Making Hotplates

1. What changes in the work situation might account for the increase in productivity and the decrease in controllable rejects? The changes in the work situation that might account for the increase in productivity and the subsequent decrease in controllable defects are the redesign of the work flow and the increase in the work responsibility assigned to each worker. The redesign of the work flow allowed workers to assemble a unit of the hotplate instead of only a part over and over again. This resulted to 'empowered' workers as they now feel that they own the job as shown by the declaration "Now, it is my hotplate." Given the more responsibility, the workers became more empowered and accountable with their jobs and tasks. Each worker was treated as an individual creating a hot plate instead of just a part of the process. I believe the workers gained ownership and pride in their work. The workers took something and made it their own which resulted in a better sense of self-worth and more pride in their work. With a new sense of ownership and pride, the assembly line mentality disappeared. Instead of the same old job, it became personal. The rejects declined because the workers are focused on completing the task that they are now more responsible for completing. Since the hotplate is now their piece, the workers are more precise and accurate in making a piece they can be proud of which eliminates or decreases the rejects. 2. What might account for the drop in absenteeism and the increase in morale? The changes on how the hotplates are assembled are probably the most important factor that can account for the significant drop in absenteeism and the increase in morale. This is so because as the job tasks became more complicated and allowed the workers to actually own the final output motivated the same workers to be more responsible are regards how the