Question

Ms. Dana Foster, has asked that you describe the employee situation in the division and outline a strategy to deal with it.

Create a letter to Ms. Foster providing her the information requested. Both you and Ms. Foster want to achieve the same outcome in this situation which is to take control and to successfully introduce policies that will positively affect workplace morale and behavior. Of course, to achieve this desired outcome, you must determine the source of the low employee morale, implement a strategy for dealing with bad employee attitudes, and put some workplace standards of behavior in place to rectify this situation. In addition, you must develop the management skills of the supervisors who report to you.

Using the case study below:

94-05-2 T e Eugene D. Fanning Center For Business Communication Mendoza College of Business University of Notre Dame Hayward Healthcare Systems, Inc. Bob Jackson is the new operations manager of the distribution center for Hayward Healthcare Systems, Inc., a mid-size, non-union company located in California. The Distribution Center is a $80-million-dollar-a-year operation that has 50 employees, including 15 minorities and 18 females in the work force. Jackson was transferred from another operations position in the company to fill this position because of some serious performance problems in the distribution center that had resisted all attempts at improvement. The center had experienced a very high level of defects (400 per month) and an unacceptable rate of errors in the orders taken from client hospitals. Jackson accepted the assignment knowing that top management would expect him to improve the performance of the distribution center in a relatively short period of time. Jackson's first few weeks on the job were revealing, to say the least. He discovered that the five supervisors that his predecessor had selected to lead the center's workforce had little credibility with the employees. They had each been selected on the basis of their job seniority or their friendship with the previous manager. The workforce was organized into three categories. Pickers identify supplies by code numbers in the storage area, remove packaged items from the shelves, and sort them into baskets. Drivers operate forklifts and electric trucks, moving baskets and boxes of supplies to different locations within the distribution center. Loaders transfer supplies onto and off of the forklifts and delivery trucks. The Situation Mr. Jackson Encountered Jackson found that his employees were either demoralized or had tough, belligerent attitudes toward management and other employees. Part of the problem, he soon learned, was a lax approach to background checks and prior job references. Seven employees were convicted

Answer 1

Letter to Ms. Dana Foster

Ms. Dana Foster

Hayward Healthcre Systems, Inc

California

Dear Ms. Dana Foster, I am describing the Employee situation in the Division, which needs a quick remedial Action, Through these Points-

1. The center had experienced a very high level of Defects( 400 per month) and an unacceptable rate of errors in the orders taken from client Hospitals.

2. Five of the Supervisors that were appointed by Previous Manager, Leading the Center workforce, have little credibility to the employees, worsening the situation.

3. Employees Morale is down and they have belligerent attitudes towards Management and other employees.

4. there is poor communication( Upward & Downward both) among the employees and they have the tendency to solve their conflicts on their own using abusive language, encouraged by Previous manager, who used to sit in his office & not available on floor to solve the conflicts among the employees.

5. There is creed discrimination on the center floor, the only black employee was discriminated by the white employees over listening of particular music while working.

Now I am Proposing a Solution for all the above stated Problems-

1. We need to develop a Fool Proof system for Order Receiving & Dispatch to Minimize the defects. for this we can use a Capable and Compatible WMS( warehouse management system) & checklists while dispatching the orders.

2. We must have a stiff Background check for every new employee, entering the Center, for their conduct & level of skill.

3. Their must be regular meetings/Events to Boost up the Morale of the Employees.

4. The Comunication must be Proper & Employees must be well informed that their Pleas will be Listened and solved.

5. Every Employee must be well informed about the Company Policy that No choice of Music at workplace.the Supervisors should be Provided their duties & Responsiblities in written, clearly mentioning their KEY RESULT AREAS( KRA's) and KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS(KPI's). there must be a performance appraisal every quarter. there is also a need to introduce some training sessions for the supervisors for effective Supervision.

I am sure that if we will undertake the above mentioned measures, will bring the desired performance improvement.

thanks & Regards