Which term describes the trend in using less core staff and more peripheral workers (i.e., part-time staff & consultants) and subcontractors; these structures improve the flexibility of the workforce?

Which term describes the trend in using less core staff and more peripheral workers (i.e., part-time staff & consultants) and subcontractors; these structures improve the flexibility of the workforce?

• A. Flexible Work Patterns
• B. CPD
• C. Contract of Employment
• D. Gross Misconduct

Answer: (A)

Flexible work patterns focus on arranging the workforce so that core staff are complemented by peripheral workers—part-time employees, consultants, subcontractors—to quickly adjust capacity and skills as needed. This setup makes the organization more responsive and able to scale up or down without the burden of high fixed costs. The trend described—fewer core staff and more peripheral workers to boost flexibility—fits this idea best. CPD is about ongoing learning, a contract of employment is a formal legal document, and gross misconduct relates to disciplinary issues, none of which capture the idea of structuring the workforce for adaptability.

Flexible work patterns focus on arranging the workforce so that core staff are complemented by peripheral workers—part-time employees, consultants, subcontractors—to quickly adjust capacity and skills as needed. This setup makes the organization more responsive and able to scale up or down without the burden of high fixed costs. The trend described—fewer core staff and more peripheral workers to boost flexibility—fits this idea best. CPD is about ongoing learning, a contract of employment is a formal legal document, and gross misconduct relates to disciplinary issues, none of which capture the idea of structuring the workforce for adaptability.