Ten years ago, you started working as a clerk for DMD Medical Supplies. Six months ago, Liz Jakowski, the human
resources director, promoted you to office manager. You manage two employees: Jack Snyder and Ruth Disselkoen. Your office provides secretarial support for the four members
of the executive team. Two years ago, Liz had assigned Jack to support Ralph Alane and Jessica Hilo. Ruth was assigned to Samuel Daley and Frank Daley. The work flow was equally balanced.
You’ve noticed that in the last three months Ruth has cut her breaks short to complete her work, complains of being tired, and at least twice a month requires overtime hours costing
the company an additional $200 a month. In the last three weeks, Frank Daley has complained to you a few times about
the poor quality of Ruth’s work.
On the other hand, over the last three months, Jack frequently seems to have little to do. He has begun coming in late a couple times a week and taking more than the allotted break times. What work he does have, however, is always professionally completed.
Although you don’t have the authority to change the work assignments of the two administrative assistants or the
executive team, you clearly need to change your office assignments so that both Jack and Ruth work regularly
without requiring overtime.
Section 1
• Facts and figures that define the problem (the cause)
• Details that show the impact of the problem (effects) on
Jack, Ruth, and the company
Section 2
• The steps needed to change the situation
• Reason to implement each step, including the benefits
to your employees, your supervisor, and the company
• Information about your role in the change
This is what I have so far:
For the past three months, work-related problems have occurred in the office and need to be addressed. Before Jessica Hilo’s medical leave, the workload was equally divided. There were no problems with the quality or amount of work being given, and there were no overtime expenses. Jack Snyder, a full-time assistant, works for Jessica and Ralph Alane. Ruth Disselkoen, a part-time assistant, works for Samuel Daley and Frank Daley. Because of Jessica’s absence, her work has temporarily been assigned to Ralph and Frank. As a result, the workload is no longer equally divided. Lately I have noticed that Jack has less work to do, has been tardy a few times, and takes longer breaks then permitted. However, the work that he does have is professionally done, as before. Ruth has been working overtime to maintain the workload, costing the company $200 each month. She clearly shows signs of being overtired and overworked, causing her quality of work to be less than satisfactory. We need to confront these issues to save on overtime costs and distribute the workload equally.
Since were not sure when Jessica is returning to work, we need to modify Jack and Ruth’s workload temporarily. My suggestion would be for Jack and Ruth to exchange jobs for the time being. This would equally distribute the workload, cut the overtime, increase job performance, and minimize stress for everyone in the company. We should implement this plan for at least three weeks. By then, we should have an idea if Jessica is returning to work, and then we can determine if we need to replace her or to continue with this arrangement.
3 answers
"and minimize stress for everyone in the company."
resources director, promoted you to office manager. You manage two employees: Jack Snyder and Ruth Disselkoen. Your office provides secretarial support for the four members
of the executive team. Two years ago, Liz had assigned Jack to support Ralph Alane and Jessica Hilo. Ruth was assigned to Samuel Daley and Frank Daley. The work flow was equally balanced.
You’ve noticed that in the last three months Ruth has cut her breaks short to complete her work, complains of being tired, and at least twice a month requires overtime hours costing
the company an additional $200 a month. In the last three weeks, Frank Daley has complained to you a few times about
the poor quality of Ruth’s work.
On the other hand, over the last three months, Jack frequently seems to have little to do. He has begun coming in late a couple times a week and taking more than the allotted break times. What work he does have, however, is always professionally completed.
Although you don’t have the authority to change the work assignments of the two administrative assistants or the
executive team, you clearly need to change your office assignments so that both Jack and Ruth work regularly
without requiring overtime.
Section 1
• Facts and figures that define the problem (the cause)
• Details that show the impact of the problem (effects) on
Jack, Ruth, and the company
Section 2
• The steps needed to change the situation
• Reason to implement each step, including the benefits
to your employees, your supervisor, and the company
• Information about your role in the change
9 answers