Tropical Storm Charley

In August 2004, tropical storm Charley hit North Carolina and the Optima Air Filter Company. Many employees’ homes were devastated, and the firm found that it had to hire almost three completely new crews, one for each of its shifts. The problem was that the “old timers” had known their jobs so well that no one had ever bothered up job description for them. When about 30 new employees began taking their places, there was general confusion about what they should do and how they should do it.

The storm quickly became old news to the firm out – of – state customers, who wanted filters, not excuses. Phil Mann, the firm’s president, was at his wits end. He had about 30 new employees, 10 old – timers, and his original factory supervisor, Maybelline. He decided to meet with Linda Lowe, a consultant from the local university’s business school. She immediately had the old – timers fill out a job questionnaire that had listed all their duties. Arguments ensued almost at once: Both Phil and Maybelline thought the old – timers were exaggerating to make themselves look more important, and the old – timers insisted that the lists faithfully reflected their duties. Meanwhile, the customers clamored for their filters.

Questions:

1. Should Phil and Linda ignore the old – timers’ protest and write up the job description as they see fit? Why? Why Not?

✓ No, Phil and Linda should not completely ignore the protest and here is why. Despite the exaggeration, the old-timers have been doing their duties efficiently for a long period of time. No one knows what goes into the duty more than the workers who are doing it first-hand. Having said that, the management should still go ahead with writing the job description, but only after interviewing these old-timers rather than just taking their word. Also, the duties that they think have been