57
Chapter 4
SUPPLEMENTAL CASES
The Reluctant Receptionist -This case illustrates how incomplete job analysis and
Questions
1. Why did the absence of accurate job information create problems?
2. To prevent future problems, what content should be in a job description for the
HR assistant?
Comments
The importance of job descriptions and job specifications is highlighted in this case.
Lack of a prepared job description has led to the firm’s losing an employee after only
a short time because the HR director misrepresented the job. By seeing a job
description, an applicant can gain a more accurate picture of the expectations
associated with a job. Preparation of a job description would also provide the basis
for developing a clear job specification that the HR manager could use in recruiting,
selecting, and training an HR assistant.
1. Discuss why Donnelley had to coordinate HR activities with the changes in
jobs and work.
Donnelley had to coordinate HR activities with the changes in jobs and work because
2. Identify examples of how technology has changed jobs where you have
worked and what HR activities were handled well and poorly.
Students will probably describe situations where automation of some procedures was
put into place or when there was a change in the technology. For example, many