Due: See course schedule or below for specific dates.

Instructions

You are the office manager at Devour Catering $("$Devour$"),$ one of Calgary's top corporate catering companies. The company has been in business since $1997$ and has survived many Calgary economic downturns, including the recent COVID pandemic. In fact, some of the company's innovations are a result of having to pivot in response to dramatic changes in the external environment, such as the COVID pandemic.

The COVID pandemic restrictions eliminated catering jobs for Devour for several months. As a result, more than $50\%$ of the employees were terminated. The company survived by creating a take$-$away business. The chefs created entrees and appetizers that were frozen, sold online, and picked up at designated times. This new business was very successful and has been expanded in the post$-$COVID era. Devour now sells many more products via its online store.

Once the COVID restrictions were lifted and businesses and individuals returned to hosting events $($such as corporate parties, weddings, and anniversaries$),$ the catering business increased. As a result of this increase in business, Devour needed to hire more staff, including an office manager$-$you. Your first task was to rehire some of the terminated employees, as well as some new staff members. The take$-$away foods became one of the focuses of the business, as catering bookings had not returned to the pre$-$COVID level.

Supply chain and inflation issues posed a serious challenge for Devour. It was difficult to plan catering menus when supplies were uncertain. In addition, staffing shortages meant you had to pay higher wages to attract and retain your staff. As inflation pressures continued, Devour's prices increased, and soon the take$-$away business began to drop off. This decrease in sales from the online store, coupled with the lagging catering bookings, means Devour has to cut back once again on staffing, at least temporarily. You will have to reduce the number of online store staff positions by two $($from seven employees to five$).$ You will also have to terminate one of the catering truck drivers.

Write a message to all employees, giving them the bad news about Devour's current situation $($you aren't writing a message to terminate anyone$).$ You may include whatever information you deem to be necessary; however, any additional information must be reasonable. Do not use word$-$for$-$word text from the scenario $($do not "copy and paste"$).$ Your WA should demonstrate your understanding of all concepts covered to this date $($audience analysis, style, tone, seven Cs $($including document design$),$ and bad news messages$).$