Two years ago, your organization experienced a sudden increase in its volume of work. At about the same time, it was threatened with an equal employment opportunity suit that resulted in an affirmative action plan. Under this plan, the organization has recruited and hired additional women and minority members.
Presently, the top level of management in your organization is anticipating a decrease in volume of work. You have been asked to rank the clerical employees of your section in the event that a layoff is necessary.
Following are biographical data for the seven clerical people in your section. Rank the seven people according to the order in which they should be laid off; that is, the person ranked first is to be laid off first, and so forth.
Burt Greene: White male, age 45. Married, four children, five years with the organization. Reputed to be an alcoholic; poor work record.
Nan Nushka: White female, age 26. Married, no children; husband has a steady job; six months with the organization. Hired after the affirmative action plan went into effect; average work record to date. Saving to buy a home.
Johnny Jones: Black male, age 20. Unmarried; one year with organization. High performance ratings. Reputed to be shy— a “loner”; wants to start his own business some day.
Joe Jefferson: White male, age 24. Married, no children, but wife is pregnant, three years with organization. Going to college at night; erratic performance attributed to work/ study conflicts. Livonia Long: Black female, age 49. Widow, three grown children; two years with the organization. Steady worker whose performance is average.
Ward Watt: White male, age 30. Recently divorced, one child; three years with the organization. Good worker.
Rosa Sanchez: Hispanic female, age 45. Six children, husband disabled one year ago; trying to help support her family; three months with the organization. No performance appraisal data available.
Questions
1. What criteria did you use to rank the employees?
2. What implications does your ranking have in the area of affirmative action?