Page 327 - Business Principles and Management

Unit 4

FIGURE 12-4 Managers must be objective, fair, and consistent when
enforcing established work rules.

Management Guidelines for Enforcing Work Rules

1. Explain work rules and provide written copies of the rules to all
employees.
2. Acquaint employees with penalties for work rule violations and make
sure they understand the penalties as well as when and how they
will be applied.
3. Investigate any violation thoroughly before taking action.
4. Consider any special circumstances before determining the violation
and the penalty.
5. Act as soon as possible after investigating a violation and deciding
on the action to be taken.
6. Inform the employee who violated a work rule of the rule that was
violated, the penalty that will be applied, and the reason for the
penalty.
7. Treat similar violations consistently.
8. Punish in private and praise in public.
9. Encourage employees to follow work rules by rewarding those who
&
facts consistently follow the rules.

figures

Recent studies have shown Reacting immediately, objectively, and firmly to rules violations is some-
that rates of illicit drug and times referred to as the “hot stove principle.” We may remember as small
heavy alcohol use were higher children that if we touched a hot stove we got immediate feedback in the
among workers age 18–25 form of a burn and probably an immediate reprimand from an adult. Because
than among older workers, of that feedback, we learned not to touch the hot stove again. In the same
and higher among males way, if an employee gets an immediate reprimand from a manager for a vio-
than females. Rates were also lation of the rules, the employee will pay more careful attention to the rules
higher among white non- in the future.
Hispanics than among black Effective leaders handle many types of work-related problems confidently.
non-Hispanics or Hispanics. Successful leaders understand human behavior and apply good management
In addition, rates were higher and human relations principles in working with people. They also continue to
among those with less than study and learn to improve their management skills. When conflicts and prob-
a high school education than lems occur, leaders work to solve them before they create larger problems. They
among those with a high school understand that they must help employees satisfy their own needs while also
diploma or more education. accomplishing the goals of the business.

CHECKPOINT

Why should managers apply the “hot stove principle” when
responding to difficult employee situations?

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