Assignment Task:
If you are a middle manager in an organization that is implementing a downsizing program. You have a team of five staff, and you have been told to decide which two of them will be retrenched.
The Staff
Dan has been with the company for 25 years - always a loyal and dependable employee. His performance is a little below average, but his knowledge of the company is unbeatable. He is always prepared to train and mentor others.
Mary's work performance has been suffering in the last six months since the death of her husband. She is now the sole provider for four children and is struggling to balance the demands of work and family. She recognizes that her work has not been as good as it was previously but has promised you that things will change.
Michael has consistently been the top performer of the group. Young, single and ruthlessly ambitious he does what it takes to get things done. You have heard from an unofficial but reliable source that he is about to be offered a significant pay increase to take a job with one of your competitors.
Phillip's performance has always been above average. He does, however, have a very abrasive character and is constantly upsetting his work mates, who complain regularly to you about him.
Anne has been an employee for only 2 months. So far, her performance seems to be satisfactory, but she hasn't been employed long enough for you to know if and how she will develop in the future.
Both of them were perform the same job and the instruction you receive from your manager is that you need to select the two poorest performers.
Questions:
1. Consider and decide which two members of staff you will select for retrenchment.
2. How would you account for your decision as ethical and/or just?