Case Study For Human Resources Essay Research

Case Study For Human Resources Essay, Research Paper

Role:

Edmund Graves, personnel manager used to consult legal, moral, and personnel practices. Graves, employed by Walker Space Institute for fourteen years, has been asked to supply guidelines and recommendations surrounding the pending cutbacks of the engineering department.

Problem Definition:

Walker Space Institute requires the elimination of three engineers due to industry cutbacks. In doing so, Walker must evaluate each member and induce cutbacks which mitigate social, economic, and legal considerations while exercising higher regard for morals and fairness, while remaining competitive.

Analysis:

Due to industry cutbacks, it becomes necessary for Walker to examine each engineering employee and evaluate alternatives in an attempt to remain profitable and competitive. Each alternative has special considerations which must be explored. The following considerations shall serve as the basis for further analysis. (These methods serve only as aids in decision making and are not implied to serve as concrete methods of job security.)

. Affirmative Action Legislation

. Gender Discrimination

. Age Discrimination

. Race Discrimination

. Disability Legislation

. Civil Rights

. Wrongful Discharge

. Job Performance Evaluations

. Seniority

. Communication Skills

. Education

. Strategic Planning

. Company Mission

The following criteria shall be used to uphold the stategic plan and goals of the company in evaluating employees:

Education:

Due to the high technical nature of the aerospace industry, Walker feels strongly about employees possessing an advanced degree in the field as well as continuing their education and improving their skills through seminars, programs and college courses.

Seniority:

While seniority remains an important factor, it should not be used as a means to ensure employment. Employees should be aware that they must stay competitive in their field by means of continuing education.

Job Performance:

It is significant to take into account an employees job performance; however, because of biases, other factors must be taken into consideration, for example, relationships with co-workers and/or how others value their work ethics.

Experience:

While it is unfortunate that young people often lose opportunities because of lack of experience, it is in the best interest of the firm to hire the most qualified person for the position.

Employee Examination:

In an effort to further explore each employee, a simple examination of each employee can serve as a model of possible alternatives. Once Walker has completed this examination, traits consistent with the planning and goals of Walker Space Institute may become apparent.

An example of such an examination follows:

Roger Allison

Pro: Educated

Con: Lacks experience with WSI

Special Considerations: Married with two children, held two prior jobs, geographic relocation, well liked by co-workers

LeRoy Jones

Pro: Educated

Con: Average Job Performance Evaluation, lacks experience and seniority

Special Considerations: Single, unpopular with co-workers, minority, accused supervisor of being biased

William Foster

Pros: Experience with WSI, excellent job performance reviews for 15 years but has declined to average in past 5 years, seniority

Cons: No formal education

Special Considerations: Married with three children, aging, feels his supervisors grade him down because of his lack of education

Donald Boyer

Pros: Well educated, mixed job performance ratings average to high, five years experience with WSI

Cons: None

Special Considerations: Married with no children, well liked by co-workers, wife is a M.D.

Mel Shuster

Pros: Educated, working on higher degree in evenings, above average job performance, three years experience with WSI

Cons: None

Special Considerations: Single, poor co-employee relations

Sherman Soltis

Pros: Educated, 14 years experience with WSI

Cons: Average performance ratings, some say he is “out of date”

Special Considerations: Divorced with two children, friend of vice president, well liked by co-employees

Warren Fortuna

Pros: Educated, 14 years experience with WSI, above average performance ratings, seniority

Cons: None

Special Considerations: Married with five children, headed section until he had a heart attack, now slower and slightly out of date

Robert Treharane

Pros: Average to above average performance ratings, 16 years experience with WSI, seniority

Cons: None

Special Considerations: Single, dropped out of M. I. T. because of financial reasons, tries to stay educated by reading journals and taking short courses, not well liked by co-workers

Sandra Rosen

Pros: Educated, good worker

Cons: Lacks seniority, lacks experience with WSI

Special Considerations: Single, well liked by co-workers and head of the section, enthusiastic