• Facts and figures that define the problem (the cause)?
• Facts and figures that define the problem (the cause)?
Ten years ago, you started working as a clerk for DMD
Medical Supplies. Six months ago, Liz Jakowski, the human
resources director, promoted you to office manager. You
manage two employees: Jack Snyder and Ruth Disselkoen.
Your office provides secretarial support for the four members
of the executive team. Two years ago, Liz had assigned Jack
to support Ralph Alane and Jessica Hilo. Ruth was assigned
to Samuel Daley and Frank Daley. The work flow was
equally balanced.
You’ve noticed that in the last three months Ruth has cut her
breaks short to complete her work, complains of being tired,
and at least twice a month requires overtime hours costing
the company an additional $200 a month. In the last three
weeks, Frank Daley has complained to you a few times about
the poor quality of Ruth’s work.
On the other hand, over the last three months, Jack frequently
seems to have little to do. He has begun coming in late a
couple times a week and taking more than the allotted break
times. What work he does have, however, is always professionally
completed.
Clearly, you must investigate to determine what is causing
this change and how to improve the situation. Since nothing
has changed in the personal lives of either Jack or Ruth, you
conclude you must focus on the in-office work situation. You
learn the following facts:
• Samuel and Frank Daley share a part-time administrative
assistant who works only 15 hours a week.
• Ralph Alane and Jessica Hilo share a full-time administrative
assistant.
• Jessica Hilo has been on medical leave for the last four
months, and Liz Jakowski isn’t sure whether Jessica will
be able to return to work.
• Jessica’s duties have been temporarily reassigned to
Ralph and Frank.
Although you don’t have the authority to change the work
assignments of the two administrative assistants or the
executive team, you clearly need to change your office
assignments so that both Jack and Ruth work regularly
without requiring overtime.
Please note that no one here will do your work for you. However, we will be happy to read over what YOU THINK and make suggestions and/or corrections.
Please post what you think.
From the given information, we can identify the following facts and figures related to the problem:
1. Ruth Disselkoen has been cutting her breaks short, complaining of tiredness, and requiring overtime hours costing the company an additional $200 a month in the last three months.
2. Frank Daley has complained multiple times about the poor quality of Ruth's work in the last three weeks.
3. Jack Snyder frequently seems to have little to do, coming in late a couple of times a week, and taking more than the allotted break times in the last three months.
4. Samuel and Frank Daley share a part-time administrative assistant who works only 15 hours a week.
5. Ralph Alane and Jessica Hilo share a full-time administrative assistant.
6. Jessica Hilo has been on medical leave for the last four months, and it is uncertain whether she will be able to return to work.
7. Jessica's duties have been temporarily reassigned to Ralph and Frank.
Based on these facts and figures, the causes of the problem can be identified as follows:
1. Ruth's increased workload due to Jessica's absence may be causing her to cut breaks short, feel tired, and require overtime to complete her work.
2. The poor quality of Ruth's work may be affecting Frank's work and overall productivity.
3. Jack's lack of work and inconsistency may be due to the redistribution of tasks and workload with Jessica's duties being temporarily reassigned to Ralph and Frank.
To improve the situation and ensure that both Jack and Ruth work regularly without requiring overtime, it is necessary to address the workload imbalance and reassign tasks accordingly.