978-0134320540 Chapter 12 Solution Manual

Unlock access to all the studying documents.

View Full Document

VIII. Discussion Questions and Suggested Answers

12.1. Discuss some of the problems that companies are likely to face when both

contingent workers and core employees work in the same location. Does it

matter whether contingent workers and core employees are performing the

same jobs? Explain your answer.

Possible problems that may arise when companies put contingent workers and core

employees in the same location are mentality differences, attitude differences, and work

reliance conflicts. Mentality issues generally emerge when one type of employee may

12.2. Companies generally pay temporary employees lower wages and offer fewer

benefits than they extend to their core counterparts. Nevertheless, what are

some of the possible drawbacks for companies that employ temporary

workers? Do you believe that these drawbacks outweigh the cost savings?

Explain your reasoning.

Answer to this question can be found in the MyLab

12.3. What arguments can be made in favor of using compressed work week

schedules for companies that pursue lowest-cost strategies? What are the

arguments against using compressed work week schedules in such situations?

Compressed work week schedules are profitable for companies that pursue lowest-cost

strategies because it reduces the number of times employees must commute between

12.4. What impact will flexible work schedules have on employees’ commitment to

their employers? On employee productivity? On company effectiveness?

170

Some U.S. companies use flexible work schedules to help employees balance the

demands of work and home life. Flextime, compressed work weeks, and telecommuting

should provide single parents or dual-career parents the opportunity to schedule work

12.5. Discuss whether you believe that telecommuting arrangements should apply

to certain job groups rather than all job groups in a company. Provide

rationale.

Answer to this question can be found in the MyLab

IX. End of Chapter Case; Instructor Notes, and Questions and Suggested

Student Responses

Case Name: Telecommuting at MedEx

Instructor Notes:

Telecommuting creates a flexible work arrangement that allows employees to work from

home, for at least part of the standard workweek. This option can be considered a

valuable benefit to employees, particularly if they are challenged with balancing their

work and home life. Telecommuting is most appropriate for positions where employees

work independently and do not need frequent interactions with co-workers. The

Specialists in this case work in positions that are most likely appropriate for

telecommuting as they work independently on their own accounts.

Suggested Student Responses:

12.6. Would offering telecommuting as an option benefit MedEx? How?

Offering the option for telecommuting could help improve employee satisfaction by

giving employees more flexibility. The Specialists could save money on gas and parking

171

12.7. Are there any disadvantages or challenges in offering telecommuting?

Establishing a telecommuting option could be complex for MedEx as they determine how

they will ensure that the employees have the equipment and supplies that they need.

12.8. What do you recommend MedEx do? Why?

Students will most likely suggest that MedEx offers the telecommuting option. While it

would take some effort to develop a thorough telecommuting policy, the company will

X. Crunch the Numbers! Questions and Suggested Student Responses

Calculating the Costs of Full-time and Part-time Employment

12.9. Based exclusively on employing full-time workers, (a) How many are needed

to complete the project? (b) What is the estimated total cost of wages and

benefits?

172

12.10. Based exclusively on employing part-time workers, (a) How many are needed

to complete the project? (b) What is the estimated total cost of wages and

benefits?

100,000 hours / 5 workweeks = 20,000 hours per workweek

100,000 hours x $3.37 per hour for benefits = $337,000

12.11. Assume that your company has asked you to calculate the cost of staffing the

project with a combination of full- and part-time workers. You’ve already

hired 15 full-time workers. (a) How many part-time workers should you

hire? (b) What is the total cost of wages and benefits based on employing this

mix of full- and part-time workers?

15 full-time workers x 40 hours per week x 5 weeks = 3,000 hours

173

Full-time wages and benefits:

Total for full-time and part-time workers: $1,586,290

XI. Assisted-graded Questions

12.12. Explain leased employee arrangements. Discuss employee benefits for leased

workers.

12.13. Provide your reactions to the following statement: Contingent workers

should be compensated on a pay-for-knowledge system.

Answer to this question can be found in the MyLab

12.14. MyManagementLab Only—comprehensive writing assignment for this

chapter

XII. Additional Cases from the MyManagementLab Website; Instructor Notes,

and Questions and Suggested Student Responses

Case Name: A New Leader at Stylings

Instructor Notes:

The CEO is responsible for implementing an organization’s competitive strategies and in

many cases, has the greatest impact on organizational success. As such, an attractive

174

Suggested Student Responses:

12.15. What role does the compensation package play in attracting the right talent

for the CEO position?

The CEO holds a significant responsibility in ensuring the success of an organization. A

AACSB: Analytical thinking

12.15. What are some recommendations the consultant may provide to the Board

for the compensation package?

As base pay is typically a smaller part of a CEO’s compensation package, the

recommendations are likely to focus on other aspects of compensation. With the

175