This case describes HR’s role in the culture of three different companies. HR’s contribution to organizational success in each case can be identified and further researched. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How does the integration of HR with the organizational culture contribute to the success of Google, Scripps, and UPS? To find ideas, go to the appropriate corporate website for each of them and then search for additional insights.
> This case shows how a large firm uses recognition and awards. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Based on the Sodexo example, discuss the importance of widespread incentives in improving
> This case discusses incentive plans that stimulate employee interest and motivate them to perform well. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Why might the use of incentives in the form of g
> Both positive and negative issues associated with the use of an incentive plan are discussed in this case. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Evaluate the use of this type of incentive an
> This case deals with CEO pay for a newly hired executive at Best Buy. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Was Joly overpaid? 2. What factors probably led to this pay package? 3. If you wer
> Congratulations! You have recently been promoted and are the company’s new Human Resources Manager! You have offices in several countries, so how would you evaluate different compensation packages for employees who are located throughout the world?
> Give some examples of ethical issues that you have experienced in jobs and explain.
> Recently, larger companies have been in the news because of violations of overtime regulations. How should your Human Resources department protect itself from these devastating claims? Brainstorm some ideas on how to prevent these issues from occurring.
> United Grinding Technologies needed a compensation plan for all of its employees. Because benchmark jobs were not readily available, HR created job descriptions and matched them to jobs with BLS and trade association pay survey data. 1. How would you eva
> This case discusses how a hospital uses pay for performance to improve employee productivity. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how this case illustrates how compensation can be
> This case discusses the concerns associated with having a formal base pay system, and communication issues that occur. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. What role does equity play in thi
> This case identifies how performance management systems might be redesigned. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How do the JC Penney changes reflect a total rewards approach? 2. Discuss w
> This case identifies how the Fair Labor Standards Act might need to be reformed because of restrictions caused by workweek definitions. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Does the 40-hour
> Based on your experiences, as well as the chapter information, what are some good “rules of thumb” for conducting successful performance appraisal interviews?
> Suppose you are a supervisor. What errors might you make when preparing the performance appraisal on a clerical employee? How might you avoid those errors?
> Describe how an organizational culture and the use of performance criteria and standards affect the remaining components of a performance management system
> As the new HR Director of a company in the behavioral health industry, you have the responsibility to develop a performance management system. You need to present a business case to senior executives that the performance management system does not stand
> Why is it important for HR management to transform from being primarily administrative and operational to a more strategic contributor?
> This case describes the stack rankings system that Microsoft used for several years before dropping it. 1. What is your overall opinion of the stack ranking system? Do you think this approach serves a purpose in modern organizations? 2. If you were to im
> The case outlines what was done at Jewelers Mutual Insurance in allowing employees to have a say in performance management. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how this case illust
> This case identifies how performance management systems might be redesigned. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how this case illustrates the contrasts between the administrative
> This case provides an example of how a performance-oriented culture can be established to facilitate the performance management process. 1. Would you find working at Netflix exciting or frightening? Why? 2. Can everyone in a company be above average? If
> This case identifies the consequences of giving appraisal ratings that may not be accurate. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How have the inaccurate performance ratings created more pro
> Design a management development program for first-level supervisors in a mass-market retail company. What courses and experiences do they need?
> How have the evolving business environment and the emergence of free agent workers affected the “make-or-buy” talent decisions?
> Discuss what talent management is and why it is a consideration addressed by a growing number of employers
> You are the HR Director of a large manufacturing company that is approximately 50 years old. The company has reaped the benefits of a mostly tenured workforce, and many of the key workers are now approaching retirement age. It is anticipated that approxi
> This case describes the Leadership Academy Walmart runs to train its managers. 1. What are the pros and cons of rotating participants from in-class training back to the worksite every two weeks? What support would be needed at the worksite to ensure tha
> Discuss several areas in which HR can affect organizational culture positively or negatively.
> This case illustrates a serious concern some employers have about developing employees only to have them leave. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. As Ezra’s manager, what would you do to
> This case shows how one company in the oil industry started a succession planning program. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how NOV’s efforts combine different phases of talent
> This case demonstrates how a health care company utilized talent to better manage the development of employees. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. The top managers are very busy people. W
> Identify training needs for a group of entry-level workers in a fast food restaurant.
> Because of rapid growth of your technology company, the executive team has asked HR to develop an internal training program. The purpose of the program is to help employees recently promoted to supervisory positions develop the leadership skill sets they
> Create a briefing for division managers showing the advantages and disadvantages of using MOOCs. Use websites, including www.td.org, www.coursera.org, and www.mooc-list.com.
> Develop an orientation checklist on the basis of one first-day session and a second session of four hours 30 days later.
> Why is evaluating training an important part of strategic training?
> This case illustrates the increased role training is playing in large U.S. hotel chains. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how these hotels are using a strategic and performance
> This case illustrates the process of performance support that employees use to improve their job performance. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. The case introduces a rather complex infor
> Your company, a growing firm in the financial services industry, is extremely sensitive to the issues surrounding business ethics. The company wants to be proactive in developing a business ethics training program for all employees, both to ensure the co
> This case introduces a company that provides security personnel. Online training is not always practical, so 60% of the company's training is delivered by live instructor-led classroom sessions. Through partnerships with outside organizations, training i
> This case shows the frustration that often accompanies the first day at work, and why orientation is important in reducing turnover. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. What problems can y
> You are the HR manager for a commercial airline. You have been assigned to develop a realistic job preview for flight attendants. Your objective is to give a balanced picture of the job so that applicants will better understand what they will be asked to
> Develop a slate of six to eight behavioral interview questions to use for hiring a server for a restaurant. Review the job description on http://www.onetonline.org/ to identify essential job functions and qualifications.
> Develop a work sample test to screen applicants for a college professor’s job.
> How would you conduct a complete background investigation on applicants for the job of school bus driver to minimize concerns about negligent hiring?
> J.P. Morgan Chase & Company hired individuals in China based on their connections to the political or business elite in China rather than their skills. 1. Explain why it is or is not a good practice to consider the connections a job applicant might have
> This case demonstrates how using a test after a pool of candidates has already been interviewed can present some difficulties. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Identify and evaluate the
> This case shows how Hallmark and United Health Group use selection as part of their strategic approach to HR. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Compare and contrast the two selection str
> This case investigates how Megan’s Law, which specifies that all states must register all convicted sex offenders register so that residents are aware of their presence in a neighborhood, generates implications about the use of criminal registries in hir
> This case demonstrates the power of using data and statistical analysis to recruit high-quality workers who will perform well and stay with the company for a long time. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor compan
> Describe how a local firm might be able to utilize college/university interns to generate future applicants for anticipated job openings within the next one to two years.
> Discuss ways a regional bank could effectively use the Internet to recruit bank tellers.
> What labor markets should be considered when recruiting to fill an opening for a housekeeping staff at a local hospital? What labor markets should be considered for staffing the chief surgeon for the local hospital?
> Your small home health care service company of about 50 workers has traditionally recruited employees using newspaper print advertisements. Applications have been decreasing from these ads, so you are looking for alternative ways to generate more applica
> Staffing up for the holiday season is typically limited to a few months out of the year; thus, it is highly competitive as many retailers compete for the same talent. Tapping into databases of customers who already know the products can be an effective w
> This case shows how recruiting policies can work against successful recruiting when a tight labor market exists. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. List the reasons why you would not cons
> This case highlights how the car manufacturer utilized an extensive recruiting process to hire good employees at a facility located in Georgia. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Describe
> This case shows that to be able to define workers as independent contractors, an organization must meet several legal requirements that distinguish independent contractors from employees. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit th
> This case highlights how a large car rental firm uses a range of recruiting approaches successfully. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How does having multiple recruiting means help Ente
> Large food services and distribution firm Sysco had to revise its HR management. Review this case and identify how the changes at Sysco modified HR’s importance. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion web
> Describe your expectations for a job. How well does your employer meet the expectations you hold about the psychological contract?
> Your company has reaped the benefits of having long-term, tenured employees, but many of them are now approaching retirement. It is anticipated that approximately 20% of the company’s workforce will retire in the next three to five years. In reviewing th
> As the HR manager you must provide the senior management team with turnover costs for the following high-turnover position. Use Web sites such as www.talentkeepers.com and www.keepemployees.com, to calculate turnover and analyze the variables involved. A
> If you became the new manager at a restaurant with high employee turnover, what actions would you take to increase retention of employees?
> This case describes one firm’s approach to improving employee retention. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how the culture of the Clothing Store is fostered by the HR activities
> This case discusses how Alegant, a large nonprofit health care system, improved employee retention and reduced turnover. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how Alegent’s practices
> Explain how you would conduct a job analysis in a company that has never had job descriptions. Utilize the O*Net as a resource for your information.
> For many individuals, the nature of work and jobs is changing. Describe these changes, some reasons for them, and how they are affecting both human resource management and individuals.
> You have recently assumed the role of Human Resource Manager in your company. In reviewing the company records, you note that the job descriptions were last updated five years ago. The company’s President has taken the position that there is no need to u
> This case describes how a printing firm had to increase productivity and redesign jobs. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss why Donnelley had to coordinate HR activities with the c
> This case describes a small company that has grown large enough to need a full-time HR person. You have been selected to be the HR Manager, and you have to decide what HR activities are needed and the role HR is to play. (For the case, go to www.cengage.
> This case illustrates how incomplete job analysis and job descriptions create both managerial and employee problems. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Why did the absence of accurate job
> This case shows how a health care organization uses flexible work arrangements to provide care for patients, as well as to attract and keep employees. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. H
> This case illustrates flexible scheduling at Best Buy. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss how a ROWE-type program would fit in organizations where you have worked. Explain why it
> Discuss some of the protected characteristics covered by equal employment opportunity laws and why they are important in today’s employment setting
> You recently learned that two of your key female employees will be taking maternity leave around the same time. What procedures or rules do you need to be aware of based on the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)?
> When a UPS employee’s pregnancy was discovered, her manager placed her on unpaid leave. She pursued a complaint in federal court that UPS violated the requirements of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). The courts decided that UPS was not in violatio
> This case shows how companies must deal with employees from many cultures and religions. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. What is the legal basis for the EEOC to hold that JBS-SWIFT had
> This case shows the problems Mitsubishi had with sexual harassment in the United States. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss why making changes such as Mitsubishi did is important
> This case illustrates the problems that can be associated with the use of employment tests that have not been validated. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. If you were an EEO investigator
> This case discusses how labor laws in China provide limited protection for workers, raising ethical concerns when U.S. companies do business with firms located there. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companio
> This case describes a company that must reduce its workforce due to the 2008 global recession. The approach used was global in nature, and downsizing efforts were highly coordinated and consistent across all areas of the business. (For the case, go to ww
> What steps can HR professionals take to ensure that mergers and acquisitions are successful? How can HR help during the integration process?
> How can an organization maintain its image while dealing with a talent surplus? If layoffs are necessary, what would you recommend managers do to ensure that survivors remain committed and productive?
> Discuss how globalization has changed jobs in an organization where you have worked. What are some HR responses to those changes?
> As the HR Director of a U.S.-based company that is looking at global opportunities in China, you have been asked by the company president to prepare an outline for an HR strategic plan as part of the company’s expansion process. You need to develop an HR
> HR analytics at four different organizations helped solve several problems, and this case shows how analytics can be used. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How can HR professionals deve
> This case identifies problems associated with HR planning and recruiting in a tight labor market. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. How does this case illustrate the lack of HR planning?
> Discuss the following statement: If management gets a union, it deserves one.
> There has been some discussion among the employees in your company’s insurance claims processing unit about forming a union. Company management has asked you to research existing labor agreements in the industry. You utilize the Department of Labor’s Off
> Several states have limited public-sector union power. What are some reasons for lawmakers taking this stand? What are the advantages and disadvantages of workers in the public sector belonging to labor unions? How does this impact taxpayers?
> As the HR manager, you have heard rumors about potential efforts to unionize your warehouse employees. Use the Employment Law Information Network (www.elinfonet.com/human-resources/Union-Avoidance) website to develop a set of guidelines for supervisors i
> Suppose a coworker just brought you a union leaflet urging employees to sign an authorization card. What questions would you ask of the union supporter? What may happen from this point on?
> This case illustrates how turnover in a company was dealt with by surveying current and former employees to develop better HR strategies. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Why do more co
> The case involves the decision of Volkswagen Motors employees to reject unionization. 1. Under what circumstances might a company side with a union in its attempt to organize employees? How would you, as an employee, feel if your employer supported you j
> This case covers Walmart’s efforts to stay nonunion. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of Walmart’s aggressive union prevention efforts.
> The case deals with labor disputes in a unionized hospital. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Discuss the hospital administrator’s refusal to bargain from both his viewpoint and a legal
> The case discusses how unions sometimes compete to represent workers and explores experiences at the Denver Sheriff’s Department. (For the case, go to www.cengage.com/management/mathis or visit the instructor companion website.) 1. Is it good or bad for
> Give some examples of how technology is creating employer–employee rights and policy issues. Then suggest some possible actions that may be needed.
> Identify how overreliance on the employment-at-will doctrine can create problems for supervisors and employees. What are the ramifications if companies default to EAW rather than dealing directly with employee conduct problems?
