Case Studies

There are two parts to this assignment. You should include both in a single document to upload in Blackboard.         For Part I of this assignment, review Business and Benefits at Aflac and L. L. Bean. (attached)        Evaluate this case, and respond to each of the following prompts using both theory and practical managerial thinking as well as supporting research.         Compare the two organizations’ compensation plans. How are they similar, and how are they different?  Do these two organizations offer legally required benefits? If so, explain these benefits.  Identify and explain which elements of a total compensation system these two organizations are using.  What are the specific challenges in designing their compensation plans that Aflac and L. L. Bean are facing? Are they the same, or does each company have unique problems with their compensation plans?  Explain how each company uses compensation and benefits to attract and retain employees.       Your response for this part of the assignment should be at least two pages in length. You must use at least three credible sources (other than the case study source) to support your analysis.         You can access a Sample Case Study from the CSU Writing Center to assist you when constructing your case studies. Do not use the question-and-answer format; rather, use the essay format demonstrated in the sample case study. Use section headings to delineate topic transitions. Cite to support conjecture.         Part 2: For this part of the assignment, review the scenario below, and respond to each of these employee communication scenarios. Ensure to include the stated questions in your response.         Scenario:       You are the manager of the human resources (HR) department. The vice president of finance is talking about an operations issue and then makes a small remark to you about his staff being late or absent all the time. His administrative assistant, Bryan, is often late getting to work. This is not the first time the vice president has made this comment. Just like last time, he is not asking for your help or for you to do anything; he is just complaining that he cannot get “good help” anymore.          You know through other finance employees that the vice president tolerating this behavior has caused resentment and dysfunction in the department, and other employees now feel entitled to come in late, leave early, or call out since there are no consequences. You learn that the vice president has tolerated it for the past year and has not addressed it at all, and now it is starting to reflect poorly on him.          This is causing a productivity drain, and the chief executive officer (CEO) is asking you why finance seems to be lagging. The overall company workload has increased, and he needs everyone on board, or he will have to make some changes at the executive level. Since Bryan is not your direct report, you must address the issue with the vice president of finance. You are concerned about having this difficult conversation since the vice president of finance is technically higher on the corporate hierarchy than you; based upon your past interactions, you fear that he will not respond positively to your interference in his department.         What steps do you take to address the problem? Be as specific and detailed as possible as you address each of the following prompts. Ensure you describe how and to whom you need to communicate your information.         Provide an action plan for any communication and discipline. What policies do you reference?  What are some best practices in employee communications that you can use in this scenario?  What tools can you use to communicate your information to the employees and the organization as a whole?  Explain how you and the vice president can use appropriate discipline to effectively manage the employee’s behavior.  Explain the steps that you would take in both progressive and punitive discipline programs.       This part of your assignment must be at least three pages in length. Research is required; therefore, you must include at least three references (one of which can be your textbook), and at least one of the references must come from the CSU Online Library.         Do not use the question-and-answer format; rather, respond in essay format. Use section headings to delineate topic transitions.

Case Studies

Part I: For your first case study, review Creating Synergy in a Four-Generation Workplace (attached).

 

Evaluate this case, and respond to each of the following prompts. Use both theory and practical managerial thinking as well as supporting research. ·

 

  • Do you believe the description given for the generation your group represents is accurate? Please state the evidence that supports your answer. 
  • Do you believe the descriptions given of the remaining three generations are accurate? Please state the evidence that supports your answer.
  • Do all people see life from the perspective of the generation they were born into, or are there other factors that shape life perspectives?
  • Are personal values, perspectives, and behaviors influenced more by generational cohort (peers) or by parents, extended family members, and teachers who hail from different generations?
  • Discuss tactics that can be used to address performance issues in different age groups.
  • What challenges do employees face regarding diversity and inclusion?
  • How do world events, technology, and trends shape generational perspectives?
  • Is the generation gap something that has always influenced work relationships, or is this the first time in history that four generations are present in the workplace? Does this amplify the effect of generational differences at work?

 

Part 1 of this assignment should be at least two pages in length. You must use at least two credible sources (other than the case study source) to support your analysis.

 

Part II: For your second case study, review Southwood: A Case Study in Recruitment and Selection (attached).

 

Evaluate this case by responding to each of the following prompts. Use both theory and practical managerial thinking as well as supporting research.

 

  • Summarize the source and type of employee turnover.
  • Discuss the reasons for vacancies at Southwood School.
  • Explain the benefits and challenges of employee separations.
  • Outline a recruitment and retention strategy for Southwood School focusing on the process, recruitment and recruitment selection tools, employee separations, performance appraisal, and training and development.
  • Classify the recruitment and retention strategy using Miles and Snow’s two major types of business strategies. Support your classification with citations and rationale.

 

Part 2 of this assignment should be at least two pages in length. You must use at least three credible sources (other than the case study source) to support your analysis.

 

Case Studies

Case studies are an essential learning strategy in business classes; they provide an opportunity for you to critically analyze events that have taken place in real-life businesses. This develops your critical thinking and research skills as you research the competition and industry in which your business resides with an end goal of formulating a recommendation for the challenges faced by the company. The case studies in this course are aligned with The Society for Human Resource    Management Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK). They address the key functional areas of human resources (HR) and human capital management.         Part I: For your first case study, review PAC Resources, Inc.: A Case Study in HR Practices. To access this document, navigate to the Terms of Use for Students webpage, and click on the button at the bottom of the page to agree to the terms    and conditions. Once you are on the Student Workbooks webpage, scroll down to the Strategy section, and select the link for “PAC Resources, Inc.: A Case Study in HR Practices (attached).” To access the case study, select the “student workbook” link.    Evaluate this case, and respond to each of the following prompts using both theory and practical managerial thinking as well as supporting research.    Identify the human capital problems that PAC Resources is facing specific to its functional area, as classified by the SHRM BoCK.    Generate solutions to the problems you identified, and apply HR best practices.    Develop a plan for implementation that increases overall organizational effectiveness.    Anticipate and address legal and ethical problems that may occur with implementation.    Part 1 of this assignment should be at least two pages in length. You must use at least two credible sources (other than the case study source) to support your analysis.         

Part 2: For your second case study, you will review Religious Discrimination and Racial Harassment: What Ever Happened to MarShawn DeMur? To access this document, navigate to the Terms of Use for Students webpage, and click on the    button at the bottom of the page to agree to the terms and conditions. Once you are on the Student Workbooks webpage, scroll down to the Employment Law section, and select the link for “Religious Discrimination and Racial Harassment: What    Ever Happened to MarShawn DeMur?” (attached) To access the case study, select the “student workbook” link.    Evaluate this case by responding to each of the following prompts. Use both theory and practical managerial thinking as well as supporting research.    Describe specific discriminatory situations Maalick encountered in the workplace.    Explain the broader ethical and legal implications of the situation for Treton.    Locate three peer-reviewed empirical research studies (quantitative) published within the past 5 years focused on the    two discriminatory situations identified in the previous prompt. Identify the author(s), and paraphrase the purpose of the    study, research design and methodology, theoretical framework, research findings, and future research    recommendations. Synthesize the research findings of the implications on the organization, teams, or individual    employees.    Create a plan of action to reduce or prevent discrimination in the workplace.    Develop a Nondiscrimination/Equal Employment Opportunity Policy for Treton.    Part 2 of this assignment should be at least three pages in length. You must use at least three credible sources (other than the case study source) to support your analysis.    You can access a Sample Case Study from the CSU Writing Center to assist you when constructing your case studies. Do not use the question-and-answer format; rather, use the essay format demonstrated in the sample case study. Use section headings to delineate topic transitions. Cite to support conjecture.    The title and reference pages do not count toward the listed page requirements. Adhere to APA Style when constructing this entire assignment, including in-text citations and references for all sources that are used. Please note that no abstract is    needed.

Case studies

Case Study 1

Calculations: Calculate the client’s target heart rate using the Karvonen formula.

Training Program: Design a 12-week periodized training program for the client described in the Client Profile. Be very specific as you design the training program. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your full comprehension of the information and concepts discussed throughout the course. List the types of exercise, duration, sets, reps, rest intervals, and so on.

Include the following in your case study submission:

  • A description of your professional responsibilities as discussed in the stages of the drawing-in process (Unit 12)
  • Discussion of any fitness tests, methods of evaluation, and data collection used to assess and evaluate the clientÕs needs
  • Specific conditions that you have identified in the client profile
  • A detailed 12-week comprehensive and periodized training program including specific exercises, sets, repetitions, suggested rest times, etc. Use an integrated approach in your program recommendations.
  • Specific and detailed nutritional strategies and an explanation as to how the strategies will assist the client in meeting energy needs
  • Explanation for your chosen assessment, programming, and nutritional recommendations. (Be sure to reference course concepts when discussing rationale for your recommendations.

Keep in mind that a client should be able to take your program and put it into practice without having to contact you to clarify what you intended by your recommendations or to explain parts of your program.

Don’t forget your explanation for WHY you listed and recommended what you did. Reference the concepts and theories covered in the course. Be sure to address why the program and exercises recommended are appropriate for the specific client given the clientÕs history, current abilities, and intended goal(s). For example: if you are developing a program for a beginner client without any resistance training experience, explain how your program addresses the lack of experience, initial need for foundational development, process by which you would safely progress the client, etc. Tying your program to course concepts is a critical component of your case study.

Review the Client Profile below.

Client Profile: Jamie Summers

Age: 53

Gender: Female

Resting Heart Rate: 90 bpm

Height: 5’5″

Weight: 165 lb

Body Fat Percentage: 35%

Background and Goals: Jamie is a working mother of three teenagers. She has not been consistently active for many years. She was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, which is likely caused by her high-stress corporate job and physical inactivity. She also has an affinity for processed and sugary foods. Jamie was recently told by her doctor that she needs to start exercising, eating better, and just simply taking better care of herself or else she is on her way to additional health problems. Jamie will be attending her oldest daughterÕs high school graduation in three months and wants to use the event as a goal date in which to make significant progress in her health.

Case Study 2

Calculations: Calculate the client’s target heart rate using the Karvonen formula.

Training Program: Design a 12-week periodized training program for the client described in the Client Profile. Be very specific as you design the training program. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your full comprehension of the information and concepts discussed throughout the course. List the types of exercise, duration, sets, reps, rest intervals, and so on.

Include the following in your case study submission:

  • A description of your professional responsibilities as discussed in the stages of the drawing-in process (Unit 12)
  • Discussion of any fitness tests, methods of evaluation, and data collection used to assess and evaluate the clientÕs needs
  • Specific conditions that you have identified in the client profile
  • A detailed 12-week comprehensive and periodized training program including specific exercises, sets, repetitions, suggested rest times, etc. Use an integrated approach in your program recommendations.
  • Specific and detailed nutritional strategies and an explanation as to how the strategies will assist the client in meeting energy needs
  • Explanation for your chosen assessment, programming, and nutritional recommendations. (Be sure to reference course concepts when discussing rationale for your recommendations.

Keep in mind that a client should be able to take your program and put it into practice without having to contact you to clarify what you intended by your recommendations or to explain parts of your program.

Don’t forget your explanation for WHY you listed and recommended what you did. Reference the concepts and theories covered in the course. Be sure to address why the program and exercises recommended are appropriate for the specific client given the clientÕs history, current abilities, and intended goal(s). For example: if you are developing a program for a beginner client without any resistance training experience, explain how your program addresses the lack of experience, initial need for foundational development, process by which you would safely progress the client, etc. Tying your program to course concepts is a critical component of your case study.

Review the Client Profile below.

Client Profile: Diana Prince

Age: 37

Gender: Female

Resting Heart Rate: 75 bpm

Height: 5’5″

Weight: 165 lb

Body Fat Percentage: 31%

Background and Goals: Diana is a 37-year-old mother of two children. She used to exercise fairly consistently (mostly jogging and light aerobic activities) before having kids. Ever since she had her first child 9 years ago, she has not been very active. Diana has her 20-year high school reunion coming up in 3 months (12 weeks). She would like to look and feel her best and is eager and willing to spend the next 12 weeks doing what she can to change her body.