CASE STUDY: HRM Incident in Human Resource Planning

Caught by Surprise

Stigma Pharmaceuticals is a market leader in the selling of over-the counter drugs, capsules, injections,
and prescriptions medicines for cardiovascular and lung infections. It is also proud in taking care of its
stakeholders ( employees, suppliers, board of directors, and customers). To date, it has already received
much recognition from various award-giving bodies. These accomplishments helped in catapulting the
company to becoming one of the most trusted pharmaceutical firms in the country. It is also an
advocate of the “Green environment” as it tries its own waste and to ensure that it complies with the
standards set by the authorities in its two plant sites in Cavite and Batangas.

Ben always takes his coffee break with Aldo Cruz, the finance manager.

Ben, the HR manager, was surprised at what he heard from Aldo.

“Hey Ben, we are really excited with what Mr. Tomas told us in our recent meeting”, Aldo blurted out.

Mr. Tomas is the chief executive officer of Stigma Pharmaceuticals.

Ben still puzzled, asked, : What was taken up during your meeting?”

The expansion in Laguna! It will be our biggest plant. Well, you will really be busy the coming weeks!”,
Aldo said excitedly.

Ben went back to his office and kept on thinking about what Aldo had said. Specifically, this statement
kept flashing through his mind: “ Recruitment will start in a few weeks!”

Several things began to bother him.

I didn’t know about the expansion. Recruitment will start very soon! Should I go to Mr. Tomas and ask
him what exactly is the expansion plan all about?” Ben asked himself.

Questions:

1.) What is the involvement of the HR DEPARTMENT, particularly in HR planning regarding the
expansion?
2.) What should Ben do with the proposed expansion?
3.) What should have been done to the meeting on the proposed expansion?
4.) What should be done so that nobody will be caught by surprise in the future?