FND3004 - Analyzing the Changing Nature of Working Practices in the UK

This essay examines the evolution of working practices in the UK since the Industrial Revolution, highlighting significant shifts from manual labor to mechanized systems, technological advancements, and changes in employment rates. It discusses the initial challenges faced by workers, including poor working conditions and unequal opportunities, and contrasts them with modern improvements such as HR management, employee training, and adherence to health and safety regulations. The essay also touches on the impact of technology, e-commerce, and evolving management practices on the current working landscape, concluding that these changes have positively contributed to the UK's economic development. Desklib offers a wide range of resources, including past papers and solved assignments, to support students in their studies.

Changing nature of
working practices in
the UK

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Essay.......................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES:...............................................................................................................................8
Books and Journals.................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
The business environment is dynamic and it keeps on changing. There are certain
changes that take place in environment and then it impacts the business operations (Mitch, 2018).
In UK, there are several changes that have undertaken since industrial revolution. The changes
are mentioned in the essay.
MAIN BODY
Essay
Industrial revolution began in 1780s in Britain. Before the revolution, most of the work
was done manually by the people. There were lack of technology and the people used to do each
and every thing by their own. The industrial revolution has bring several changes that resulted in
economic development in Britain. There is need to understand that the taste and preference of
customers was also different at that time as compared to now (Hirschi, 2018). The transition
includes going from hand production methods to machines, the increasing use of steam power
and water power, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes, the development
of machine tools and the rise of the mechanized factory system. It is seen that, the employment
rate also enhanced and the reason for same is revolution. The major changes were seen in textile
industry as they were dominant player in providing employment. They used modern production
techniques that enhanced the output and the capital that is invested. The industrial revolution
includes series of shifts in traditional practices of manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation,
as well as the development of new mechanical technologies in the western culture. The manual
and animal based work was then shifted towards a system of machines to manufacture. One of
the major development was related to steam power and metal tools that facilitates the working
and enhanced the capacity.
There were various technological and architectural innovations were of British origin. It
was a turning point for the nation and had influence on life of people. It helped to bring
sustainable growth. This enhanced the living standard of the people and new opportunities were
used by people (Skilton and Hovsepian, 2018). There were new and undated technology being
used. The people are now able to get access to all the things via online mode and that was not
possible beforehand. The development of trade is result of Industrial revolution. The GDP of the
nation has also become stable due to growth in the operations. It is necessary to work effectively

and use the new and innovative ways of working so that goals and objectives can be attained. In
the starting there were problems being faced by the individuals in getting job. At that time, there
was high unemployment being faced by people of Britain. There are now changes seen in the
rate of employment. As per the Office of the National Statistics, there were highest number of
individuals employed. The vacancy of job is also enhancing with the increase in demand for the
products and services.
It is analysed that there were no proper ways to take care of health of the employees. The
individuals were facing various challenges at the time of job. The women employees were not
give opportunity to carry on the work. They were said to remain at home and do he work for
family. They were not allowed to walk out of their homes and do job as there were certain issues
in doing jobs. The employees used to face stress and unable to work in proper manner due to the
situation of the nation. There were financial problems being faced by the family but still the
women were not allowed to work. The men were also facing stress at workplace and there were
no plans and procedures being followed at that time. The major reason of unhealthy workplace is
stress (Xu, David and Kim, 2018). But at this time, after revolution there is proper management
being observed in the organisation. It is seen that there is HR being hired to take care of the
employees in the company. There are several issues that are being faced by the employees and
now they are able to get the solution by the HR of the organisation. There is need to manage the
stress of the employees so that the employees are loyal for the company. The changes are in
working pattern. Now it is important to provide training to the employees regarding the new and
innovative technology. Also, continuous training is being provided to the employees so that they
are able to enhance their skills and knowledge. The companies are now focusing on the
employees and their needs. The laws and legislations related to health and safety of employees,
equality act are being followed after industrial revolution.
It is also seen that, the salary being given to the employees was also low. This was the
reason of social gap being faced by the people of UK. The retail sector employees were not
satisfied with the salary. The needs of the employees were not satisfied with the salary that is
being offered to them (Gleason, 2018). The poverty was also a major issue. After industrial
revolution, more and more people were provided employment and the poverty rate also reduced.
The salary is being provided to the employees according to their work now. This helps them to
reduce the social gap and get good pay for the work that they are doing. The benefits were seen

by the middle class society as well. They got the advantages of economic development. It is seen
that all this impacted the working of employees as well. The increase in employment
opportunities lead to success of the sector. There is overall development of city and it was
converted into modern city. At that time the factories were not in good condition and there were
unethical practices being observed by the employees.
There is now change being observed in the pattern of working. As employees are now
provided training this helps them to complete the work in effective manner (Bednar and Welch,
2020). This helps the employees to be motivated and use their skills in better manner To achieve
the goals and objectives of the organisation. The laws and legislations are being followed by the
company in all the sectors that is also beneficial for the employees. The employees are now
treated as human asset of the company and it is necessary to treat them effectively. The proper
working environment is being provided to the employees and it results in safety and success of
the employees. It is important to treat the employees in better way that satisfied their needs and
wants. There are necessary changes being observed due to industrial revolution. The more
opportunities are being provided to the employees and that is advantageous for company and
their employees. There is use of technology that has facilitated the working pattern of the
workforce.
The technological changes were being observed by the nation. There were inequalities
due to use of technology. It is seen that, there is need to use latest technology so that better
objectives can be attained. The use of technology helps them to change the pattern of work and
enhance the production (Carvalho and et.al., 2018). It has enhanced the ease in work and now
most of the work can be done with the help of technology. The work is now divided the
employees and they are able to carry on the the activity in effective manner. The use of resources
is also done in proper manner so that success of business can be attained. The changes in interest
rate were also being observed. This also has impact on the working of the business organisation.
It is now seen, that most of the people are self employed. They have understood that the real
growth can be attained by starting own business. Several benefits are being given by government
to the people so that they are able to attain goals and objectives properly. It also leads to
economic development and this also changes the pattern of working. The students in UK also got
the jobs and were earning at the time they are working. In the past time, only old people were
able to get the job.

The management pattern is now changed. The business organisation now follow the
process and steps of proper management that would result in success of the company. There is
need of taking proper care of the employees so that they are able to complete the work in proper
manner (Martinelli, Mina and Moggi, 2021). The work is being divided in smaller activities as it
facilitates them to competed the task. Now the computer skills of the employees are being
developed so that they are able to carry on the goals and objectives successfully. The skill
enhancement of the employees help them to carry on the work properly. The use of best skills
will help the company to get the goals and objectives in proper manner. The success of the
business organisation leads to more contribution to economic growth. The rise in e-commerce is
seen at this time. The use of latest technology has made it easy for companies to use
digitalisation. It has enhanced the awareness among people and indirectly the sales of the
company also rise. The needs and wants of the customer's keep on changing and the demand for
online shopping is enhanced. The people are spending most of the time on digital media and it is
an opportunity for the businesses at this point of time. The level of working is also changing. The
employees are now ready to carry on the work in proper manner (Griffin, 2018). It is necessary
for the company to cooperate and satisfy the needs and wants of the employees. Now, the use of
machines is enhancing and at this time there is need of proper training being given to the
employees. The education level of the individuals is also enhancing and it will have positive
impact on their knowledge. The same has impact on the reduction of inequalities so that success
of the company can be attained. The changes are going in positive direction and all this will
contribute to GDP of nation. The economic uncertainty has encouraged the workers to work
effectively at their jobs. The increase in level of competition is also being observed by the
company and it assist them to carry on the work properly. They are getting good wages that will
benefit them to work without any issue and satisfy their basic needs in effective manner. The
industrial revolution has made new and effective changes in the economy (Madsen, Robertson
and Ye, 2019). The people are getting good job, the nature of work is changing, the use of
technology is enhanced so that work can be done properly. There is development seen in the
market and that is the result of revolution.

CONCLUSION
From the above report, it is concluded that the business environment is dynamic and it
keeps of changing. It is necessary to meet the changes to be successful in the market. The essay
discussed the changes in working style of people after industrial revolution. The changes are
positive and they have changed in the working style of the nation. The use of all the changes in
the economic condition are beneficial for the success of the nation. The use of updated
technology and proper training to the employees assist them to operate effectively.

REFERENCES:
Books and Journals
Bednar, P.M. and Welch, C., 2020. Socio-technical perspectives on smart working: Creating
meaningful and sustainable systems. Information Systems Frontiers, 22(2), pp.281-298.
Carvalho, N and et.al., 2018. Manufacturing in the fourth industrial revolution: A positive
prospect in sustainable manufacturing. Procedia Manufacturing, 21, pp.671-678.
Gleason, N.W., 2018. Higher education in the era of the fourth industrial revolution (p. 229).
Springer Nature.
Griffin, E., 2018. A short history of the British industrial revolution. Macmillan International
Higher Education.
Hirschi, A., 2018. The fourth industrial revolution: Issues and implications for career research
and practice. The career development quarterly, 66(3), pp.192-204.
Madsen, J.B., Robertson, P.E. and Ye, L., 2019. Malthus was right: Explaining a millennium of
stagnation. European Economic Review, 118,
Martinelli, A., Mina, A. and Moggi, M., 2021. The enabling technologies of industry 4.0:
Examining the seeds of the fourth industrial revolution. Industrial and Corporate
Change, 30(1), pp.161-188.
Mitch, D., 2018. The role of education and skill in the British industrial revolution. In The British
Industrial Revolution (pp. 241-279). Routledge.
Skilton, M. and Hovsepian, F., 2018. The 4th industrial revolution. Springer Nature.
Xu, M., David, J.M. and Kim, S.H., 2018. The fourth industrial revolution: Opportunities and
challenges. International journal of financial research, 9(2), pp.90-95.