Reference no: EM132987591

THE READING:

Jack Devereux is a manager for Company XYZ. He has been with the company for about seven years and was recruited from Company XYZ's main competitor. Jack is a forward-thinking individual and wants to figure out ways to help retain "star" employees. He is noticing that many of his better employees have left the company because of better job offers. He decides that it is time to have a serious conversation with his employees.

After holding a town hall meeting with his employees, he learns that employees feel that they are being micro-managed and that they are being overworked. One employee mentions that she does not agree with the "zero tolerance for cyberloafing" policy and that several of her colleagues left this company because of this unnecessary policy. Cyberloafing is a term used to describe the actions of employees who use their Internet access at work for personal use while pretending to do legitimate work. Jack didn't think his "zero tolerance for cyberloafing" policy was such a bad idea when it was first implemented a year ago. After the meeting, Jack shares the newly revealed information with the CEO who asks him to consider revisiting the policy. Jack is hesitant about revising the policy for a number of reasons.

Jack decides to call his old college Business Professor and discuss this issue affecting retention levels. His old college professor is disappointed with the zero tolerance for cyberloafing policy. He explains, "Employees deserve some autonomy at work." Jack thanks him for his time and decides to consider all feasible options.

THE QUESTIONS:

1. From an employee's perspective, what are the pros and cons to cyberloafing while at work? From a management perspective, what are the pros and cons to cyberloafing while at work?
2. Should Jack consider revising the current policy? Should a policy be changed once it is implemented? Will he be sending mixed messages to his employees?
3. Should all policies be revisited from time to time to see if they are relevant and practical? If so, how often?
4. Do you agree that employees deserve some autonomy at work? Do you think retention levels will improve if employees have more autonomy? Justify your response.
5. If employees have time for cyberloafing, does that mean that they need more work to do? Should managers conduct a work flow analysis? What are some options?
6. As a future manager, discuss your internet-usage policy in detail so there is no confusion among the employees.