THINKING CRITICALLY CASE STUDY Billings Manufacturing Five years ago, General Manager took a decision to rotate the responsibility for the Christmas staff party by the department as a way to give all staff members a chance to participate in deciding what this annual company celebration would be. The Companys policy makes this event only for staff and their spouses/partners. The venue is the Company located in New Kingston which has over 5,000 square feet in size. The company has ensured that this is a stellar event, with lots of food, drink, and entertainment. Every year since different departments have had the responsibility and planning and implementing different formats. The formats tried have included, a ball, a dance hall yard, including even a peanut cart and a jelly and cane man, slumber party, dance, dinner, and dance and costume party. Every time, however, there has been a partial boycott of the staff party as only a small number of persons have attended, resulting in large amounts of food and drink going to waste and the planners accusing other members of staff as having Bad minds, fighting down no support nobody . Every January staff meeting there are verbal clashes among the organizers and persons, and groups, who did not attend the staff party and are deemed to have boycotted the event. Of the 150 employees no more than 60 employees have attended the party over the last three Years. Frequently there are heated changes among staff in these meetings and after. Suggestions voiced include the large amounts being used for food, drink, and entertainment for this event might be better shared as a cash bonus to staff members, that alternative events to parties would get more support and that department Christmas parties might get better support. You have assumed the role of Human Manager and the General Manager has assigned you the responsibility to ensure there is no boycott this year. He has threatened to stop supporting the event if it does not have the support of the majority of the staff this year. It is now August, you know you have a short time at hand. The HR Department is the smallest in the company, your department is comprised of only five (5)employees and yourself. A look at the record of who attended over the last three years, from when persons have been asked to sign in, shows that the persons who attend are mainly old 2 timers, persons who have been with the company as long as you or longer. The absences also seem highest among staff from two departments, Operations, and Maintenance. Last year, however, when Operations organized the party, almost all staff members of this department attended, but few other staff members came. You have been a staff member for over a decade and have been to all but one, of the office parties, and you have observed a number of things that you see as relevant. You have noticed that the attendance of young male staff from all departments tends to be low and the male members of staff comprise 65% of staff. You have also noticed that now that there are a number of younger employees male and female who also do not attend. The time slot for this event is usually 7 pm to 12 midnight, with many people arriving after 10 pm. Many attendees tend to drift up to the roof or stay in the gardens during the event and stay in their department groups. CASE SOLUTION 1.Outline 3 steps you would take in problem identification in relation to this problem. 2. What are the main actions you plan to take to ensure the attendance of most employees at the Christmas staff party this year