Rainier Storm 0827405 Advanced HR

Question 1

It will seem that there is big misunderstanding and mistrust between the organisation and the
employees. Firstly I would suggest that employees are given the opportunity to be more
involved in the company in regards to decision making/problem solving, training etc.

This can be done by implementing an upward problem-solving initiative so that managers

can tap into employee ideas and knowledge. Getting employees more involved will give
them a better sense of value. Certain systems that should be set up to encourage the
upward problem solving initiative and help employees express their voice can be by means
of:

 Two-way communication where the sharing and seeking of ideas face-to-face

between managers and staff for whom they have responsibility; for example, by
regular meetings every few weeks are encouraged.
 Suggestion schemes where employees put ideas to management, who then reward
those whose ideas are implemented and help increase productivity, cost saving etc.
 Attitude surveys or questionnaire surveys (electronically or paper-based), can be
designed and used to discover staff’s levels of satisfaction with particular aspects of
work, training needs, management issues etc.
 Project teams – groups of individual employees brought together on a regular or ad
hoc basis to discuss (for example) quality or work organisation, new ideas etc.

Secondly the company can engage better with unions and the employees by encouraging
collective representation. Working with the union is easier than working against it and
employees will also feel that the organisation has a higher respect for them and they are
treated equal.

Some of the main benefits that the company can gain with implementing greater employee
voice initiatives are:

 employees’ skills and knowledge can be better used, leading to higher productivity
 employees feel more valued, so they are more likely to stay and to contribute more
 the organisation gains a positive reputation, making it easier to recruit good
employees
 Conflict is reduced and co-operation between employer and employee is based on
interdependence.

In conclusion by implementing these employee voice initiatives the organisation can

increase the loyalty of the employee because they feel more valued and that their
input/ideas are valued by the organisation. Getting more input from the worker can also help
identify training needs etc which will benefit the organisation in the long run if training is
given.
Rainier Storm 0827405 Advanced HR

Question 2

The new business and production can generate a sustained competitive advantage to the
company. By treating the workers as resources and developing them the company can
create various long term benefits for the company.

The firm indicated that they want to up skill the workers so that they are multi skilled. Having
a skilled work force that is flexible and continuously developed can lead to the creation of
high performance work team that can increase productivity, better utilise and manage
available resources and also create products of a superior quality and price compared to
those of competitors.

Also encouraging team based lean production encourages creativity that can lead to the
creation and development of superior products and also the better utilisation of resources.
Because the employees are more responsible for their own work and project work they have
a higher sense of value and are more committed to the company and its products leading to
innovation and increased productivity

Ultimate the company will gain superior performance outcomes and superiority in utilisation
of production resources that reflex competitive advantage.