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OCR H446 1.5.2 Workforce and effects on different groups

Part 1 of 9 · H446 1.5.2 · Moral and ethical issues

OCR H446 1.5.2 rewards answers that trace how a system change reaches particular people, not broad claims that automation removes jobs. Using automated warehouse scheduling and bus dispatch, students identify the task that changes, explain the effects on different groups and judge how the change should be introduced.

Students will:

  • identify the task changed by an automated system before explaining its effects
  • identify the distinct stakeholder groups affected by one workforce change
  • explain an opportunity and a risk for the same group without treating them as opposites
  • discuss the effects of an automated public service on workers, users and the wider community
  • recommend how a workforce change should be introduced and justify that recommendation

Inside: 5 explanation cells, 1 multiple-choice question, 2 fill-in-the-blanks cells and 2 written answers. 26 marks, about 20 to 40 minutes.

Series: H446 1.5.2 · Moral and ethical issues, part 1 of 9.

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 10 cells
  • About 30 minutes
  • CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shared 31 Aug 2026
  • Updated 3 Sept 2026

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Workforce and effects on different groups

This worksheet explores how computing can change tasks, jobs and working conditions for employees, employers, customers and communities. When a question asks about the effects of computing on the workforce, a strong answer explains exactly what changes, who is affected and why the effect matters.

How one change can affect people differently

How one change affects different groupsone change can affect groups differentlyautomated schedulingWORKERSfairer shifts?less control?appeal routeEMPLOYERless admin?wrong decisions?human reviewCUSTOMERSfaster service?lower quality?service standardCOMMUNITYnew skilled jobs?local job losses?training/supportchange → person or group → what happens → why it matters

Computing may remove repetitive tasks, change job roles, create specialised work, enable remote work or increase productivity. It may also remove some jobs, increase monitoring, reduce workers’ control or widen skill and pay gaps. The same change can help one group and create a problem for another.

For each developed point, ask: What changed? Who is affected? What happens next? Why does that matter? In a discussion, also consider another view or a way to reduce a problem before reaching a conclusion.

Worked example: automated warehouse scheduling

A system predicts demand and assigns shifts.

  • Employer: managers spend less time preparing rotas, so administration costs may fall.
  • Customers: better staffing at busy times could make deliveries faster.
  • Workers: shifts may become more predictable. However, if the system only tries to cut staffing costs, it may create last-minute changes that make childcare difficult.

Advance notice rules and a human appeal route could keep the efficiency benefit while reducing the harm.

Multiple choice1 mark

Which answer best explains an effect of the scheduling system on workers?

  • AIt may issue last-minute shifts to cut staffing costs, making childcare harder for some workers
  • BIt may issue shifts automatically, so every worker will receive exactly the hours they want
  • CIt may save managers time, so workers will no longer need training for changed job roles
  • DIt may use demand data, so its decisions will always be fair and accurate
Fill in the blanks4 marks
Automation may change or remove a job gap 1, create a need for new gap 2, increase workplace gap 3, or allow work to be completed more gap 4.
  • task
  • skills
  • monitoring
  • efficiently
  • copyright
Written answer8 marks

A college replaces first-line IT support with a chatbot. Choose two groups affected by the change. For each group, explain one benefit and one drawback.

Write four developed points. For each point, name the group, explain what happens and say why it matters in this college.

Students type their answer here.

Apply the ideas independently

The next task uses a new context and gives you less support. Explain each step of your answer clearly.

Written answer9 marks

A town automates bus dispatch and ticket checks. Discuss how the change could affect people and organisations in the town. Recommend how it should be introduced.

Use details from the scenario. Develop benefits and drawbacks for relevant groups such as drivers, passengers, the operator or the wider community. Finish with a supported conclusion.

Students type their answer here.

Fill in the blanks4 marks
Automation does not always remove a whole job. It may first change a job checkpoint gap 1, require workers to learn new checkpoint gap 2, increase workplace checkpoint gap 3, or alter working checkpoint gap 4.

Review your responses

Check that you followed each command word and used every important detail in the question. Add any missing explanation or evidence before submitting.