Work and working lives in a changing business environment Assessment

Assessment ID/CIPD_7CO01_21_01
Work and working lives in a changing business
environment
» LEARNER INSTRUCTIONS
The assessment has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the
learning outcomes and assessment criteria for 7CO01 Work and working lives in a
changing business environment.
Each of the learning outcomes and the chosen assessment criteria for the assessment
must gain a pass outcome for you to successfully achieve the unit.
Preparation for the assessment
Before you begin the assessment please access and complete the topic essentials
videos, activities, and the assessment guide video available via your MOL virtual
learning environment (VLE).
Completing the assessment
l The assessment contains a series of tasks/questions which are clearly
referenced to the relevant assessmentcriteria.
l Refer to the generic grade descriptor grid at the end of the assessment
which outlines the requirements.
l Evidence must be provided in the main body of the assessment document. If
appendices are included, these will not be marked or moderated; however,
they may be reviewed by your assessor.
l The assessment must be completed in a professional manner (eg applying
business conventions for writing formal reports) and by using MicrosoftWord.
l The assessment must be saved as a Word document (.doc or .docx) and not
in a PDF format. Unless another format is requested within the brief,
egPowerPoint.
l An appropriate referencing system (recommended Harvard Referencing) must be used
to ensure the original source(s) of quotations or models can beverified.
l You must sign the Learner Authenticity statement (a photo or scan of
your signature is acceptable).

Please write clearly in block capitals.
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Learner surname
Learner other names
Assessor name
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Internal quality
assurer name
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Assessment start
date
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Assessment end
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Assessment
submission date
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Assessment re-
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centre marking (only
one re-submission
allowed)
» DECLARATION OF AUTHENTIFICATION

Declaration by the learner (this section must be signed—not typed—or your assessment will not be accepted)
Learner name
Learner statement of
authenticity
I can confirm
that this
assessment is
all my own work
and, where I
have used
materials from
other sources,
they have been
properly
acknowledged.
Standardisation I am
aware
my
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ment
maybe
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for
standar
disation
purpose
s on the
underst
anding
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ised.
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On behalf of MOL, I confirm
that the above mentioned
learner is registered at the
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I confirm that
l the learner’s
work was
conducted under
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assessmentbrief.
l I am satisfied that, to the best
of my knowledge, the work
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» GUIDELINE WORD COUNT AND EXPECTATIONS

You will write four answers of approximately 1,000 words to the questions posed and submit them
togetherinasingledocument.Thisconstitutesyourassessmentforthisunit.Thetotalwordcountforthe
assessment will therefore be 4,000 words +/- 10%. The bibliography or list of references is not included
in the total wordcount.
You must demonstrate within the submitted evidence (through headings and sub-headings) which
learning outcomes and assessment criteria have been cited. CIPD will be unable to moderate your work
if this is not included.
As this is a Level 7 Diploma, it is important that you are able to demonstrate not only good knowledge
and understanding of the material associated with each learning outcome, but also the ability to develop
an original argument and justify it persuasively with reference to wider reading. Examples of approaches
taken in a range of organisations are also an effective means by which to justify your arguments.
The six main criteria that CIPD requires centres to use when marking the assessments are outlined
below, but it maybe that not all these criteria are present in every question.
(1) Focus (4) Research and wider reading
(2) Depth and breadth of understanding (5) Persuasiveness and originality
(3) Strategic application and professional advice (6) Presentation and language
» WORK AND WORKING LIVES IN A CHANGING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

This unit extends understanding of the interaction between the commercial business environment and
likely future developments in the world of work, employment and the management of people. It discusses
the range of people practices that are growing in importance, including those relating to ethics and
sustainability, employee wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
» QUESTION 2
Questions will be released in line with the CIPD moderation window. MOL will notify you of the chosen questions
you need to answer within the assessment focus area of your course for your selected submission date.
Useful guidance
l Look carefully at the question and spend some time identifying exactly what isrequired.
l Setoutsomebriefnotesthatprovideyouwithastructureforyouranswer.Ifyouhavecompletedyour activities,
you can use your original work to buildon.
l Refer back to these notes and to the question as you write youranswer.
l After writing your answer, check carefully that every part, both within and between the question isanswered.
INSERT YOUR ANSWER IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW. Please ensure you include the question and
question number and copy the question prior to your answer. (The copied question text is not included in
your word count.)
(Please provide your word count at the end of your answer.)
QUESTION2: You have been asked to advise your senior management team ( SMT)about how your
organization can support the use of technology in the workplace in ways which will enhance employees’
experiences of working life. What THREE distinct points would you make? Justify your answer.
INTRODUCTION:
Business environment is constituted of internal and external environmental factors within which changes
occur and affect the overall performance of the enterprise (Möller, Nenonen and Storbacka, 2020). This changing
business environment affects employees in both, positive and negative manner. “Technology” is one of the main
external environmental factors that is almost having positive impact on businesses. The study is based on
‘Sainsbury’s’ - the second largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom. This supermarket entity utilizes
the technology to the great extent which served in managing consumers’ needs and demands by controlling the
huge data efficiently and gained customers or buyers satisfaction.
MAIN BODY:
Ways in which technology in workplace can enhance employees’ experience of working life:
Regarding technology, it can be said that in present days; employers cannot imagine their
business/professional lives without technology. Organizations whether they run at small level or large, they all
implement and make use of technologies to operate and perform their functions and get the work done from
employees in an effective manner. Additionally, it can be said that technology allows employees to be more
engaged, productive, and efficient as well.

There are several examples of technologies that companies utilize and advance to improve their business -
word processing program, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. Word processing program allow employees
to edit with ease, and they find easier in managing big and complex data.
Some effective examples of advanced technology and ways in which it can be used for improving overall
performance and productivity include: smart card, virtual reality and cloud. By making use of cloud, companies can
manage big data in an effective manner. Along with this, virtual reality can make companies able in providing
information to remote workers and employees who are working from home. It can improve productivity and sales
as well.
The ways in which technology in workplace is increasing employees’ experience such as:
Increase productivity: One of the main advantages that employees and employers can take by using
technology is improving productivity. Competition is increasing day by day and companies are thriving hard for
being in the market and employees must work longer hours for completing a lot of work and tasks, allotted to them.
But technology is the one such as cloud computing, Microsoft word, project management apps like: Asana and
others are majorly assisting them in completing their tasks expertly but also in a timely manner (Kotera and Correa
Vione, 2020). As it is known as Sainsbury’s implement internet of things and artificial intelligence. these technologies make
employees of retailer able in increasing their performance. It makes their work easier and hence increase productivity. Technology
saves workers time as it optimizes their work routine and thus employees find it easier in focusing on important
tasks at their best. By completing all tasks on time and in an easy way, they can improve their productivity and can
increase their experience thus improve their work-life balance.
Cooperative collaboration: Cloud technology is one of the best examples of an effective technology usage
that has made work easierforemployeesandhasincreasedtheirworkexperience.Thiscloudtechnologyhasopened a
world of possibilities and led to several innovative solutions for collaborative projects. Cloud technologies, IM
systems and social media platforms have paved the way for businesses to collaborate with like-minded people
cooperatively. Employees find easier in working with collaboration. Remote workers can easily get connected to
employers from around the globe by making use of this technology where they can engage customers as well. This
collaboration makes them in improving their performance and helps in satisfying needs and demands of customers.
Employees can share their files with others, they can upload files in seconds and the colleague employees’ can edit
and make changes in the shared file, all make their work less distracting and enhance their professional skills by
staying on the same page thus provide a better work experience aswell.
Improved security: Nowadays, managing information has become the crucial part of the organizational
success.Managingsensitiveandlargedataisimportantforcompaniesasitistheresponsibletomakecustomersfeel safe,
secured, and valued. In earlier days, tech savvy hackers were always ahead of the game who could easily tap into
any company’s database with ease. Into days “Data protection and GDPR” era, employees have become smarter,
and they are taking initiative in updating their systems, to save and protect the personal data from getting hacked by
hackers and make customers feel safe and secure (Moore,2018). Sainsbury’s manage big data by making use of
cloud and by using this it can make customers sure that their data is safe with them. It can improve its image and
customers;’ experience as well. Computer security software and algorithm are main examples by which employees
are protecting themselves from data breaches and theft of privacy thus increases employees work experience as
they can provide better services to customers and gain ethical sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Improve cost-management: Due to increasing competition and increasing hike, companies want to earn
more profit, and they set high profit margin, but it is possible only when they manage their money and perform all
functions in a cost-effective manner. It has become important for employers and employees to invest in the right
tools which help in reducing the workload physically. There are number of tools and technologies that are allowing
employees to save money with monitoring devices and accounting software. Some companies such as - Mint and
XpenditurehavetakentheleadinthefinancialITsectortoprovidegroupaswellasindividualswithviablesolutions to cost
management issues (Igwe, Mohamed and Azwarie, 2020).
Increase communication:Communication is another main key for organizational success. Poor and unclear
communication create several problems and barriers for employees, as workers may find hindrances in completing
their tasks with unsure information. It can increase errors and create lower self-esteem in employees. But
technologies have solved this problem and allow employees to communicate and interact with each other in an
effective and clear manner. By utilizing technologies and appropriates sources of communication, local employees
can even interact with remote workers and can provide them with detailed information that they require for
completing their jobs. It decreases errors and improves their work performance and boost confidence as well. So,
based on this, it can be said that technologies at workplace play a vital role as it increases employees’ experience
and satisfaction.