Non-Financial Rewards (SQA National 5 Business Management): Revision Note

Working practices

• Working practices describe the different ways people are employed and organised at work

  • Modern businesses often offer a variety of working patterns to meet both business needs and employee preferences

1. Full-time working

• Employees work the standard number of hours per week, usually around 35–40 hours

  • E.g., a full-time sales manager works 37.5 hours a week at a retail chain, attending team meetings and earning a full salary with benefits

• Full-time employees often receive a salary and are entitled to full benefits such as holidays, pensions and sick pay

Evaluating the use of full-time working

2. Part-time working

• Employees work fewer hours than full-time staff, often to suit personal or family needs

  • This is common in retail, hospitality and education

  • E.g. A part-time café worker works 20 hours a week, allowing time to study or manage childcare

Evaluating the use of part-time working

3. Flexible working

• Employees can choose when or where they work, as long as they complete agreed tasks or hours

  • This may include flexitime, compressed hours, or remote working

• E.g. An accountant works flexibly, starting early and finishing mid-afternoon to collect children from school

Evaluating the use of flexible working

4. Teleworking

• Employees work from home or another location away from the main workplace, using technology to communicate

  • E.g. An IT support worker uses email and video calls to help clients from home

Evaluating the use of teleworking

5. Job share

• Two people share the duties of one full-time role, splitting hours and pay

  • E.g., two HR assistants share one full-time job, each working 2.5 days per week

Evaluating the use of job share

6. Other non-financial rewards

• Non-financial rewards are the benefits employees gain that don’t involve direct payment, but still make work satisfying and rewarding

  • They help employees feel valued, trusted and involved, which can boost motivation and reduce staff turnover