Overview/Introduction
Invitation by the manager to discuss reasons for the decrease in productivity prompted the writing of a report on that matter. This was blamed on the increase in the number of sick leaves, which decreased the working rate of employees. All the examined documents supported the decrease in productivity. The problem was due to the lack of motivation of employees, health insurance covers, and lack of motivation of workers prompted employees to look for other opportunities by taking sick leaves.
Background Information
Following a decrease in the organization’s productivity levels, the manager invited me to investigate the reasons for the decline in the productivity levels of the organization. The decline in productivity was realized when the number of sick leaves, in my department increased. As the supervisor of the team in my department, I decided to write a report on the reasons for the decline and suggest appropriate recommendations to help the organization maintain its productivity levels.
Discussion
I decided to go through the organizations’ policies and statutes to identify the goals that were set. This followed an invitation by the manager. To reveal goals and targets that had been set by each team in all the departments that existed in the organization, a thorough analysis of the memorandum of understanding that was signed by members of all departments was done. It was also necessary to view statutes that were signed by the organization with the government, which clearly outlined the purpose for the formation of the company, and the restrictions given to the company in carrying out its mandate (Cole, 2009, pp. 234- 236). It was also necessary to view the team memos to know the tentative plans and goals set by each team, and whether these plans were achieved within the set deadlines. These documents would help in the evaluation of the overall achievement of the organization in line with the scrutinized documents.
Thorough scrutiny of the organization’s policies and statutes revealed that the company had set clear missions and visions to guide its actions. It had also set clear goals to be achieved, which was adversely affected by the decline in production levels. The memoranda signed by members of each team had not been followed since the goals outlined had not been achieved. Analysis of the company’s statutes signed with the government revealed the production capacity given to the company. The company had formally agreed to supply its products to the government for a period. The goals outlined by each team in their memos were partially achieved even though the deadlines had expired (Dubrin, 2011, p. 78).
The analysis of the organization’s document revealed a decline in the overall production and performance levels. Interviews were done to reveal the team’s attitude towards various policies of the organization. The employees were asked to state reasons why they took many leaves in a moment. Questionnaires distributed to the teams inquired about the changes that the organization needed to make to maintain its production levels. These inquired about the organizational structure, worker motivation, and provisions on holidays to workers. The company’s performance records were analyzed to compare the levels of performance in different financial years (Cole, 2009, p. 320).
Analysis of the company’s policies revealed that the goals set in the present financial year were yet to be met. This was because the sick leaves taken by workers, especially those in my department decreased the working rate of my department. This led to under-performance of my team members because of constant absenteeism from the place of work. This breached the agreement signed with the government on the minimum amount of products, which were to be supplied as contained in the company statutes. The constant absenteeism led to the non-completion of set goals that were outlined in the memoranda signed by members of each department. As a result, the memorandum of understanding between the organization and its employees was never followed (Dubrin, 2011, p. 78).
The interviews carried out exposed the worker’s views about the organization, and the appropriate measures that the organization needed to adapt to deter further absenteeism from work. The worker’s plight was that many sick leaves were resulting due to the failure of the organization to consider workers health. They were overworked by the organization and were given little time for recuperation. The organization had strict time guidelines with no breaks within working hours. This led to exhaustion that made many workers susceptible to sickness leading to the high number of sick leaves in the current financial year. Responses from the interviews and questionnaires exposed that the organization had not taken health covers for its employees. It was difficult for employees to seek treatment. The employees also sought treatment using their hard-earned money (Margerison, 2009, p. 59).
The workers also blamed the organization for the rigid time guidelines. The strict schedule gave little time for recuperation. The organization had no holiday provisions in its calendar, which made them work continuously. Hence, workers took sick leaves as a means of creating free time to relax and recover. The organization also failed to motivate its workers through attractive payments, rewards for better performance, and promotions. The workers took advantage of the sick leaves to exploit the job market for attractive jobs, which motivated them to work. This is because the payment they got from the organization was not sufficient to sustain their poor lives, and yet they were being overworked.
Recommendations/Conclusions
Because of the inquiries, the organization needed to carry out reforms to convince workers to stay and continue working with the organization. The organization needed to avail a health policy that would ensure workers against sickness. The health policy would encourage workers because it would reduce the expenses incurred when seeking treatment, and monitor worker movement outside work. This is because the organization would refer its workers to a single health institution for treatment. The organization should ensure that workers are appropriately motivated for their efforts by reviewing their salaries, promotions, and rewarding employees for outstanding performance. The organization should create a flexible schedule and include provisions for holidays, which ensure that workers have enough time to recuperate. The recommendations would reach the organization through reports, and forums would be organized, if possible, to bring the management, and the workers together to address the pressing issues. This would be communicated to the workers through memos, workshops, and emails (Margerison, 2009, p. 95). The workers would need to be reminded of the recommendations of the report through memos and emails. This follows up action would ensure that the organization implements all the recommendations of the report (Dubrin, 2011, p. 62).
List of References
- Cole, K 2009, Management. Sydney: Pearson Education, Australia.
- Dubrin, JA 2011, Essentials of Management. Cengage Learning, Melbourne.
- Margerison, JC 2009, Team Leadership. Cengage Learning EMEA, South Melbourne.