You have recently commenced as a manager in the finance team at ATELCO, an internet provider. The team largely consists of long-term employees with the average tenure of five years. Most of the team are well experienced, having worked in finance for between 10 and 20 years. Most are diploma or degree qualified. Your director has mentioned a number of things about this team that you are aware of. All employees are paid at or above market rate. They appear to be hardworking and respected members of the organisation. Generally, work attendance is good with few sick days taken. All of the team are receiving discounted internet provision. Upon starting in this team, you noticed they were largely ‘daredevils’ taking quite exotic holidays and participating in high-risk activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping and the like. They seem to take these annually, utilising their annual bonus as a means for going travelling. In looking at their roles you have noticed the work is generally mundane and every task has been broken into smaller parts. Each team member is considered a specialist in their area and when people take leave, temporary staff need to be brought in, as no one shares this expertise. You have noticed also they have very little contact with other parts of the organisation and currently sit in a ‘glass office’ situated in the middle of the building. The rest of the office is open plan, but due to confidentiality they must have a locked office, although within the glassed section they sit open plan. They have to leave the glass office to access the kitchen and bathroom facilities. A quick conversation with Jane, who has been there 10 years, has revealed they are all ‘happy enough’ but you ‘feel’ this might be inaccurate. You notice Bob rarely joins the conversation and Haley makes snide comments about how hard she is working while others are ‘off enjoying their holidays’, but everyone seems ‘in’ on this joke. Alvin starts early and finishes late most days. He often comes in on the weekends as well. It’s coming into the busy period and the team may have to work longer hours to reach the outputs required. Having studied motivation, you are keen to use your knowledge to see how it applies to this team.
Questions:
Mainstream
1. How can the various motivation theories inform what is occurring at this workplace?
2. What does equity theory tell us about the behaviour of Alvin and Haley? What else might underpin their behaviours?
Critical
1. If everyone is performing and nothing is wrong, perhaps this team should be left as it is. In this case, what problems might arise?
2. Why should the daredevil activities be of any concern?
Perhaps they are just an adventurous group. Or can this be explained in another manner?