Exam 3: Defining and Designing the Work

Which of the following is NOT a dimension of the job characteristics model?

Various HRM processes and practices make use of the output of job analysis.

Which of the following are two job design strategies?

Job specifications,and summary of the major duties as outlined in the job description,provide a basis for attracting and recruiting qualified applicants.

Scenario 3.1: Make a Splash You are the newly hired Out of School Supervisor reporting to the Child Care Manager at the new H20 recreation complex in the growing community of Northfield in northern Saskatchewan.The new child care program is just one of the many Y programs that range from swimming and fitness to youth leadership and outdoor programs.The Director of the complex plans to offer over 50 new 'first time' programs this upcoming fall and winter so that the community has activities to enjoy during the cold seasons.The community spent several years working with the YMCA-YWCA's to raise funds to build this recreation centre with the goal to help build a healthier community. Your new job requires you to hire,supervise and manage the performance of all the childcare leaders in the proposed day camps,preschool programs and the two out of school care programs.These programs would provide child care to more than 110 families.You anticipate that you will require 15 new part-time and 5 full-time child care leaders as well as 1 part-time clerk and 1 full-time office administrator.What is most important is that all the newly hired childcare leaders not only assist in providing lots of fun and play-based educational programming,but also ensure that the children's safety and supervision occurs according to provincial licensing requirements and standards at all times.Criminal record checks will be conducted.Childcare leaders must be 19 years of age (licensing standards),with a minimum of 1 year childcare-related experience,have a current First Aid and CPR certificate,and have completed a course or a combination of courses of a least 40 hours duration in child development,health and safety,and nutrition.Further certification and education in a child centred discipline is considered an asset. The Director stated that a few sample job advertisements had been collected from other Ys but that they have not had time to write job descriptions for any of the new jobs.The Director gave you a copy of the local newspaper advertisement for the 7 lifeguard positions which simply listed the lifeguard certifications required.The Director stated that job descriptions are of limited value because they are time-consuming to write and would inhibit the new childcare leaders' and lifeguards' flexibility to do the wide range of tasks required of them when opening a new facility,but then left the decision to write or not to write job descriptions up to you.You decide to write job descriptions. -Please refer to Scenario 3.1.What would you tell the Director is your main reason for deciding to write a job description for the future childcare leaders?

Pushing down decision-making responsibility to those close to internal and external customers is the essence of empowerment.

Standards of performance establish the management's right to take corrective action when the duties specified in the job description are not performed accordingly.

Participation,innovation,access to information,and maintaining the status quo are the four conditions that organizations must encourage to realize the benefits of empowerment.

What is the human resource function called when a manager uses the information on the job description as a basis for identifying the physical and mental capabilities required to perform the job,and the work environment conditions to ensure jobs are performed safely?

Stating the job specifications enhances the process of locating and encouraging potential applicants to apply for job openings.

A manager is having difficulty distinguishing between a job position,a job,or work.Which phrase best defines a position?

The employee's ability to participate in decision making can be enhanced or hindered by the manner in which jobs are designed.

Scenario 3.2: From Grapes to Wine You are the production manager who oversees the grape pickers and winery production workers at Valley Hills Estate Winery. Grape Pickers and Winery Production Labourers Valley Hills Family Estate Winery Okanagan Falls,British Columbia Valley Hills Family Estate Winery is recruiting flexible,short-term employees to assist with both grape picking,packing and processing during their harvest season.They are responsible for operating tools and machines that assist in picking,packing and processing grapes for the production of wine.Shifts will vary between days,afternoons and some graveyards from September to November,2012.Five casual grape picker labourers and seven winery production labourers (6 seasonal and 1 full-time).You are committed to working in a safe manner as required.A strong work ethic with experience working in vineyards,wineries,production,or warehousing is required.Production and safety-specific certifications such as Forklift Operator's Certificate are also considered valuable assets for this position.Both grape pickers and winery production labourers must be comfortable meeting the physical requirements of the position including bending,reaching,standing for long periods of time,navigating stairs and lifting up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.Labourers must meet established time standards to maximize efficiency in outdoor,damp cellar,production and/or warehouse environments.Labourers must be able to handle clearly defined,highly specialized,repetitive tasks. -Please refer to Scenario 3.2.What job design considerations may help deal with the dehumanizing aspects of the repetitive and boring assembly line production work at Valley Hills Family Estate Winery?

What data would you need to consider in writing a job specification?

It is important for line managers to support and encourage employee empowerment,employee involvement,and employee teams in order for initiatives to succeed.

Employee empowerment succeeds regardless of whether the culture of the organization is receptive or unreceptive to change.

What would you include in the job duties section of a job description?

What is job specification data?

Job specifications usually cover two areas: (1)the skill required to perform the job and (2)the level of autonomy inherent in the position.

For what section of the job description would information be provided by asking a job analysis question such as "What knowledge or skills are required to successfully fulfill your job responsibilities?"