Question

CARTER CLEANING COMPANY (10 Points)

Guaranteeing Fair Treatment

Being in the laundry and cleaning business, the Carters have always felt strongly about not allowing employees to smoke, eat, or drink in their stores. Jennifer was therefore surprised to walk into a store and find two employees eating lunch at the front counter. There was a large pizza in its box, and the two of them were sipping colas and eating slices of pizza and submarine sandwiches off paper plates. Not only did it look messy, but there were grease and soda spills on the counter and the store smelled from onions and pepperoni, even with the exhaust fan pulling air out through the roof. In addition to being a turnoff to customers, the mess on the counter increased the possibility that a customer’s order might actually become soiled in the store.

Although this was a serious matter, neither Jennifer nor her father felt that what the counter people were doing was grounds for immediate dismissal, partly because the store manager had apparently condoned their actions. The problem was, they didn’t know what to do. It seemed to them that the matter called for more than just a warning but less than dismissal.

Questions

1.      What would you do if you were Jennifer, and why?

2.      Should a disciplinary system be established at Carter Cleaning Company? If yes, why? If not, why?

Answer 1

1a.

I will certainly give these employees a strict punishment so that they understand the severity of their mistake.

I will possibly suspend them for a week to set an example to all other employees, and such a mistake doesn't retake the place.

1b.

The manager clearly showed an irresponsible attitude in this case.

He should be given a chance to clarify whether he was aware of these activities or not.

If proven wrong, he should be punished because a manager is responsible for leading the complete team.

2.

As you have seen, such carelessness is happening in Carter Cleaning. Thus, a disciplinary system must be established so that such incidents don't happen again.

Also, the system will constantly keep employees aware of the rules of the organization.

3.

The system should keep a check that employees are regularly made aware of the rules and regulations.

They should keep posting these rules on the notice board and other areas.

In such a situation, this system should be well equipped to judge whether only the employees or managers also were equally responsible for such mistakes.