Reference no: EM132298143

You were hired 6 months ago to oversee the production plant of a company that makes small bottles and jars based in Orange, MA. Your last place of employment was in a Bristol County where you are raised and have lived for 30 years. You have an associates degree in Management and will be taking classes at either Westfield State or Elms College to complete your Bachelor's degree while working.

While walking around the floor of the plant one day, you hear a few employees talking about changes that have occurred without any explanation or notice and how uncomfortable it makes them feel. These are good employees, employees invested in the company, who have helped pull the company through some challenging times. They have enough knowledge and experience and are young enough to move on to another company which would be devastating for the business. You are already planning for the anticipated retirement of 3 your employees in the next 3-5 years. It is hard to find young people to work in this industry. Most want an office job. People's jobs are not in jeopardy but they do not know this. As a matter of fact, they no nothing about the health of the company. Your hire was viewed as steps towards cleaning house and bringing in new people who don't require as much. Although the folks who report to you are respectful, they are on edge about their jobs.

Below is general information about the people you oversee.

25 people work on the floor of the production plant

2 of the employees have been floor supervisors for 15 years; 1 has been quality control manager for 14 years.

Age range: 25-60 years

Gender: 65% male; 30% female; 5% transgendered

Martial Status: Do research to determine this

Education: You do some research and determine the education of this demographic

Residency: All were born and raised in Franklin County

Average length of employment for your crew: 22 years

Part I - What would you do in the above scenario? Would you approach these employees and have a conversation with them? What would be the benefits of oral communications? What would be the drawbacks in this case?

Part II - Your writing job is a memorandum (memo) to your production team of 25 employees. The focus will be to reassure them that the changes were necessary. You are also to reassure them that at this time, their positions are not in jeopardy. This memo is written after you heard the employees talking.