Assignment
Case Scenario I
Marion Stevens is the Administrative Assistant for the Executive Team in the Head Office of Bounce Fitness. Marion is an efficient 'superstar'. She has the practical skills to juggle and successfully complete several tasks in less than expected time and to a very high caliber. She was so good, in fact, that she was promoted to department manager in her previous company after only two years on the job. She has been at Bounce Fitness for ten months. She has implemented two procedural changes that have streamlined the work and resulted in cost savings for the company.
She reports jointly to the three General Mangers but her main interests are in the systems. The Executive General Managers are concerned about Marion, despite her obvious talents. There is no denying that she has had a positive impact in Head Office, but Marion is not fitting in so well. Marion is a poor communicator and seems to have alienated quite a few of her peers and Centre Managers as well as their teams.
She is often aloof and distant, and her usual way of motivating performance is to simply dictate what will be done and expect compliance with her orders. She has good ideas but has little ability to present them well or to work as part of a team.
You are the General Manager Human Resources and have agreed with the other General Managers that you should coach Marion.
Read the above scenario and answer the questions below:
• How would you approach her and what would you say?
• What issues would you work with her on?
• How can general manager ensure a positive work environment in the above situation?
Case Scenario II:
Gina has been late frequently and absent from office over last couple of months. In lunchroom conversations with her peers, she talks openly about looking for other jobs. Her manager Matt has tried to address this issue and general lack of performance with Gina a number of times. They had few formal and informal conversations previously. Gina denies that there is a problem. But it is clear that she is not happy with her job.
Today she arrived two hours late at job, Matt drafted a letter of dismissal and sacked Gina.
Read the above scenario and answer the questions below:
• Do you think it is appropriate? Give reasons.
• Imagine yourself in Matt's position; write what you should have done in that case?
• Identify the ethical aspects in this scenario.
• On what possible reason/s an employee can be lawfully terminated?
Case Scenario III:
John Burke is considerably younger than most of the people he supervises. He has a degree, and is physically-fit. Right out of college he went to work for Bounce fitness Melbourne Centre in and on-the-job training program with an eye toward becoming a Centre Manager. John learned well and was promoted to Assistant Manager in just under a year. He is not only younger than anyone he supervises; he is better educated, too.
Read the above scenario and answer the questions below:
• How can he become a good supervisor of his older and more experienced workers?
• Explain the significance of empowerment in this scenario?