You have just been hired as the Director of Housekeeping by a major hotel chain at one of its premier 1,000-room big city properties. You have been working your way up the career ladder in this organization for fifteen years by working for the same chain and taking promotions or transfers to larger properties when openings occur. You are new to this property and new to this city. Your experience as a Director of Housekeeping is at a smaller property.

You will have five supervisors reporting to you: three are day supervisors, one is a night supervisor, and one supervises the laundry. The hotel has been slow in making the transition to a permanent Director of Housekeeping, since the former Director died unexpectedly in an automobile accident three months ago. During the last three months Yolanda Gomez, the senior day supervisor, has been the Interim Director of Housekeeping. Yolanda was surprised the hotel went outside the property for a new Director rather than give her the permanent appointment. She feels you are taking her job.

Yolanda clearly does not have the education, skill, or preparation to do the demanding tasks of a Director. Although she is well liked by the Housekeeping staff, she lacks the planning and budgeting skills of a director.

Bill is the most experienced and talented lead person of the Housekeeping staff. He temporarily filled Yolandas supervisory position while the hotel looked for a permanent Director. Bill is young and ambitious and has two years to finish his college degree in Hospitality Management. While he benefits from the hotels generous tuition reimbursement program, he doesnt not want to give up the status and experience he gained from the temporary supervisory position. On your first day of work, he threatens to quit if he has to go back to a lead role.

Because of the circumstances of the prior Directors death and the uncertainty that developed during the length of time taken to fill that position, morale has been low. Management has given you three weeks to submit next years staffing plan and budget.

Q Provide two possible solutions to the problem or opportunity, and describes the pros and cons of each alternative.