Fighting on the Job - Assignment #1

You have worked as Big Boss at this manufacturing and distribution facility for only 3 months; however, you very are experienced in all matters of Management.

Situation: You arrive at work at 7:00 AM. There is a note taped to your door from your night shift manager, Bubba.

"Dear Big Boss: At approximately 9:35 PM, I received a call from Luther (warehouse 2^nd shift supervisor). He told me that Billy and Donnie (both hourly workers) had been in a fight. Luther did not know what to do. I went to the warehouse, found Billy and Donnie and told them to clock-out, go home and wait for HR to call them. A security guard escorted Billy and Donnie to their vehicles. I didn't know what more I should do."

"I hate to dump this on you, but you get paid the big bucks to resolve these issues. Right? Can you take care of what needs to be done? It's the end of the quarter and I really need Billy and Donnie for the heavy shipping. I'll be in around 3:30 PM tomorrow. See you then."

Bubba

Your assignment:

1.Create a written plan of action for fact-finding, interviews, policy review, union involvement, past practices, and whatever else you think of.

List specific steps to be taken, in order.

2.Make a decision on the status of future employment for both Billy and Donnie, based upon your findings. Determine what consequences/punishment, if any, will be enacted. To make your decisions, you will need to make assumptions about your findings (role play).

Special Note: No security cameras were in use.

Some things you need to know:

1. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union represents all of our hourly workers. Our plant is located within a Right to Work state. All workers are represented by the union. All terminations, for any reason, are automatically grieved (disputed), per union contract language.

2. Billy is a 35 year-old, black male, employed for 7 years, having a clean work history. He is known to managers and co-workers as a "good hand". Billy is not a union member.

3. Donny is a 25 year-old, white male, employed with us for 3 years. He has a history of rule/policy violations and a reputation for being hard to get along with. One year ago our security guard caught Donny with a female non-employee, in a vehicle, in the employee parking lot, drinking beer, while still on the clock. Although this severe rule infraction was just cause for Donny's termination, a 3-day suspension was the penalty given by the previous administration. Donny has a very poor attendance record; his HR file is approximately 1" thick. Donnie is a member in good standing of the UFCW union.

4. Our employee handbook includes a policy covering fighting. The written consequences for fighting on company property are immediate termination. Both Billy and Donny have read the employee handbook and signed a document so stating. To date, no worker at this facility has been terminated for fighting, although documented fights have taken place before you, Big Boss, arrived.

5. Create a typed paper for your investigative findings and decisions made regarding Donnie and Billie.

This is a 50 point assignment. Be detailed and thorough.

Good Luck!