Jaime and Catherine looked at each other. Each was thinking, \"How do we do this
ID: 442231 • Letter: J
Question
Jaime and Catherine looked at each other. Each was thinking, "How do we do this?" Neither offered any immediate suggestions. Both were mid-level executives with a multinational corporation that manufactured clothing, handbags, and accessories in developing countries, including Guatemala and Honduras. The company is a member of the Fair Labor Association and takes pride in its commitment to a safe, healthy, and equitable work environment for all employees. Jaime, a native of Mexico, had professional experience in Peru, Chile, and Mexico. Catherine, a native of the United States, spoke fluent Spanish and was being groomed to take international assignments. Two weeks ago, the Vice President of Latin American Operations called Jaime and Catherine, asking them to take on an internal consulting project. The vice president was concerned about rumors surrounding the company's largest manufacturing site in Honduras. This site employs more than 1,000 people, the majority of whom work in low-skilled manufacturing roles. Although no employee has come forward, or used the firm's ethics hotline, the site's regional manager (RM) has been concerned about management practices and workplace conditions. Each time the RM visited the site, he sensed that he was not experiencing the daily "reality" of the manufacturing site. So far, he has had little proof but has decided to share his concerns with other executives. Specifically, he has been worried about (1) possible intimidation of union members and leaders, (2) discriminatory management tactics, and (3) forced overtime that is not properly compensated.
Two weeks later, Jaime and Catherine arrive at the site, tasked with determining whether management practices and workplace conditions are compatible with corporate standards and FLA principles. First, they need to develop a plan for gathering information from employees, including those who are either scared of retaliation or generally mistrusting of corporate management.
Provide some suggestions for how Jaime and Catherine can investigate the situation. How would you gather information and discover signs that would indicate standards and principles were not being met?
Explanation / Answer
To investigate the situation, Catherine and Jemie should spent a considerable amount of time at the time, probably at a period of 15days. It is quite evident from the case that with short term investigation, the site leaders are able to hide something or the other with temporary arrangements.But staying long at the site they will able to crack something or the other.
They should divide and take different side strategically to bring out the truth from both side, management as well as labors. in one meeting they should act in a way to create pseudo difference among themselves- one to act for the management and the other should act for the labor. this is just to gain confidence of each of the parties. then they should enquire in detail about the processes and rules frm each and every concerned person to get a real feel of the situations that are going in the site.
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