Harriet has just been appointed to take charge of part of an accounting department concerned with processing information from the operating division of a large company. Based on her previous experience she has determined that the running costs of the department are too high, due to absenteeism, lateness, low productivity and time spent in correcting errors. Investigation of the design of the jobs in the department reveals that each employee is a task which is made as simple as possible. The equipment used is maintained by department Strict discipline ensures that clerks do not carry on conversations bank working hours, and tasks are performed in exactly the order and method laid down. Harriet has decided that performance can be improved by changing the job design. Assume that Harriet's superior approves the changes, that correct training is provided and that resistance by the clerks to change is properly overcome.

 

a). Discuss the likely consequences for organisations and employees of designing Jobs which are repetitive, routine and lacking in significant skill requirements

 

b) Explain four problems which may make it difficult to change the design of such jobs

The organization that uses the design of routine, repetitive and low skills will automatically experience various consequences in management, cost and productivity as it becomes difficult to control and produce with these work designs.

Step-by-step explanation

Part 1

There is mismanagement of organization funds. A lot of unnecessary funds are wasted in paying unskilled and unproductive works. Managers also engage in embezzlement of organization funds as the company as poor management.

Low productivity within the organization. Due to the unskilled and semi-skilled employees, there is less productive as they need the skilled workforce who will guide them on how to carry the operations in the production cycle.

A lot of time is wasted. When the workers are used to routine jobs waste a lot of time as they understand there is no competition in the workplace. The workers need to be shifted from one position to another to acquire good skills in production.

The high cost of production. When the workers are unproductive due to lack of adequate skills and lateness, it will require more workers to carry the same task that few workers would have achieved, leading to the high cost of production.

Part 2

Poor communication and feedback from workers. Employees who are used to lateness and failure to take their task will not adapt to the changes. This because they understand they will lose their jobs.

Lack of awareness. The employees may not be aware of the new design as they are used to the routine and repetitive jobs. They may fail to support the change due to a lack of knowledge.

It isn't easy to blend the personalities and the behavior of cultures. This is because people have adapted their old design and developed cultures toward it, so it will take time to change.

Absence of clear direction. It will be a significant threat as the workers were not so pressed to work and attend their jobs. It will be a challenge to come up with the direction that the workers will follow.

References

Bowen, A., Kuralbayeva, K., & Tipoe, E. L. (2018). Characterising green employment: The impacts of 'greening'on workforce composition. Energy Economics, 72, 263-275.