Individual Case Analysis on Manny Isn't Everything

Tee, Richard Allen Chong             LS 135 – Section X                December 3, 2015

Individual Case Analysis on “Manny Isn’t Everything”

Summary of the Case

        In this case analysis, it talks about the relationship of Manny Hernandez (shift supervisor) and Fred Moran (one of his cutters). Manny classified Fred Moran as a flamboyant and chatty employee, and he feels like he is not working up to par with the standards of the company. He felt like what Fred was doing (horsing around, chatting and telling jokes with other co-employees) has been affecting their production targets and are not maximizing or optimizing the productivity of the company. Added to this, it has been troublesome for him to lead the team, because the other employees or staff looked at Fred as their informal leader. Despite trying to talk to the problematic employee, Fred seemed to not get what he is doing wrong and the two cannot see eye-to-eye with how they should run the production to maximize their productivity and to further improve their earnings/incentives.

Questions for Individual Case Analysis

1. Is there a problem at Solid Garment Factory? If so, what is the main problem? Why would you consider it the main problem?

        I do think there is a problem at the Solid Garment Factory. I believe that the main problem of the Solid Garment factory would be the tension-filled conflict between Manny Hernandez and Fred Moran. There is a disparity between the two on how things should be done and they have two different motivations – one is incentives or monetary means, the other is peers’ affirmation or getting along with his colleagues.

         Manny Hernandez has a problem on being too focused on getting the production done and earning more money. He is more concerned on results and not looking beyond the bigger picture – welfare of his employees or their needs that are more than monetary. Fred Moran on the other hand focuses more on building relationships and wants a more stress-free and relaxed working environment. He is easily satisfied with reaching quota and horseplaying with other employees, and this is problematic, because it distracts others, loses opportunity in producing more and given that he is the “informal leader”, causes complacency in the factory.

        I believe that this is a main problem, because the conflict of interest between the two might blow out of proportions and will cause a big rift in the factory. Given that the bond of the employees are really tight, the conflict between the two might escalate to the workers and might indirectly influence them to turn against Manny. From a small conflict, it might turn into a bigger problem, because the employees might turn against their boss or might start working unproductively.

2. As the new HR consultant, what key issues would you immediately address? Enumerate these issues and state why you consider them critical.