Can anything be done to ensure employee privacy

Assignment Help Management Theories
Reference no: EM131881201

Problem: TRASH AND WASTE PICKUP SERVICES, INC.

Martin Andersen is responsible for 143 of Trash and Waste Pickup Services, Inc.'s (TWPS's) garbage trucks. Trash and Waste Pickup Services is a commercial and household trash hauler. When a caller recently complained to Andersen that a brown and green Trash and Waste Pickup Services truck was speeding down Farm Route 2244, Andersen turned to the company's information system. He learned that the driver of a company front-loader had been on that very road at 7:22 a.m., doing 51 miles per hour (mph) in a 35 mph zone. The driver of that truck was in trouble! The TWPS information system uses a global positioning system (GPS) not only to smooth its operations, but also to keep closer track of its workers, who may not always be doing what they are supposed to be doing during work hours. Andersen pointed out, "If you're not out there babysitting them, you don't know how long it takes to do the route. The guy could be driving around the world, he could be at his girlfriend's house."

Before TWPS installed the GPS system, the drivers of his 37 front-loaders clocked in approximately 250 hours a week of overtime at one and a half times pay. Once TWPS started monitoring the time they spent in the yard before and after completing their routes and the time and location of stops that they made, the number of overtime hours plummeted to 70 per week. This translated to substantial savings for a company whose drivers earn about $20 an hour. TWPS also installed GPS receivers, which are the size and shape of cans of tuna, in salesmen's cars. Andersen was not surprised to learn that some of the company's salespeople frequented, The Zone, a local bar around 4 p.m. when they were supposed to be calling on customers. Andersen decided to set digital boundaries around the bar. Understandably, the drivers and salespeople aren't entirely happy with the new GPS-based system. Ron Simon, a TWPS driver, admits: "It's kind of like Big Brother is watching a little bit. But it's where we're heading in this society. . . I get testy in the deli when I'm waiting in line for coffee, because it's like, hey, they're (managers) watching. I've got to go." Andersen counters that employers have a right to know what their employees are up to: "If you come to work here, and I pay you and you're driving one of my vehicles, I should have the right to know what you're doing."

Discussion Questions: 1. What are the positive and negative aspects of Andersen's use of the GPS-based system to monitor his drivers and salespeople?

2. What advice do you have for Andersen about the use of the system for supervising, evaluating, and compensating his drivers and salespeople?

3. As more and more companies turn to IS to help them monitor their employees, what do you anticipate the impact will be on employee privacy? Can anything be done to ensure employee privacy?

Reference no: EM131881201

Questions Cloud

How would you describe the network model of fedex : How would you describe the network model of FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, and what are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages to this model?
Company pays dividends is to value the dividends : In practice, a common way to value a share of stock when a company pays dividends is to value the dividends over the next five years or so,
Why use this service type instead of another : What's the cheapest method and service type to ship it there? Why use this service type instead of another?
What amount will clancey receive : The current market rate of interest for bonds of similar risk is 11%. What amount will Clancey receive when it issues the bonds
Can anything be done to ensure employee privacy : As more and more companies turn to IS to help them monitor their employees, what do you anticipate the impact will be on employee privacy?
Define weighted average cost of capital : Define Weighted Average Cost of Capital and explain why a company must earn at least its Weighted Average Cost of Capital on new investments
Prepare the journal entry to record the bond issuance : Prepare the journal entry to record the bond issuance. Prepare the journal entry to record interest on June 30, 2018, using the straight-line method.
Most sensitive to changes in market interest rates : Which one of the following bonds is the most sensitive to changes in market interest rates?
Compute the performance of three ideal turbofan engines : Compute the performance of three ideal turbofan engines with an ideal turbojet engine at two flight conditions

Reviews

Write a Review

Management Theories Questions & Answers

  Learning in action

Learning contract proposal that will form the basis of your learning contract report.

  Change is the only constant

"Change is the only constant " Evaluate the different types of change that have occurred in Sony.

  How do advertisers try to use group influence

How do advertisers try to use group influence?  Will you find any specific examples and explain the relevant theory of group behavior and influence?

  Case study:saving sony

You have been appointed by Sony as a consultant on change management. Advise Sony on how they could implement the change by using the various theories of change you have learnt.

  How the stock market works

The purpose of this project is to help you to gain an understanding of how the stock market works and of the relationship between theory and practice.

  Find the optimal production quantities

Find not only the optimal production quantities, but also the optimal total cost.

  Describe the management process

Describe the management process and identify the skills required to manage business organizations.

  Case study : bert''s bonsai and aquatic sport museum

Case Study : Bert's Bonsai and Aquatic Sport Museum Prepare a knowledge management system.

  Knowledge management techniques

Demonstrate understanding of the many-sided nature of knowledge management

  Theory of transtheoretical model

Demonstrate understanding of the many-sided nature of knowledge management

  Write a paper on historical trends of management

Write a paper on Historical Trends of Management.

  Theory of reasoned action

Theory of Planned Behavior and Integrated Behaviors Model

Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd