DISCUSSION QUESTION 1
One day, after a meeting at Howell Products, two new members of the Board of Directors decided they would stay for lunch. Their host, Ken Fleming, President, who is very proud of this dining facility even though it is only a cafeteria, suggested they try the luncheon special, Salisbury steak. Since it looked good, they both selected it along with potatoes, salad, and pie. Unfortunately, when they began to eat, one of the Board members found a portion of a cigarette butt in his mashed potatoes. The President obviously embarrassed, picked up the plate and immediately took it into the kitchen and showed it to Bill Poff, the cafeteria manager. Ken the ordered a new lunch for the Board member and returned to the table where he apologized for what had happened.
Howell Products had addressed the subject of smoking in the kitchen by conspicuously posting a sign which says, "NO SMOKING" on the one of the walls. They had also informed all employees regarding the rule and made clear that anyone violating the rule would received a written reprimand for the first offense. Interestingly, of the eight employees who were working in the kitchen at the time of the incident, only one, Ronald Burke, is a regular smoker. Of course, other employees in the company smoke when they enter the cafeteria to eat or to take coffee breaks. Ronald has a good record with the company although he has only worked there for six months. His job is that of Assistant Cook, and he has the responsibility of preparing meats, desserts, and vegetables including mashed potatoes.
1. What are the issues/ problems here?
2. What actions should Ken, the President, take with regard to this incident?
3. What action should Bill, the cafeteria manager, take with regard to this incident?
DISCUSSION QUESTION 2
Joe was employed by a manufacturing firm as a general laborer. His specific area of work was on the yard crew. This crew did various odd jobs, mostly occurring outside the shop, ranging from loading trucks to cutting or spraying grass and weeds. The company was located on the main street of a small mid-western town.
Joe was in the habit of removing his shirt while working in the summer months. There were no official regulations or policies regarding dress on the job, but Joe's foreman had on several occasions told Joe to put on his shirt. The foreman was well known for his religious dedication and firmly believed that unnecessary exposure of the body was inappropriate.
On each of the occasions, Joe had argued that there were no regulations against wearing a shirt and the reluctantly put his shirt back on. During the middle of the summer, Joe's foreman requested that Joe be transferred inside the shop due to insubordination regarding decency on the job. The next day, he was transfered to the inside job.
1. What are the issues/ problems here?
2. Evaluate the foreman's actions in this case.
3. What course of action would you recommend that Joe take now?
DISCUSSION QUESTION 3
Read the law in the "Reducing Employee Theft and Dishonesty". State the law. How does this law help/hurt the workforce? Is this law still necessary? Why?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.