Leading
Read critically and analyze the following scenario:
Biotech has always told workers that they want to keep people in the Biotech family. The company encourages employees to get additional training and will pay for college tuition for those who want to advance their career opportunities within the company.
During the course of production older line staffers became aware that the pharmaceutically trained line workers made $3.00 more per hour than they did. The workers were unhappy. They felt that it was unfair that Biotech hired from outside rather than provide training to existing workers who would want to take over the jobs and earn the extra salary. An obvious concern began to surface among the workers. Several of the workers questioned whether Biotech is being truthful with them and wonder whether they will really help the workers advance in the company. Morale of plant workers began to suffer. One floor supervisor told Luis that one of his workers refused to help develop a new process that would increase the speed of moving the pallets on the new floor scheme. He said, “Why should I help Biotech make more money if I don’t get any of the money?” Luis knows that this concern must be addressed and morale needs to be improved. Luis also knows that only HR in headquarters can make decisions regarding benefits so he cannot offer pay raises. Luis wonders what he can do to motivate workers and build trust in the production department.
Task 1: Identify and discuss the reasons for the morale problem;
Task 2: Discuss specific ways Luis can motivate his existing employees that will build morale while ensuring production levels stay on track for the current contracts and the new project;
Task 3: What critical factor could interfere with Luis’ attempt to build morale?