5. Laurie Siegel, senior vice president of human resources for Tyco International, took over her job just after numerous charges forced the company’s previous board of directors and top executives to leave the firm. Hired by new CEO Edward Breen, Siegel had to tackle numerous difficult problems starting the moment she assumed office.

For example, she had to help hire a new management team. She had to do something about what the outside world viewed as a culture of questionable ethics at her company. And she had to do something about the company’s top management compensation plan, which many felt contributed to the allegations by some that former company officers had used the company as a sort of private ATM.

Siegel came to Tyco after a very impressive career.

For example, she had been head of executive compensation at AlliedSignal, and was a graduate of the Harvard Business School. But, as strong as her background was, she obviously had her work cut out for her when she took the senior vice president of HR position at Tyco.

Working individually or in groups, conduct an Internet search and library research to answer the following questions:

What human resource management–related steps did Siegel take to help get Tyco back on the right track? Do you think she took the appropriate steps? Why or why not?

What, if anything, do you suggest she do now?