Human Resource Management
Case Study:
CEO: “Thanks for meeting with me, and sorry about the time difference. Here in Banglore, an issue has come up that I need to discuss with you.
I was called here to Bangalore due to a very unfortunate incident. One of our workers had a breakdown during the workday and had to be hospitalized. In the hospital, he told the doctor that he works 45 hours a week and is barely able to support his wife, children, and in-laws. The doctor reported this and somehow the media got a hold of the story. We are now being accused of overworking and underpaying our employees in Bangalore.
Under India’s Factories Act, 1948, adults (over 18 years old) cannot work for more than 48 hours a week or more than 9 hours in a day. We thought we were being generous in establishing a 45-hour work week! And is it really our fault if our employee feels he has to support his extended family?
I need an action plan for addressing this with the media and then to determine what kind of policies we can put in place to respond ethically and responsibly without overburdening the organization financially.
I know this is last-minute, but can you please write up a brief for me by tomorrow morning?” – CEO
Assignment:
A problem has come up with the working conditions at the call center in Bangalore, which leads to an uncomfortable conversation with CEO Jacob Zielinski. In your response to the CEO, consider how employees’ motivation could be improved through changes in leadership style.
