Poultry Processing Plants: The Organizational Effect Of Covid-19

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Running head: POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS 1

Poultry Processing Plants: The Organizational Effect of COVID-19

Roshell R. Brown

Wilmington University

MGT- 6502 Academic Research Writing

June 21, 2020

POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS 2

Background

While not currently employed in the poultry processing sector, news of its current

troubles are still unsettling for me as one of the facilities is located in my neighborhood. Just

recently Tyson Foods has come under fire for what looks like putting profits ahead of its

employees and it has drawn major scrutiny from the media, press, and each of its plant location’s

surrounding communities. Unfortunately, becoming known for undermining the health and well-

being of the organization’s workforce members does very little to develop a strong corporate

culture within Tyson’s organization. Also, not taking the current pandemic seriously enough in

the beginning does not equate to keeping in good standing with company investors and the

public (Almeida, 2020).

Industry/Sector discussion. Tyson Foods has been in the poultry processing industry

since before the 1950’s, but did not start vertical integration until such time (Our History, 2020).

Tyson Foods has facilities operating in America, as well as aboard. The company is nestled in a

profitable position in the meat processing sector and not only processes poultry, but beef as well

(Almeida, 2020). Not only that, the company has an impressive portfolio, as it has numerous

brands and entities such as: Jimmy Dean, Hillshire, Ballpark, Aidells, Sara Lee, The Hillshire

Brands Company, Healthy Frozen Food, Inc., Tyson Sales & Distribution, Inc., Tyson Foods

Canada Inc., and Wunderbar (20181472: KSLB Group Holdings, LLC; Tyson Family 2009

Trust, 2018).

Research has shown, “In November 2019 it was estimated that the company employed

over 122,000 in the United States and 19,000 abroad for a total of 141,000 worldwide”

(Shahbandeh, 2019).

POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS 3

With all the employees that the company has on its payrolls there are surely challenges

and responsibilities for making sure that the employees are well cared for and that the product

gets produced in a fairly efficient timeframe. These responsibilities paired with the recent onset

of COVID-19 can trigger a breakdown in the organization rather quickly.

According to Galimberti, “The poultry processing sector has a history of not respecting

human and worker rights” (Almeida, 2020). Galimberti says, “It is widely known that the

objective of companies like Tyson Foods has been short-term profit without protecting the long-

term sustainability of the sector” (Almeida, 2020). To back up the comment data has been

retrieved that supports the claim. Unfortunately for the company a recent Bloomberg.com article

informs its readers, “More than 10,000 American meat workers have been infected with the

virus, and at least 30 have died, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

estimates” (Almeida, 2020).

Organizational Theory. Tyson Foods, like many others in the meat/poultry processing

industry, practices the Scientific Organizational theory. This theory was developed by Frederick

Winslow Taylor, and was popular in the 1880s and 1890s in U.S. manufacturing industries

(Scientific Management Theory by Taylor, 2020). This theory is based upon the following

objectives: Prevent the wastage of time, Reduce the cost of production, Secure the labor in

industry, Increase the efficiency of the workers, and Develop the relationship between workers

and managers (Scientific Management Theory by Taylor, 2020).

Although many of these objectives are being carried out two of the most important ones

appear to be lacking or falling short in the organizational objectives these days (develop the

relationship between workers and managers and secure the labor in industry).

Commented [TH1]: Good job identifying an applicable theory

POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS 4

Ethical Implications. The ethical implications brewing could be detrimental to the

management and leadership of the organization, its employees, the industry, and society as a

whole, if not resolved. Management and leadership could find themselves having a harder time

trying to get employees to show up to work and follow the rules that are set forth. The employees

would most likely suffer from low morale and be afraid to come to work since so many people

are becoming infected and some are even dying (Almeida, 2020). Not only are they risking

getting sick, but they are putting their family members and members of the community at greater

risk. The investors of the industry have already shown their disapproval in the way that things

are being handled amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Almeida (2020) noted:

Investors are urging the likes of Tyson Foods Inc. and JBS SA to take steps including

enforcing social distancing, providing personal protective equipment and opposing any

federal or state policies that deny unemployment benefits or stimulus relief to staff that

refuse to go back to work due to fear of being infected, according to a statement by the

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility signed by more than 100 global investors.

If the problem is left unresolved the poultry processing giant will not have enough workforce to

complete the production at hand and will most likely be subject to more protest than they already

have. Another issue is that food could possibly become contaminated from employees that are

processing the meat while sick. While there are potential barriers to resolving the problem at

hand such as, not enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to go around to employees,

problems installing the plexiglass barriers and keeping employees at least 6 feet apart (Meat and

Poultry Processing Workers and Employers-Interim Guidance from CDC and the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2020).

POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS 5

Essentially, doing nothing is just not a feasible option. If the problem is resolved, most

likely Tyson Foods will be able to bounce back and secure and protect the employees needed to

reach some of its current processing goals (even if it is slower than usual).

To solve its problem the company should consider shielding workers from various

hazards in meat and poultry by a hazard or exposure source, install engineering controls and

implement effective sanitation and cleaning; enhanced administrative measures might also be

needed (Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers-Interim Guidance from CDC and

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2020). Also, employee and visitor

screening procedures need to be put in place. These can be things like temperature monitoring