BACKGROUND:
Ten years ago, I started working as a clerk for DMD Medical Supplies. Six months ago, Liz, the human resources director, promoted me to office manager. I manage two employees: Jack and Ruth. My 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. I've noticed that in the last three months Ruth has cut her breaks short to complete her work, complains of being tires, 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 me 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.
I 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, I conclude I must focus on the in-office work situation. I 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.
I don't have the authority to change the work assignments of the two administrative assistants or the executive team, I clearly need to change my office assignments so that Jack and Ruth work regularly without requiring overtime.
SOME QUESTIONS I ASK MYSELF:
1. How long has this situation been going on?
2. Why did the problems begin when they did?
3. Am I able to solve the problem at its root cause or am I only able to manage the impact of the problem?
4. Is this a temporary or permanent problem?
5. How has the company been affected?
6. How have the employees been affected?
7. What's in my power to change? What must stay the same?
8. What are two or three ways to improve the efficiency of my office?
9. How much work, time, and money would be required to implement each solution?
10. Does each solution stop all the negative effects?
11. Are there any benefits to the change beyond stopping what is occurring?
12. How exactly would each change affect Jack, Ruth, and the executive team?
13. What would I have to do to make sure each change goes through as planned and to monitor the situation once the solution is in place?
I have to use the following information in the different sections:
SECTION 1-
Facts and figures that define the problem (the cause)
Details that show the impact of the problem (effects) on Jack, Ruth and the company.
SECTION 2
The steps needed to change the situation
Reason to implement each step, including the benefits to my employees, my supervisor, and the company.
Information about my role in the change.
Can someone please check for paragraph structure, grammar, run-on sentences and punctuation.
Sorry forgot to paste the paragraphs,,
For the past three months, I have noticed work related problems occurring within our company of DMD Medical Supplies; the quality of work has not been satisfactory, causing employees to be stressed, and the workflow has been uneven amongst both teams and their executives. I feel the number one problem is with Ruth and the executive team Frank and Samuel; they are working without a full-time assistant. Due to this problem Ruth has to work overtime hours, (costing the company an extra $200 a month), which in turn is causing her to submit work that is not completed to our company’s satisfaction. The second problem is Ralph and his team having to work without Jessica, who is off on indefinite sick leave. Taking into consideration that her tasks have been spread out between both teams, and Ralph’s team having a full time assistant, Ralph’s assistant Jack is showing signs of not having enough work to keep him busy. Jack produces excellent quality work but because of not having enough to keep him busy he have been showing up late for work, and voluntarily extending his allotted break times. This problem are affecting our company tremendously, and has to be addressed to ensure customer satisfaction. I do not have the authority to make changes within the company, but I will schedule a meeting with Liz Jakowski, the Human Resources Director, and all teams involved. These issues need to be discussed as a team. As office manager, I will address Liz with ideas, which I feel, may work for the company and both teams.
My first solution to solve the problem would be to assign both teams full time assistants, which will cost the company an equal amount of money being paid already, by having full-time assistants, Ruth would not have to work overtime to complete her work. Secondly; by assigning 70% of Jessica’s tasks to Jack, it will give him a heavier workload and in return will get him back on a regular schedule. I believe if these proposals do not work after a three-month trial period, hiring a temporary replacement for Jessica will have to be put in place. With teamwork and dedication, we can, and will keep DMD Medical Supplies customers happy.