Final Change Management Project – Due at the end of week 3, Sunday Midnight (Grading: 40 points)

Change Scenario: You are the Head of Human Resources at a company in New York that has decided to become a non-smoking environment, which means no smoking on the premises of the facility. Obviously, no smoking in the workplace has been in effect for years but this change eliminates smoking on premises

There are various reasons that are the catalyst for the change:

1. Overall concern for a healthy workplace for all employees

2. To contain medical premiums for employees and the company

3. To influence the smoking population at the company to try to quit smoking for their own wellness (15% of the employees are smokers (5000 employees at company)

4. To curtail smoke break frequency and drive productivity

5. To avoid second hand smoke on company property and at building entrances for non-smokers

6. Create a healthy attractive workplace for employee recruitment purposes

Using the Kotter 8 step model, outline the implementation process you would incorporate to launch this initiative.

In addition to using the outline of Kotter’s 8 steps some other things to consider and include in your change process and project:

1. Stakeholder analysis – who is impacted in some way by the change and how might they be impacted (smokers, non-smokers, managers, benefits carriers, etc)

2. How much time until the policy effective date?

3. Communication: how will you gain leadership buy in?

4. How will you communicate the initial program launch and throughout the period leading up to the effective date and beyond?

5. Are there any legal concerns (smokers and non-smokers rights)

6. What support, assistance and incentives could be offered for smokers to quit

7. What will be your value proposition to drive understanding and ultimately acceptance of the change

8. Policies (what happens if someone is caught smoking on the property)

9. Should there be any designated areas on the property

You can outline your strategy using the Kotter 8 steps and then outline in a table how you will strategize and respond to the 9 considerations above.