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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
