XLR International Ltd is a fifty-year-old family business which manufactures educational furniture such as desks, chairs and white boards for schools, colleges and universities in Jamaica. The mission statement of XLR is to “offer unique educational furniture and superior after sale service to its customers”.

XLR was awarded the contract to produce 55,000 desks per year for the next three years beginning January 2019 by the Ministry of Education. The projected production output for the next three years will also increase 5% per year. The annual output for 2018 was 1,200,000 desks. The workforce is comprised of: Production Workers = 55, Administrative Assistant = 30, Sales Personnel = 12, Ancillary Workers = 5, Management/Supervisory Staff = 20.

The job descriptions/specifications have not been reviewed since 1989. In addition, there is no formal orientation or training programme and the business processes are manually operated. XLR has recently hired Ms. Tonique Barnett to manage the HR Division but she lacks the professional experience and competence to fully complete the assigned task.

Based on the projected output for the next three years, Ms. Tonique Barnett, HR Manager plans to recruit a Financial Controller, Administrative Assistant and Customer Service Personnel by September 2019. These activities will require the need for HR planning to determine the workforce needs, recruitment and selection, orientation and training. In addition, the HR Manager plans to dismiss all employees who fail to meet their performance targets by the end of 2019.

Required:

You are hired as a consultant to assist Ms. Tonique Barnett, HR Manager of XLR:

In groups of 4/5 persons, carry out each of the activities outlined below. Review the case then answer the questions accordingly.

Workforce/HR Planning

Predict staffing needs for each of the five years from 2019 to 2021

Indicate the programmes you will plan in order to ensure staffing equilibrium for each of the years (2019 to 2021)

Job Description

Prepare the job description and job specification for the Financial Controller and Customer Service positions.

Give a step by step account of how these were developed.

Recruitment/Testing and Assessment Plan

Write the job advertisement and explain where these advertisements will be posted and justify your choice

Prepare a Staffing Process Map for XLR International

Explain the strategies to be used in the testing and selection process for the three positions

Suggest two (2) technological application/interventions that could be used to improve screening/selection at XLR International.

Prepare the testing methods matrix.

Explain the relevance of each test to the organization achieving its strategic objective.

Explain how these will be administered and what standards will be used as benchmark for acceptable scores.

Prepare an offer letter for the Financial Controller and Customer Service position.

Orientation/Socialization Programme

Outline the orientation and socialization programme that will be adopted in order to prepare the selected candidate for carrying out the duties and achieving high productivity in a short while. This should include the during of the orientation and specific activities that will be done.

Explain how this will help the organization to achieve competitive advantage.

Prepare a draft of an employee’s manual.

Managing the flow of the Workforce

Outline the various types of turnover that may take place within an organization

Discuss the factors influencing voluntary and involuntary turnover

Assess how can an organization analyze the causes of turnover

Evaluate at least five (5) retention strategies that may be implemented by XLR International Ltd.

Recommend to Ms. Barnett how to conduct a dismissal meeting professionally and effectively

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Company Overview XLR International LTD was formed in 1969 by a Jamaican family The company deals in mostly the manufacture of educational facilities such as desks and chairs Its main clients are schoo... View the full answer