Learn the best way for an HR director to address employees skipping critical quality control steps due to unattainable production goals in this SHRM-SCP certification exam question.
Table of Contents
Question
Scenario: A manufacturer has secured a contract from a large hospital to build and supply operating room equipment. The hospital specifies the steps in the manufacturing and quality control processes that it expects, and the manufacturing company has contractually committed to meet these specifications. The production line employees discover that they can skip one of the steps in the quality control process when building respirators without any noticeable change in the final product.
The client unknowingly accepts the finished respirators as meeting specifications. During an exit interview, a departing employee reveals to the senior HR director that his entire unit is skipping a critical step in the quality control process for building the respirators. No one in the production’s supervisory line or management is aware this is happening.
The HR director reviews performance expectations for employees on the production line. She thinks that the employees skipped the quality control step because production goals are unattainable.
Which is the best way for the HR director to proceed?
A. Craft a communication for the CEO to send assuring employees that the high production expectations will be re-evaluated.
B. Work with supervisors to determine improvements that will help employees meet production goals.
C. Hold a town hall meeting so employees can voice their concerns about the high production expectations.
D. Caution senior management that high production expectations could lead to burnout, turnover, and potential liability.
Answer
The best way for the HR director to proceed is:
D. Caution senior management that high production expectations could lead to burnout, turnover, and potential liability.
Explanation
The core issue in this scenario is that employees are compromising on quality control processes, likely due to unrealistic production expectations. As an HR leader, the director’s primary responsibility is to bring this serious ethical and legal breach to the attention of senior management.
Crafting a communication for the CEO to send (Option A) or working with supervisors to determine improvements (Option B) does not adequately address the gravity of the situation. A town hall meeting (Option C) could be beneficial but should not be the first step.
The HR director must promptly inform senior management about the critical quality control step being skipped and the potential consequences, including:
- Legal liability: The company has contractually committed to meeting the hospital’s specifications. Failing to do so could result in breach of contract and legal action.
- Reputational damage: If the hospital discovers the issue, it could lead to a loss of trust and future business.
- Employee well-being: Unattainable production goals can lead to burnout, stress, and increased turnover.
By cautioning senior management (Option D), the HR director ensures that the company’s leadership is aware of the situation and can take appropriate action to rectify the issue, review production expectations, and prevent future occurrences. This approach prioritizes the company’s ethical obligations, legal compliance, and employee well-being.
SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the SHRM-SCP exam and earn SHRM-SCP certification.