Sunteți pe pagina 1din 6

Teresa de la Cruz

Mary Rose Dionisio


Bea Dy
Bettina Escolano
David Garcia
Loisirc Go

Case Analysis: Rio Grande Supply Company


Background
Jasper Hennings, the president of the Rio Grande Supply Company, always
promoted a culture among his management team based on integrity, honesty and
especially respect for each and every employee; which he stressed the particular
importance of through one part of the Internet use policy - management was not
allowed to access and review anything that other employees do on Rio Grandes
computers. Of course, the Internet use policy also stressed that said computers
were only to be used for business-related activities, and anyone caught violating
this company policy would be face disciplinary action and could face dismissal if the
infraction is serious enough.
Recently, Chief of Operations Henry Darger dismissed a female employee for
accessing a fellow employees email. However, upon this employees dismissal, she
informed Hennings that Darger was also using the internet for non-work related
means during work hours. Darger later confessed that he was undergoing several
personal problems and had resorted to watching copious amounts of pornography
during work hours in order to cope.
Hennings is now faced with the following dilemma: dismiss Henry for
breaking company policy in using the company computers for non-work reasons, or
keep Henry as an employee as he is a valuable asset to the company.
Problem Statement
What might be the best way for Jasper Hennings to draw the line between
upholding company policies as well as its values and retaining Henry Darger, a
valuable employee?

Objectives
To establish Jasper Hennings right course of action in handling the case of
Henry Darger in a fair manner that is in line with the companys policies.
To properly evaluate the decision the fired female employee based on the conditions
and circumstances of her dismissal.
To refine, improve and reinforce the vision and culture of the company.

Key Points and Issues


Misuse of the companys resources by utilizing the companys computers for nonwork related reasons.
No real enforcement of company policies.
The actual circumstances surrounding the female employees firing are rather
vague.
There is the possibility that said employee was fired not for breaking company
policy herself, but catching Darger in the act of breaking company policy.
Darger himself had confessed to breaking company policy.
Analysis of the Problem
Internal environment of organization includes corporate culture which is
essential in gaining competitive advantage in the market. Energizing and motivating
employees by instilling key values, beliefs, and shared goals can generate high
performing organization.1 In the case of Rio Grande, Jasper Hennings sought to
instill a culture of integrity, honesty and especially respect for each and every
employee through company policies such as the internet use policy.
There is an apparent decision to be made regarding the case of Henry Darger
who has confessed to breaking company policy. Considering the key points stated
above, certain factors need to be considered in deciding a course of action such as
adherence to the company values, rules and protocol, cost and difficulty of hiring
another chief of operations, and consequences of keeping Darger on the company.
As a cultural leader, Jasper needs to be able to effectively communicate and
reinforce Rio Grandes values in day to day activities for his employees to follow
suit. In a time of crisis such as the Henry Darger case, Jasper would have to ensure
that the company's policies and decisions continue to uphold company culture. A
further look into the internet use policy in SWOT and evaluation of alternative
options would best aid in decision making.
Rio Grande has a company policy on internet security that prohibits employees from
using their work-station computers for non work-related activities. However, there
are no software filters on computers, thereby allowing employees to visit any
website they please. Below is a SWOT analysis of the said policy.

1 Daft, Richard L. Management. 10th ed. South-Western: Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.

Company Policy SWOT Analysis on internet security

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

Results in most of the management


team setting a good example by
acting according to the companys
values.
Employees are more empowered
knowing they are trusted by top
management to follow company
policy without supervision.

The companys Internet policy is easy


to exploit and abuse, especially when
one is never caught.
Lack of monitoring tools and refusal
by top management to implement
them makes the internet policy hard
to enforce.

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

Internet history may serve as a


reference for studies on employee
productivity or similar reports.
Employees may be aided by top
management based on browser
history

Monitored internet access records can


possibly leak and be obtained by
competing companies.
A change in Internet policy to a
stricter, more monitored one might
be met with hostility from the
employees.
Internet surveillance may invade the
privacy of the employees which could
prompt complaints as well as threats
of quitting.

Development and Selection of Alternatives


Alternative 1: Fire Henry Darger
Advantages:
There would continue to be consistency in upholding the companys values and
policies.
It is the alternative that shows the most fairness. There will be no special treatment
to anyone regardless of position, and employees would not perceive that certain
employees are favored over others.
Disadvantages:
Replacing Henry would be costly and difficult for the company, as hes been around
for some time and COOs have particular skillsets that takes time to cultivate.
Another company may benefit from hiring Henry and exploit him for his learned
company information and developed company techniques.
Potential lawsuit for wrongful termination if the internet fair-use agreement is not
explicitly stated in the contract
Compensation fee for firing can be inordinate, especially for a top-level manager
like Henry.

There would be a need to investigate and deal with other employees who also
violated (or will happen to violate) the policy on the use of computer system.
Alternative 2: Rehire the female employee, preferably in a different department, and
put her as well as Henry Darger under probation, and suggest that Henry undergo
therapy or counseling, Have the female employee sign a Nondisclosure agreement
that would not reveal to anyone that she was fired and rehired.
Advantages:
Shows fairness in that it doesnt imply particular employees are more favored over
others.
The company will not need to expend resources and put in time to hire and train a
new COO to fill Henrys empty spot.
The company will not lose any of its employees
Jasper would be upholding the companys values by enacting disciplinary action, but
he will also be seen as considerate for choosing probation to deal with the first
offense..
Disadvantages:
Promotes the mindset that the companys policies arent as rigidly enforced as
previously thought, leading to more employees possibly breaking policy for as long
as they could get away with it.
Possible tensions may arise if Darger and the female employee are in proximity with
each other again.
Condones worker inadequacy and utilization of company time and resources for
inappropriate activities
Alternative 3: Keep Henry Darger, put him under probation (or another disciplinary
sanction) and do not rehire the female employee.
Advantages:
The company wont be expending resources to find a replacement for Henry Darger.
Disadvantages:
- Promotes the mindset that company policies can be bended in
favor of its officials.
- Implies that Jasper favors particular employees, showing
unfairness in upholding the companys policies and culture.
- The company could lose employees.
- The female employee could press charges if she finds out, which
could destroy the companys reputation.

Selection of Desired Alternative


In order to have a sense of consistency with company values, it is advised
that Jasper choose to fire Henry Darger as he, a person who was tasked with
enforcing these company values was caught breaking them.. While this has the
main disadvantage of losing a valuable employee, company values in this case
are far more important. Firing Darger would send a message to other

employees that the company is strict in upholding its values and encourage
employees to stick to them.

Recommendations
Fire Henry Darger
Henry would have to be informed of his dismissal after the decision is made.
A thorough explanation must be given - that the company has particular culture
and values to uphold, as well as policies that have to be adhered to, all of
which are held to high importance. Henrys role, as COO, is to enforce these
policies, but also serve as an example in exemplifying the companys culture and
values. Being in a top management position, he was being held to very high
standards and his actions reflect that he has failed in his role. Compensation
would be a good idea to show appreciation for the hard work he has done for the
company.
Remind employees about the company policies
In order to pivot from the breach in company policy, mandatory seminars
on the company mission, vision, values and policies are to be given to all
employees following Henry Dargers dismissal. This would remind the employees
about the policies set by the company and would aid in ensuring that employees
follow them.
Implement a software filter for all employees:
Implementing a software filter would be able to better monitor all
employee activity online and would be a better more rigid enforcement of
company policy. While this could be perceived by employees as a lack of trust
between them and the top management, the consequences of the breaches done
by both Darger and the female employee would warrant such changes.
Review company mission, vision, values and policies
To prevent further violations and to further instill the corporate culture, Jasper
Hennings must refine and improve the companys mission, vision, and
values it espouses among its employees, and review the company policies on
computer and Internet use.
Conduct an investigation on the circumstances surrounding the female employees
firing.
An investigation should be conducted concerning the conditions of the
female employees firing. The reason that the employee was fired could be because
she caught Darger viewing pornography instead of breaking the policy herself.
Should she be a victim of Dargers foul play instead of actually breaking company
policy, she should be rehired as an employee.

S-ar putea să vă placă și