As part of the latest workplace agreement, an organisation is about to introduce multiskilling for all employees. The goal is to enhance efficiency, flexibility and job satisfaction and help the organisation become an employer of choice.

Tom, the Section Manager is responsible for developing and implementing learning plans for the employees in their sections. These are put in place to ensure that all the employees can benefit from equal opportunity and health, safety and welfare professional development and that a net 3% gain in productivity six months after the training is completed. Measures of each section's success also include attendance rate, labour retention rates, number of grievances registered and output to costs ratios.

Tom can see many apparent benefits for the employees. A great variety of tasks and

increased skills will provide better job satisfaction, and flexibility resulting from multiskilling taking place. Employees will have the opportunity to undertake complete projects and take on more responsibility and decision making in their roles.

Tom can see plenty of other benefits to the organisation apart from those stated in the

workplace agreement: multi-skilled staff, improved occupational health and safety, improved and easier recruitment and retention due to increased level of job satisfaction, more effective use of technology, improved staff morale, it sounds too good to be true.

Read the scenario carefully and answer the following questions:

Questions

Q1. Give examples of how Tom can communicate the new organisational direction and values to the staff.

Q2. What impact will Tom's role as a leader have during this organisational change? What strategies can he use?

Q3. Explain how Tom should analyse and confirm the capacity and competence of relevant team members to find out how they can contribute to the change process and implementation plans.

Q4. What strategies can Tom use to develop a learning and communication solutions to address any problems and risks arising for individuals during organisational change.