Empowerment

Question 1

Decision-Making strategies using the Vroom-Yetton Model

Answer 1

> Autocratic I -leader decide by himself
Autocratic II -obtain info from subordinates and then make own decision
Consultative I -share prob on individual basis and decision may/may not be consistent with the group
Consultative II -share probs with subordinates as a group and decision may/may not be be acceptable to the group
Group strategy I -leader share probs with group and lets the group reach a solution

Question 2

Empowerment charts

Answer 2

Reduce confusion and provide a systematic plan for providing employees with more autonomy as their skills and experience increase

Question 3

Reducing the impact of downsizing

Answer 3

• freeze hiring of new permanent employees
• do not fill vacancies or fill vacancies with temporary employees
• outsourcing

Question 4

Outplacement programs

Answer 4

• emotional counseling
• financial counseling
• career assessment and guidance

Question 5

Work Schedules

Answer 5

> Compressed Workweeks
-fewer days per week but more hours per day
Moonlighting

> Flexible work hours
~Flextime
-employees have flexibility in the hours they work
-originated in Germany as a way to reduce traffic probs
3 Components:
-Bandwidth: total # of potential hrs available for work each day
-Core hours: must work on the busiest hours
-Flexible hours: within the bandwidth and choice of working
-Gliding time: can choose own hrs w/o advance notice

Question 6

2 Categories of Flexible Working schedules

Answer 6

1. Flexitour
   - employee must submit a schedule weekly or monthly basis
2. Modified Flexitour
   - employee must schedule her hours in advance but can change these hours on a daily basis with some advance notice

Question 7

Peak-time pay

Answer 7

Work only part-time but are paid at a higher hourly rate for those hours than employees who work full time

Question 8

Shift work

Answer 8

• Working in the evening (swing) and late-night (graveyard) shifts has many physical, mental, work-related negative effects
• fixed shifts are superior to rotating shifts
• rotating shifts should be clockwise with later starting time for the morning shift
• CHRONOTYPES: individual differences such as “night people” or “prefer the morning”