Question

Eighth edition Administrative office management An Introduction Zane K. Quible Ph.D.

Mary Brown, the supervisor of the word processing center in Delta Corporation in San Antonio, recently retired because of her age. During the years she had been supervisor, various managers felt that Brown should be dismissed because of her laxness in supervising the ten employees in the center. Because she reaching retirement age, however she was not dismissed. The employees were often late to work, took longer breaks that was permissible, took advantage of the corporation in terms of sick days, and so forth. Mary was repeatedly asked to be stricter in her supervisory efforts, but no noticeable changes were ever made. When the qualifications for the replacement for Mary brown were developed, the decision was made that the new supervisor should be more authoritarian and should require the employees in the word processing center to conform with existing company policy. The replacement, Annabell Jackson, was hired primarily because of her authoritarian characteristics. All of her former employers who were contacted regarding Jackson’s performance mentioned her authoritarian personality. Because of the laxness of brown and the hope that Jackson could improve the situation, she was offered the job. As the administrative office manager, you are aware that the first day Jackson is on the job will probably determine whether or not the employees in the word processing center will cooperate with her. Thus, you feel a necessity to discuss several things with her before her first day on the job.

What suggestions do you have to assure Jackson’s success as a supervisor in the word processing center?

Answer 1

We are dealing with a case of change of supervisor who is extremely different in their approach to managing their teams or subordinates. Brown who was very lenient in her approach to manage her team saw the team members taking advantage of her hence the need for the change of personal. Since the employees have become used to the managing style of Brown they will find it very difficult to suit themselves under the management of Jackson who happens to be authoritarian. Directly asking Jackson to manage the team according to her style has a risk of employee retention thus damaging the workflow of the word processing department.

I would suggest Jackson to first connect empathetically with the team and get to know the team in her initial days. When the team members feel comfortable with Jackson around, she can then start routing the work standards which the team has to follow. Since the team has to work with the rules and regulations which are well within the company policy, Jackson wouldn’t find any complaints from the employees. Also, the employees by now are comfortable working with Jackson and they wouldn’t feel stressed due to the sudden change of events.

Providing time for employees to change their habits to suit themselves for the new management style of Jackson would work wonders with the same employees without any risk of employee retention. Hence, these are some of the things I would suggest Jackson take care of after she replaces Brown as the supervisor.