Question

After you have completed your readings, go back to Exercise 8.8 and read the RadioShack case study (located in footnotes). After reading the RadioShack article, answer the following questions with complete, descriptive responses:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is the rationale for conducting mass layoffs through electronic communication or other, impersonal methods? Do you see any advantages?
2. Do you feel that these impersonal methods are the “right way” to communicate this information?
3. What are some conditions that could justify firing someone via a text message or an e-mail?
4. Does your decision differ for mass layoffs versus firing for cause? What is an appropriate method of communicating the news for different types of employee separation?  

Here is the direct link to the article: https://www.forbes.com/2006/08/31/leadership-radio-shack-management-cx_tw_0831layoffs.html#41e51cbd4e11

Answer each question in a separate, numbered paragraph and submit as a .doc or .docx format document in the assignment dropbox. While this is hopefully a needless reminder, please be aware that your paper will be checked for originality.   

Remember to double-space all assignments.

Answer 1

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is the rationale for conducting mass layoffs through electronic communication or other, impersonal methods? Do you see any advantages?

2. Do you feel that these impersonal methods are the “right way” to communicate this information?

3. What are some conditions that could justify firing someone via a text message or an e-mail?

4. Does your decision differ for mass layoffs versus firing for cause? What is an appropriate method of communicating the news for different types of employee separation?  

Answer 1:

The reason given by Radio Shack for conducting mass layoffs through electronic communication was that email communication is a faster mode of communication and allows more privacy to the receiver, than breaking the news in person. Moreover, the company said that they had already informed their employees almost a month ago in a company-wide meeting that layoffs are going to happen and staff people would be informed electronically.

Advantage or disadvantage:

However, I do not see any advantage in this kind of email communication while laying off an employee, as it hurts the sentiments of a person and that person feels that I was never valued for my services. Layoffs should happen in person and the employee being fired should be informed in person with all the honestly and sensitivity.

But, in case of large layoffs it is not practically easy. Therefore, in this case the seniors of the department should be informed politely and should deliver the news to its subordinates in an appropriate manner in person well in advance.

Answer 2

No, I do not think that these impersonal methods are the right way to communicate this kind of sensitive information. Because, the pain of being fired from the job is not easy and it hurts our sentiments. Using this way of email communication is a harsh way of information for termination from services.

Answer 3

The conditions which justify firing someone via a text message or an email is as follows:

a. The employee who is terminated, was informed in advance by us in a personal one to one meeting.

b. The email communication or a text message communication has been used as it is a faster way of communication and allows more privacy to the receiver than breaking the news in person.

Answer 4

Meaning of Mass layoff: Mass Layoff means reduction in force or down-sizing the company. Layoff is generally the fault of the employer and not the employee.

Meaning of Firing for cause: Firing for cause happens when an employee has misbehaved or breaks some rules and regulations of the company. For example: misbehave with any coworker, badly treating any customer or disrespecting the seniors, etc. This generally happens due to the fault of the employee and can happen immediately.

Communication method for:

a. Mass layoff : Mass layoff should be informed the employees in advance along with the reason for mass layoff to give little time to settle down with the news, so that, it doesn’t come up as a shock for them and then meeting each employee personally to communicate in a proper manner, understanding their sentiments and answering their queries.

b. Firing for Cause: Communication method for firing for cause should be happen personally in closed cabin and not in open staff. Respecting the dignity of the employee. And, politely communicating the reason of termination to the particular employee, answering their questions and giving the date of termination.