Exam 3: Defining and Designing the Work

What job description approach do organizations operating in fast-moving environments use that focuses on standards of performance by describing how the work is to be done and what results are expected on a regular basis?

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 include in the job summary section of the job descriptions?

Managers sometimes feel threatened by the growing power of teams and the reduced power of management.

Which best describes the relationship between job requirements and HRM processes?

Valuing of individuals for their abilities to abandon their views in favour of achieving team consensus is one of the hallmarks of successful teams.

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 include in the job specifications section of the job descriptions?

Which of the following is a job description approach that you can use in environments where job data quickly becomes inaccurate and outdated?

The purpose of job analysis is to improve organizational performance and productivity.

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 consideration is being used in the production of wines at Valley Hills Family Estate Winery?

The information collected through the job analysis process is organized into a job description.

Managers and supervisors are seen more as coaches,facilitators,and integrators of team efforts.

Which of the following is NOT a consideration in job design?

What is the role of job analysis in HRM and how does it relate to other HRM functions?

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.As the Out of School Supervisor,how many jobs will you be hiring for?

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.The labourer's role requires "experience working in vineyards,wineries,production,or warehousing." What is this an example of?

Employee teams are groups of employees who assume a greater role in the production or service process.

What is the section of a job description known as that describes the overall purpose of the job?

When writing a job description,it is essential to use statements that are concise,direct,and simply worded.

Because of increased employee participation in management decision making,organizations will need to redefine the role of managers.

Inherent in the concept of employee teams is that managers are in the best position to contribute to workplace improvements.