Discussion:
Beverly
If forecasting is rarely exact, why should a firm bother doing it? How can contingent employees help an organization prepare for anticipated surpluses or shortages of workers?
Phillips, J. M., & Gully, S. M. (2015). Strategic staffing (3rd ed., Pg. 118-121, 131-13). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Student:
Sonia
Utilizing forecasting is important for a firm because it helps allign the staffing process more evenly. Forecasting should be considered as another tool in business, not a task. Forecasting can be thought of as drafting or even estimating. Just because forecasting is not exact most of the time, that doesn't mean that it is totally useless either. Phillips, & Gully, (2015), actually noted that by utilizing the forecasting process, a business is more likely to gain a greater competitve advantage (p.138). Contingent employees can help an organization prepare for anticipated surpluses or shortages of workers by being the first ones to be eliminated instead of the business having to layoff the dedicated employees that are contracted (Phillips, & Gully, 2015, p. 133).
References:
Phillips, J.M., & Gully, S. M. (2015). Strategic staffing (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.