Case study

I've just been told by Ivy Wilson from HR that she wants to update my job description what a joke!' snaps Nalina Sur.h, PA to the finance director of Or. Bank.

'I agree, the whole job description business is a lot of bureaucratic nonsense. Mine was out of dale within weeks', adds Liam Ryan, senior financial planner. 'With this latest reorganization, I'm being forced to take on even more tasks that have nothing to do with my primary role. livery day I'm expected to do something extra. The bank reduces its headcount and simply expects those of us who remain to pick up the extra work. I spend more time filing and filling in forms than I do offering financial advice to clients.' 'Advice? Come on Liam, we know what you do is sell questionable or non-competitive bank products to our unsuspecting customers. Your job title should be "rip.off merchant", not "financial planner"; barks IT manager Dominic Saridokis. 'The objective of your job is to maximize profits for the bank by shafting our clients. What do you get rewarded for? Sales! The quality of your advice and concern for the client's financial wellbeing have nothing to do with the real job of financial planner. Your job description is a work of fiction. You arc a highly paid sal. representative not a finance professional'

'Dominic, as much as 1 hate to admit it, you are right. Sometimes I wonder how I can keep doing it. I really feel torn between my professional duty to my clicnts and the bank's demands for sales', sighs Connie Whelan, financial planner.

'The money, that's how', interjects fellow financial planner Alan Ito. 'Where else could we earn this much? It is money for jam and we all know it. We have all these fancy corporate values about trust, serving die client and all the other garbage. Anyone in the bank who believes this stuff must be brain dead. We all hem for the dollars, it's that simple.'

'Alan, I think you and Dominic are exaggerating. You're both too negative and cynical. 01, Bank has a great reputation for integrity', says Elaine Costello, talent manager.

'Trust BR to take the high moral ground. Blaine you and your IIR mates arc more than happy to accept the bonuses generated by our sales. And please don't tell me that when you're hiring new financial planners for the bank that you describe the job as it really is', retorts Alan.

'Look Blaine', says Dominic, his face red with anger, 'you know very well what happened to Anna Than when she complained about being pressored into selling risky bank products with poorer performance and higher costs she was socially marginalised, pushed into a non-job and pressured to resign. What did HR do, Absolutely nothing!'

'Dominic, accept it or get out', growls Alan. 'Why do you want to stop the rivers of gold? The bank is making fantastic profits, managements' bonuses are at record highs, the share price is going through the roof, and I made almost a million dollars last year everyone is happy.'

'What about the poor Mum and Dad investors who lost their life savings because they were misled and sold unsuitable, costly, high risk products?' Nalina asks sharply.

'Let the buyer beware! Investment is a risky business', replies Alan. 'If they're so stupid that's their problem.'

'Where are your professional ethics?' asks Blaine.

"the same place as yours, Blaine', says Alan. 'In case you haven't heard, we are in business to make a profit. I do what I have to do to earn a dollar and keep my bosses happy isn't that part of your job description?'

Blaine sig., 'Alan, it is pointless talking to you you are without shame.'

'Talking of ethics at Oz Bank', interjects Nalina, 'what about how our jobs have expanded without any eltm compensation?'

'Yes, Nalina, that is another ethical issue everyone is turning a blind eye ,, says Connie. 'It really upsets me that since the bank issued us all with mobile devices, they think we should be available 24n. I am getting sick and tired of getting .t messages, mails and telephone calls outside of working hours.'

Amanda Wexford, accounting supervisor, snipes, 'last night I had four telephone calls after 10 o'clock it's ridiculous.'

'You're right', says Nalina. 'The distinction between company and private lime has disappeared. Thchnology has seen to that. I am getting fed up with having to do more and mom work, which isn't in my job description and which is outside of normal working hours. There is no end to it. Last weekend I was still answering e-mails at 11 o'clock on a Sunday.'

'Is it any wonder that everyone in this place is stressed out and totally disengaged?' asks Liam. 'Why do we stay here?' asks Nalina.

'Simple', responds Dominic. liven a lousy job is better than no job at all'

'Yeah, and especially when it pays as well as ours do', Alan comments.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Whet intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are available to the employees?

2 What ethical, HRM and legal issues are raised?

3 Is slaying in a job you do not like preferable to being unemployed? Why^.or why not?

4 What effects have globalisation and technology (especially mobile devices) had on the quality of work life?

5. Should ethical values be part of a job description?