Organizational Behavior
Chapter Three: Managing Communications
Incident: A Breakdown in Communications
Linda Barry, a single mother with three children, was hired as an order-entry clerk for a trucking firm. Her first two weeks on the job were spent in a special class from 8 A. M. to 4 P.M., where she learned how to sort, code, and enter the orders on the computer. An instructor worked with her constantly at first, and then less frequently as she gained skill and confidence. Linda was happy to have the job and enjoyed her work schedule. When the training was completed, she was told to report to the order-entry department the following Monday.
When she was first employed, either Linda failed to read and understand the printed information about her regular work schedule or perhaps the recruiter forgot to tell her that she was to fill a spot in a special shift that worked from 4 P. M. until noon. In any case, Linda failed to report to work on the early schedule on the first day of regular work. When she did arrive at 8 A.M., her supervisor criticized her for lack of responsibility. Barry responded by saying that she could not work the early shift because she had to prepare her children for school, and she threatened to resign if she could not work on the later shift. Because of heavy work load and a difficult labour market, the supervisor needed Linda to do the job, yet had no room for her in the 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. shift
Questions
1. Analyze the communication blockage in this case. Discuss ideas such as upward and downward communication, listening, realistic job previews, feedback and inference. 2. Explain how you would handle the employment situation at the end of the case. what ideas from the chapter could be applied to help resolve this problem?
Chapter: Social System and organizational Culture
Incident: Liberty Construction Company
Liberty Construction Company is a small company in Golorado. Over a half its revenue is derived from the installation of underground water and
Incident: A Breakdown in Communications
Linda Barry, a single mother with three children, was hired as an order-entry clerk for a trucking firm. Her first two weeks on the job were spent in a special class from 8 A. M. to 4 P.M., where she learned how to sort, code, and enter the orders on the computer. An instructor worked with her constantly at first, and then less frequently as she gained skill and confidence. Linda was happy to have the job and enjoyed her work schedule. When the training was completed, she was told to report to the order-entry department the following Monday.
When she was first employed, either Linda failed to read and understand the printed information about her regular work schedule or perhaps the recruiter forgot to tell her that she was to fill a spot in a special shift that worked from 4 P. M. until noon. In any case, Linda failed to report to work on the early schedule on the first day of regular work. When she did arrive at 8 A.M., her supervisor criticized her for lack of responsibility. Barry responded by saying that she could not work the early shift because she had to prepare her children for school, and she threatened to resign if she could not work on the later shift. Because of heavy work load and a difficult labour market, the supervisor needed Linda to do the job, yet had no room for her in the 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. shift
Questions
1. Analyze the communication blockage in this case. Discuss ideas such as upward and downward communication, listening, realistic job previews, feedback and inference. 2. Explain how you would handle the employment situation at the end of the case. what ideas from the chapter could be applied to help resolve this problem?
Chapter: Social System and organizational Culture
Incident: Liberty Construction Company
Liberty Construction Company is a small company in Golorado. Over a half its revenue is derived from the installation of underground water and