Module $2$

In Class Exercise

Mr$.$ Harris On The Job

Dashon Harris was hired nine months ago as the Human Resources Manager for MO Ice

Cream Company. MO Ice Cream has been in operation for $50$ years and has a strong

brand in the local market. MO Ice Cream main competition is from foreign high$-$end ice

cream brands that are sold in the major supermarkets.

There are $95$ employees spread between the departments:

Engineering

Sales

Logistics

Production

Marketing

HR & Administration

Most of the staff are in the Production, Sales and Logistics departments. The HR &

Administration Department comprises the Human Resources Manager, Accountant, HR

Assistant, Accounts Clerk, Payroll Clerk and Receptionist.

Mr$.$ Harris arrives to work on Monday to find two employees sitting waiting to meet with

him. His Assistant indicated the Production Manager sent them, so he can speak to them

about reporting to work on time. As he was about to sit behind his desk, he receives a call

from the Logistics Manager, requesting that they need a helping hand in Logistics, and

he wanted to know if Mr$.$ Harris can enquire of Sales or Production if they could transfer

an employee to Logistics for the day.

Mr$.$ Harris, looking at his watch, remembered he needed to go with the Engineering

Manager to meet with the supplier of Safety Shoes, as the Labour Department will audit

the Production Plant later in the week. They needed to ensure that their safety shoes were

to the required specifications. However, as he was getting ready to leave, two employees

from the Sales Department turned up along with the Shop Steward, as they have a

grievance with the Sales Supervisor. Harris speaks with the employees to find out about

the grievance, but in speaking with them, he realised they had not spoken with the Sales

Manager. Mr$.$ Harris explained he had an appointment for which he was already late. He

indicated he will speak with them on his return.

As he left the office with the Engineering Manager, he realised he was still to design a

new Performance Management System for the Company. He recognised the staff are

losing their focus and the competitors are taking some of their market share, but there are

just not enough hours in the day. The staff at MO Ice Cream needs performance targets.

He was hired to deliver on the Performance Management System, but nothing has been

done. He wondered if he would keep his job. As Mr$.$ Harris reflected on this outstanding

task, the General Manager, Jo$-$anne Mo$,$ called to find out when would he be making the

presentation on the Performance Management System to the Management Team for their

input. He told her he will get back with a date, but she must be running out of patience.

As they pulled into the carpark of the supplier$$s office, he received another call from the

HR Assistant informing him that when he returns to the office, the Sales Department

would like him to sit in on their vacation planning meeting; the staff are not pleased with

the holiday dates given and would wish Mr$.$ Harris to address the problem.

He realised, if he was going to accomplish the key goal given to him on hiring, he is going

to have to work some late hours over the next few weeks. Getting out of the car, he

remembered he had to review the Company$$s weekly payroll before if goes to the Payroll

Clerk. Last week he failed to review it and there were so many discrepancies, some staff

were overpaid, and some received short hours.

Walking towards the door of the supplier$$s office, he thought this was going to be his

dream job... the pay and benefits were good, but his heart has been racing almost every

day for the last three months when he was at work. When he goes home, he is no fun to

be aroun