2.2 – Working practices Employment and ICT

Introduction Rapid developments in ICT have had a dramatic effect on modern society. It has led to the development of new ways of working: Home working or tele-working Remote working Despite these developments ICT has caused the loss of many jobs in society

Many jobs have been lost because: In a factory, skilled technicians and machinists can be replaced by computer- controlled robots which can work faster, for longer and more consistently. In a warehouse, many loading and sorting jobs have been replaced by a few staff running a computer-controlled warehouse.

In a shop, stock control staff can be replaced by automated with bar- code readers recording items entering the building and being sold.

In an office, many typists can be replaced by one person using a word processor. In a car park, the car park attendant can be replaced by automatic ticket machines and barriers using control technology.

Many jobs have been created because: Computerization has created many new jobs or radically changed existing jobs. For example: Engineers are needed to build the new computerized machines. Programmers are needed to write the new programs that the computers run. Systems analysts are needed to design the new computerized systems. Skilled workers are needed to operate the new computerized machinery. Skilled workers are needed to use new software such as graphics packages, web-design software and CAD programs.

Many jobs have changed because: People may work fewer hours as a result of the increased efficiency of automation and the introduction of ICT into their workplace. This has therefore led to an increase in leisure time. New skills are needed to use the computer software and hardware. Pupils who gain ICT skills during their education, as well as staff who are prepared to retrain, are well placed to take advantage of the new forms of employment. Many professional jobs can now be done by amateurs using a home computer. For example photographic editing, video editing and sound editing. Students can educate themselves more easily due to the huge amount of educational software resources and information now available, much of it interactive and allowing then to self-assess. Employees can have more job satisfaction because the jobs involving some aspect of ICT generally require higher skill levels and may therefore be less boring.

Teleworking Teleworking usually means working from home, using ICT to communicate with your workplace. Allowing staff to work at home on either a full or part- time basis can bring a range of business benefits from increased productivity and greater staff motivation to more effective use of your premises. Home working also widens the base from which you can recruit, boosting your chances of recruiting successfully.

Teleworking equipment A teleworker would need the following equipment: A computer (essential) Internet access (essential, broadband speeds would be needed if using video-conferencing) facilities (essential) A fax machine to send images of documents over a phone line (optional, computer software could be used instead) Videoconferencing equipment such as a microphone, speakers and a video camera (optional, required for online meetings etc.)

Remote Working The teleworker does not actually have to be based at home, a journalist for example could be anywhere in the world and still get his article or photographs into the next day newspapers if he had Internet access to transfer his files. This is Remote – working This is where people work at a distance from the main office, for example a traveling salesman. They would use a range of portable communication devices to help them: PDA’’s, mobiles, laptops with wireless technology

What the employer must consider Possible advantages: Offices can be relocated to places where it is cheaper, more attractive or more convenient for transport links etc. Less staff in the office means office running costs and overheads for utilities such as water, heating and electricity can be reduced. Less staff in the office means premises can be smaller, saving building costs and reducing business rates. Problems with staff commuting into work might be reduced. Possible disadvantages: There will be less direct control over the staff. Difficulty in monitoring the quality and quantity of work done by employees Replacing consumables (paper / printer toner etc.) will be less efficient. There may be less of a 'company ethos' because staff don't meet in person

What the employee must consider Possible advantages: They can work from the comfort of their own home. There are no travel costs or time wasted travelling to work. The way they work through the day is up to them and this can reduce stress levels. There is great flexibility with the working hours so they can fit around the needs of children or elderly/infirm relatives or another job for example. Possible disadvantages: Teamwork is more difficult because the opportunity to meet people and share ideas is more limited. Distractions at home may make it difficult to get on with work. They can feel very isolated from their work colleagues. They end up paying the heating and lighting bills etc. when the house might otherwise be empty.