As a consultant in organisational development, Batho Pele Dot Com has tasked you to provide advice for changes and intervention. Batho Pele Dot Com is currently characterized by a bureaucratic management style and rigid structures, and its managers are mostly male. Following the new labour legislation, quite a number of employees were suddenly retrenched, the reason for the retrenchment is said to be finances. Following retrenchments, a number of employees from previously disadvantaged groups have been selected and placed in the production-line vacancies. However, there are still a number of positions vacant. Older employees have complained about discrimination and selection strategies.

Question

According to supervisors, production deadlines and targets are not achieved, and new employees are expected to work without having the minimum qualifications and required training. The Human Resource manager indicates that the mood amongst employees is negative, and lateness, illness, complaints, and personnel turnover are increasing. Some employees have already had meetings and threatened to take further action if management does not resign or listen.

Questions:

.1. Identify five problems experienced by Batho Pele Dot Com. (5)

2.2 Describe five I-O Psychology specialist that will be applicable for any five problems as identified in 2.1. Indicate which specialist will be responsible for specific problem.

Answer 1

1. Problems experienced by Batho Pele Dot Com:

a) Bureaucratic management style and rigid structures
b) Gender imbalance in management positions
c) Unfair retrenchment practices
d) Discrimination and selection issues for older employees
e) Inadequate training and qualifications for new employees

2. I-O Psychology specialists applicable for the identified problems:

a) Organizational development specialist: Responsible for addressing the bureaucratic management style and rigid structures by implementing changes to enhance flexibility, employee involvement, and organizational culture.

b) Diversity and inclusion specialist: Responsible for addressing the gender imbalance in management positions by implementing policies and practices to promote gender diversity and equity.

c) Retrenchment and workforce planning specialist: Responsible for ensuring fair and transparent retrenchment practices, including proper identification of genuine financial constraints and adherence to labor legislation.

d) Age diversity specialist: Responsible for addressing discrimination and selection issues for older employees by developing policies and practices to promote inclusion and equal opportunities for all age groups.

e) Training and development specialist: Responsible for addressing the inadequate training and qualifications for new employees by designing and implementing training programs to ensure they have the necessary skills to meet production deadlines and targets.