The team leader on the trim-line assembly line, Thomas, will become a father in the next week or two and according to company policy he is entitled to five working days paternity leave. The Manager has called Thomas to his office to enquire how he plans to deal with ensuring that the operations are not disrupted during his absence and also how he plans to reach the production targets and standards.

Thomas informs the Manager that he already has a contingency plan in place and he tells the Manager the following:

Peter is a very capable assembly line worker on the trim-line. He has more than seven years' experience in the dashboard and wiring sub-cell and he also has extensive experience on the trim, engine bay, drivetrain, seats and wheels. Peter is very responsible and has excellent communication skills. His colleagues respect him, and he has shown potential to manage people, would like to give Peter the opportunity to act as team leader during my absence. We need a person that will be able to do this whenever I am on leave and I think he will be the perfect person. I am afraid that if we do not give him an opportunity like this, he might get frustrated and become demotivated. We cannot afford to lose him. Michael has recently joined the company and he needs training to be able to work efficiently but we cannot afford to not have him work on the assembly line to go for training.

The Plant Manager is very impressed with what he has read about Thomas. He wishes him well with the birth of his daughter. After speaking to the Plant Manager, Thomas calls Peter and discusses the plans with him. Peter is very excited and promises not to disappoint Thomas.

Questions

a) If Peter temporarily takes over Thomas's job in his absence, what does this move represent? Briefly explain what this entails.

b) What motivation intensive method can they use to train Michael and make him understand what the job is all about? Provide a motivation for your answer.

c) Do you think this arrangement will have an effect on Peter's motivation? Motivate you answer