workforce planning

• What is the primary goal of workforce planning?

  To predict the future demand for different types of staff and match it with supply
• What does workforce planning ensure regarding workers?

  That there will be the right number of workers, with the right skills, doing the right jobs, at the right time and in the right place
• How can a comparison between the present workforce and the desired future workforce be useful?

  It highlights shortages, surpluses, and skills gaps
• What is a skills audit?

  A process to assess the skills and experience of the current workforce
• What should be done if skills gaps are identified in the workforce audit?

  Focus on developing a detailed workforce plan to address those gaps
• What does a workforce plan aim to develop and implement?

  Strategies that will build the relevant skills and capacity needed for business success
• What are some internal reasons for long-term staffing problems?

  Staff loss, retirement, training, promotion, and flexibility
• What are some external factors that can lead to staffing problems?

  Changes in population structure, government policy, the changing nature of industry, competitors, unemployment, and availability of skills
• What does workforce planning sometimes involve besides recruitment?

  Shed workers through redundancy, early retirement schemes, and natural wastage
• What is a criticism of mass redundancy schemes?

  They often lead to the departure of workers who can easily find new jobs, leaving less marketable skills behind
• What can early retirement schemes result in for a business?

  The loss of experienced managers whose skills will be lost forever
• What are the main factors that influence workforce planning?

  • Business objectives (e.g., increasing output, opening new branches)
  • Labour market changes (e.g., trends affecting recruitment and retention)
  • Demographic and social change (e.g., ageing population)
  • Technological change (e.g., automation reducing demand for certain labor)
• How does workforce planning help businesses manage staffing costs?

  By anticipating changes in employment expenditure
• What role does workforce planning play in employee training and development?

  It ensures that sufficient and appropriate training and development is provided
• How does workforce planning help businesses cope with fluctuations in supply and demand for skills?

  By managing peaks and troughs in supply and demand
• What is one benefit of effective workforce planning regarding employee turnover?

  It helps to reduce employee turnover
• How does workforce planning contribute to customer service?

  By delivering an improved service to customers
• What is one of the goals of implementing diversity policies through workforce planning?

  To create a more inclusive workplace
• What are the discussion themes related to workforce planning?

  • What is a skills audit?
  • Discuss the statement: ‘Workforce planning is only needed by big businesses.’
  • Explain why Barclays is cutting its workforce and the consequences of a radical workforce plan.