Introduction:
The overall objectives of this report is to help them in adapting a concrete methodology that is applicable in project management in the form of organizing change that allows the employees to engage in a form of empowerment in the manufacturing cells and through the identification of the requirements that facilitate the self-directed concept implementation and assessment. One of the critical elements in developing and advancing the changes in the social systems like the teams is the fact that there is need to conduct a thorough change management as well as project management based on the literature therein.
Findings and recommendations on the use of ‘self-managed’ or semi-autonomous teams in manufacturing:
Semi-autonomous work developed towards labor productivity will highly depend on a simplified project management methodology for the purposes of implementing self-management units which are a form of organization that the employee groups are placed in charge for completing the sequence of work within the process production for the goods for the clients both internal and external (Price, 2007). Such types of work will be because of a couple of years based on the research-action methodology that is applicable to self-management units in manufacturing company for auto parts. The accomplishment of the semi-autonomous work team as well as its implementation is achieved through improving the trend in logistics and inventory reduction. Some of the benefits of inducing such a trend in managing self-managed teams will include cost savings in which organizations such as this report annual savings of a great percentage due to the same implementation of the same(Sparrow, Brewster & Harris, 2004).
This also increases the levels of innovation through which the members develop the freedom of reviewing and improving the working practices. This also stretches to the effective decision making where self-managed teams are able to develop decision-making skills that are quicker or more effective. Further, there is an increased level of productivity as the teams work for the purposes of attaining common goal as well as developing a more responsible status for their respective actions. In the event that they are successful, self-managed teams become more productive as compared to other types of team. Most probably, the self-managed teams are endeavoring towards the achievement of outcomes put in place with the team for the organization's management (Nealon, 1996). On the other hand, within the team there could be aspects of secret agendas. It is for such a reason that there might be a need to seek to achieve most of the agreed outcomes in the form of an indication, which self-managed teams are functioning in a commendable approach of success and efficiency. The achievements of self-managed teams are particularly significant where elements in such an organization which are dubious on the technique of implementing such teams.
One of the mitigating factors in downgrading the position will mean that the employees will eventually retain grade for several years as well as retaining the pay. With reference to pay retention rules, the relative rates of pay gradually decline other than falling within the pay’s scope for the new grades. The other critical success factor for such self-managed teams is their ability of positively responding to evaluation as well as identifying where such improvements are made as well as develop plans of implementing changes as they needed for the purposes of delivering them (, 2004). In establishing a considerable advantage of increasing the level of compatibility between employees and employers, the self-managed teams need to relieve stress to sustain the leader who is able to eventually concentrate on subsequent tasks.These teams are mutually supportive as well as members for learning from others other than having to approach the team leadership for advice.
Findings and recommendations on the possible pay systems that might be used in a team working situation:
This technique is usually used in the determination of target performances as well as providing the basis for most other schemes for workers. In the systems for particular tasks, a 'standard output level' or 'standard time' is set by work-study or through rate-fixers. On the other hand, work study will be used in the calculation of basic time for certain tasks through the use of laid down methods such as observing workers as they perform their operation as well as taking into account respective rates of working. In performing the task, all incentive payments will be later linked to the overall performances as well as the output achieved in relation to the standard, and the time saved (Kaufman & Taras, 2000). The standard formulas are frequently engaged in calculating the incentive payment as well as the examples of these, which are some of the commonly used schemes. Even as setting such standard times will usually include the valuation of assessments of the manner in which an individual does perform and which can develop significant impacts with special focus on the bonus earnings like judgments that usually result in disputes. In a situation where the factory is considering the existence of any relationship between performance and reward, there is a general starting point in which additional pay attracts sub sequential performance at or below such a point (Simons, 2011). It is important to note that the variations in the systems do not involve any additional payment. However, all performance over and above the starting point will eventually attract additional payment on the proportions of basic wages as well as bonus calculators. Such a scheme is 'straight proportional' hence; it will allow the rewards to gradually rise with a direct proportion to a defined rise in performance. Some of these proportional incentive schemes are commonly used in the day-to-day engagements (Milkovich &Wigdor, 1991). The pay systems should also include provisions that cover the impacts of downtime and other non-productive time based on the level of pay. Such systems need to undergo fair and regular control, whichis reviewed for the purposes of ensuring that there are no standards aimed at degenerating work-measured initiatives. The main operations of such a scheme need to attract successive auditing on a regular periodicity. The arrangements in such instances will have to be in place in order ensure that they are well accommodated to address changes in methods, material, specifications and product as well as the re-measurement of any job as deemed necessary.
Work-measured systems are appropriate in manufacturing organizations, which work on relatively short-cycle repetitive types of work in which changes in processes and procedures are infrequent and in which hold ups or downtime that are rare and that the management needs to be in a position of successfully managing the pay system to increase the levels of productivity. It is on these grounds that procedures need to be put in place to enable them deal with all forms of grievances and issues that might arise. The focus should also be spread to the simplest systems that require different sets of rules and guidelines that ensure fairness as well as equal earning opportunities for all equal efforts (Hunter, 2006). In installing this pay system, some of the preparations that need to be in place include briefing the entire workforce on the dynamics of the new system as well as how it is meant to function. There needs to be sufficient training supervisors, managers including all worker representatives in order to make sure that there is an understanding of the nature of the pay system. This will also stretch to answering most of the potential queries through agreements on communications policies with all kinds of working groups and employee representatives as a way of eradicating misunderstandings. Additionally, in case the new system is rather expected to eventually improve productivity through making sure that most of the departments are in a position of responding to proper system’s documentation to minimize the various potential misunderstandings.
Findings and recommendations on the role any trade union might play if the plant manager seeks to change work organisation or pay arrangements in the factory:
One of the most significant roles of a trade union especially in the manufacturing sector is the fact that they are instrumental in giving impartial and confidential information as well as advice on trade union involvement in the plant decisions and procedures. This can also be viewed in the dimension of resolving disputes even as the union in questions makes claim for statutory recognition. In the end, this will enable profound assistance in developing membership checks and ballots for the purposes of helping them resolve workplace issues. The act of assisting the employers draw up recognition and procedural work agreements will be critical in solving their problems (Krausert, 2011). Other than through , the impacts of trade unions and their activities vary through the provision of benefits to its members. While early trades unions such as in most cases provided a broad category of benefits towards insuring its members against aspects , funeral expenses, old age and ill health. In other developed situations, the top management will assume the functions. However, having to provide of legal advice, professional training and representation for members will remain an important trade union membership benefit.
Through offering protection to workers, the trade unions are critical in preventing over exploitation of workers as well as increasing their wages and therefore reducing inequality. that trade unions are able to enforce and resistance to various forms of in furthering particular goals. Through the involvement of the trade unions in political activity, they are able to promote legislation suitable to the stakeholder interests and their workers as a unit. Up to this end, they are in a position of pursuing campaigns, undertaking lobby groups, or providing financially support individual candidates for such purposes. The trade unions will also be instrumental in delivering collective agreements, which are in most cases, on a sector basis (Harcourt & Wood, 2006). Here, it becomes the best option to collude with a trade union that was previously involved in bargaining for collective workplace agreement that are applicable to most is applicable to various manufacturing plants. This ensures that the union actually represents the interests and at the same time, familiar with all the working conditions that prevail the various fields. Similarly, it is worth remembering that in the event that there is any dispute, the registered trades union that were involved in the collective agreement bargaining may eventually take such disputes to the industrial tribunal. In another view, the case will attract a hearing in a district court.
The trade unions will be instrumental in stipulating all bonus schemes to incorporate quality measurements and customer service indicators for all assessments for the purposes of avoiding the possibility of workers compromising or cutting corners safe working methods to increase their levels of output. Even though this may affect their earnings through drastic fluctuations, they are of no fault to the individual. Managers and supervisors may often fail to undertake their responsibilities for their workers through elements of inconsiderate work allocation and the use of the incentive systems to eventually control output. This trend means that targets may not remain accurate enough and this could result in a perception of jobs that are either easy or difficult. Additionally, material shortages and delays have a high probability of affecting production (Griffin & Moorhead, 2011). In this way, the trade union is able to use the process of collective bargaining in achieving a work environment, which is free from unwarranted and unwanted conduct of inappropriate nature. In addition, it is able to influence the various conduct based issues affecting the dignity of work and freedom from victimization of any complainant and persons wishing to come forward with evidence in a situation of a complaint.
Findings and recommendations on what might be the qualifications and role of an HR manager recruited to succeed the retiring manager:
The educational backgrounds of managers and specialists in areas of human resources, training, as well as labor relations considerably vary based on the levels of responsibility and diversity of duties. In filling such entry-level jobs, most employers will look for college graduates who are essentially majors in human resources administration, or labor and industrial relations. On the other hand, subsequent employers seek college graduates who have technical or business backgrounds and sufficient liberal arts education. Many universities and colleges have developed programs that lead to the attainment of a degree in labor relations, human resources, or personnel. While some offer, direct degree programs in human resources management or human resources administration, development and training, or benefits and compensation (Farnham, 2000). For advanced degrees, there is an increasingly important relevance to most of these jobs. These means that labor relations jobs will have the graduate studying for industrial or labor relations. This affects a strong background for the areas of industrial relations as well as the law, which is highly desirable for arbitrators, mediators, and contract negotiators. In fact, most people within these specialties double as lawyers. Additionally, sufficient backgrounds in law are desirable for managing employee benefits and others who need to interpret the overall growth of laws and regulations (Dyer &Dyer, 2010). Advanced educational qualifications in human resources, business administration, or in labor relations with further concentration in human resources management becomes highly recommendable for aspects that seek general positions as well as those at top management. In other specialized jobs within the human resources sector, prior experience is regarded to as a fundamental asset. In most advanced positions such as those that managers and arbitrators and mediators term as essential have the employers preferring entry-level workers that have accrued some experience in the course of their internships as well as work-study programs while still within schools.
Human resources development and human resources administration have a high affinity for their abilities to work together with individuals and develop a commitment to the overall organizational goals. Such a field will also demand various skills which people continue developing elsewhere with computers, selling, teaching, supervising, and volunteering. The field of human resources will demand a wide range of personal skills and qualities (Simons, 2011). Specialists and managers in human resources training, and labor relations need to be effective and fluent speakers and writers. The growth in diversity within the workforce will require that work is carefully done and supervision of the people that have various cultural backgrounds, levels of experience, and education is adhered to. They need to be in a position of coping with conflicting points of view, function under pressure as well as demonstrate discretion, fair-mindedness, integrity, and cultivate a persuasive, congenial personality. In the long run, the duties and responsibilities awarded to entry-level workers continuously vary on the basis of whether or not the new workers have sufficient academic qualifications in human resource management or have completed an internship (Aamodt, 2012). This could also touch on the types of experience that human resources personnel in question has. The entry-level of employees is commonly aimed at ensuring that there is an enabling profession through the performance of administrative duties that help in entering data into computer systems and compiling employee handbooks. The skills will also be relevant in researching information for various supervisors and handling routine questions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, based on the preferences of the school and organizing change in project management of courses that lead to careers in human resources management are found in educational departments of business administration, human services, communication, organizational development, instructional technology, or public administration. All entry-level workers will usually enter into formal as well as on-the-job training programs that they learn how best to classify their respective jobs, interview applicants through administering appropriate employee benefits. Work measured schemes are a viable way of establishing pay systems in the organization and if there are any issues, trade unions come in handy in helping attach sustainable solutions for disputes over workplace disputes through voluntary means.
References:
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