Thank you for agreeing to participate in this simulation exercise.
Watch the instruction video on the left before starting.
Your Role and Current Situation:
Last Thursday, August 8, Walter Weston, the former head of maintenance at MANUF, quit without notice to join a company from another sector. You were offered the job on the same day and accepted the challenge. In the past few days, you have been finalizing tasks from your previous job and preparing for your new role. On Friday, August 9, Michael Smith, the plant manager at MANUF, informed everyone in the company of your arrival.
Today is Sunday, August 11. You will be flying to Vancouver for a few days to meet with your new boss, Michael Smith, and some contacts to discuss the goals and issues of your new job.
It's 6:00 in the morning, and you're at the airport 90 minutes before your flight leaves. You would like to take this time to look at the emails that Julie, your new assistant, forwarded to you, that your predecessor had not dealt with. Since you only have your cell phone and laptop with you, it won't be possible to print any documents.
Your time in Vancouver is very tight. You have several meetings and meals with your bosses and some contacts over the next few days. This time at the airport may be the only opportunity you will have to get an idea of what is happening in your department and to respond to requests until you return to work on Wednesday, August 14.
1
Julie Barrell
Welcome!
Friday, August 9
From :Julie Barrell
To :
Date :Friday, August 9
Subject :Welcome!
Hello,
First, I would like to welcome you to MANUF. I hope you’ll like working in the maintenance department. I’ll be your new assistant. You have your work cut out for you, as you will see from all the emails in your inbox! This is my first full-time job and I look forward to meeting you. Everyone's been so nice to me since I got here three months ago.
In your inbox, you will find emails that have come in since your appointment, as well as messages sent to your predecessor, Walter Weston, that were not handled and which I forwarded to you directly.
Let me know if you need anything. Here's my cell phone in case you need it.
514-753-9521
I'll see you Wednesday when you get back from your trip to Vancouver.
Julie Barrell
Administrative Assistant
2
John Douglas
Walter Weston
Tiles
Monday, July 28
From :John Douglas
To :Walter Weston
Date :Monday, July 28
Subject :Tiles
Walter,
For two days now, one of your employees has been installing tiles in my office, and he still hasn't completed his job. I could have done the same job in half a day.
If that's the way your men work, it's no wonder you're continually asking for help.
Please take care of this situation immediately; I’m tired of seeing him and his tiles.
John Douglas
Vice-President, Operations
3
Kevin Grant
Walter Weston
! Re: Form #324-B
Wednesday, August 7
From :Kevin Grant
To :Walter Weston
Date :Wednesday, August 7
Subject :! Re: Form #324-B
Walter,
He raises a point, but there are only two days left to complete the job, what should I do?
Kevin
Kevin Grant
Maintenance and Special Projects Supervisor
----- Original Message -----
From: L.L. Watson
Date: Wednesday, August 7
To: Kevin Grant
Subject: Form #324-B
Kevin,
This is to inform you that if you persist in using sheet-iron workers for the work involving glove compartments, I will be obliged to present a grievance.
L.L. Watson
Union Representative
4
Kevin Grant
Walter Weston
! Urgent I’ve been injured
Thursday, August 8
From :Kevin Grant
To :Walter Weston
Date :Thursday, August 8
Subject :! Urgent I’ve been injured
Walter,
I fell off the stepladder while showing one of my employees how to repair the metallic track, and since then I have had back pains. My doctor advised me to start physiotherapy. I obtained permission from the personnel department for a leave of absence and I will be gone for a period of three months, starting Monday, August 12th. I mentioned this to Mr. Smith when I met him in the hallway.
This morning, I spoke to Bernard Brystol about replacing me, since I believe he is qualified to do my job.
Consequently, you should give him a temporary promotion.
Kevin
Kevin Grant
Maintenance and Special Projects Supervisor
5
Michael Smith
Walter Weston
Request Declined
Thursday, August 1
From :Michael Smith
To :Walter Weston
Date :Thursday, August 1
Subject :Request Declined
Walter,
Unfortunately, your request for an increase in the number of specialized workers has been refused.
Upper management is of the opinion that you should be obtaining higher productivity from your current employees. This opinion is substantiated, for example, by the incident concerning the tile installation in Mr. Douglas' office.
MS
Michael Smith
Plant Manager
6
Julie Barrell
Urgent! Part needed for production Monday morning
Friday, August 9
From :Julie Barrell
To :
Date :Friday, August 9
Subject :Urgent! Part needed for production Monday morning
Hello boss, I know it’s only your first day but…
Bob Carson, Head of Production, just called me. He wants an answer asap.
He says that Jacqueline Denis is still waiting for part #1321 to start up machine 3 on Monday morning.
What should I say to him?
Julie Barrell
Administrative Assistant
7
Anna Weir
Walter Weston
Potential Promotion
Wednesday, August 7
From :Anna Weir
To :Walter Weston
Date :Wednesday, August 7
Subject :Potential Promotion
Hello Walter,
There will be an opening for a Department Head soon. I have recommended one of your supervisors, Kevin Grant, for the position.
Such a promotion would mean a significant step up for him. What do you think?
Anna
Anna Weir
Head of Personnel
8
Julie Barrell
Vacation Approval
Friday, August 9
From :Julie Barrell
To :
Date :Friday, August 9
Subject :Vacation Approval
Hello,
I would like your approval to take my annual vacation from August 15th to August 30th.
Please confirm as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance,
Julie Barrell
Administrative Assistant
9
Anna Weir
Walter Weston
Employee Performance Evaluations
Wednesday, August 7
From :Anna Weir
To :Walter Weston
Date :Wednesday, August 7
Subject :Employee Performance Evaluations
Hello Walter,
As requested, you will find attached last month’s absenteeism report for the supervisory staff, as well as the performance evaluations of your department and your 3 supervisors.
I'm waiting for your final approval.
Anna
Anna Weir
Head of Personnel
Attachments:
10
Willie Mitchell
Walter Weston
Problem with one of your employees
Thursday, August 1
From :Willie Mitchell
To :Walter Weston
Date :Thursday, August 1
Subject :Problem with one of your employees
Dear Mr. Weston,
I think you should be aware that one of your employees, Kevin Grant, has a bad reputation in town.
He has too many parties at his home where his guests end up getting drunk, and I feel that it’s a shame as well as distasteful.
I recommend that you address the situation because I am sure that his conduct reflects badly on your company and could damage its reputation.
Willie Mitchell
Mayor of New Town
11
Paul Gooding
Walter Weston
Showers!!!
Wednesday, August 7
From :Paul Gooding
To :Walter Weston
Date :Wednesday, August 7
Subject :Showers!!!
Walter,
I'm tired of getting the equivalent of half a day's work from your employees, when they work in the lab. I know that safety is important, but they spend 3 hours a day taking showers, getting dressed and undressed, and only work a total of 5 hours.
The work is important and must move forward quickly. Your employees may be the cleanest in the company, but they are also the least hard-working.
Paul
Paul Gooding
Head of Laboratory
12
Kevin Grant
Walter Weston
Fwd: Urgent Request
Thursday, August 8
From :Kevin Grant
To :Walter Weston
Date :Thursday, August 8
Subject :Fwd: Urgent Request
Walter,
I can’t do without these employees, because I need them for the glove compartments, but I more or less promised Ed I would help him. What do you think I should do?
Kevin
PS - Obviously, I need to know how to proceed by Monday morning.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ed Maklin
Date: Thursday, August 8
To: Kevin Grant
Subject: Urgent Request
Hey Kevin,
I need two of your men for Monday, August 12th, for urgent work.
They have to be available at 11:00 am.
Ed
Ed Maklin
Equipment Supervisor
13
Michael Smith
Walter Weston
! Plant Safety
Wednesday, August 7
From :Michael Smith
To :Walter Weston
Date :Wednesday, August 7
Subject :! Plant Safety
Good morning Walter,
Mr. Douglas will be holding a meeting to discuss plant safety.
I want to know your ideas on this subject and I need them in writing by August 15th at the latest.
Thank you!
MS
Michael Smith
Plant Manager
This calendar is an optional tool for you to use during the simulation if it’s helpful. You can click on any date in the calendar to add your meetings, appointments or notes.