Question

It is often said that control is largely an illusion. For example, in traditional classrooms many professors strive for a modicum of control by requiring attendance, but do they really get what they are after, or are many minds actually "outside" the classroom? Drawing from your own observation or experience, discuss an attempt to control that has been little more than an illusion. What could the manager have done in lieu of the control measure that was no more than an illusion?

Answer 1

From my experience, perhaps the prime example of such a case is the requirement of a compulsory number of working hours. Most organisations follow the 9 to 5 format wherein employeees are expected to attend the office for 8 hours everyday, irrespective of their work. Although there maybe times wherein an 8 hour work schedule is essential, there are many times when employees do not have much work on their hands and they are instead simply in the office to complete their attendance. This lowers the overall productivity and work morale as employees are held back at the office for no logical explanation.

A manager serves as a bridge between the administration and the employees and can thus eliminate this control measure by changing the policies of the organisation. That is, an employee should be expected to carry out set tasks and assignments within a fixed duration of time. The employee should be at liberty to choose his/her own pace to complete it quickly and have extra time to himself/herself or complete it comfortably within the time frame.