Student Name:
Bruce Thompson
Case Study Number from Textbook:
52
Student overview of case study:
This case describes Houghton Refrigeration Company.
The company employs mostly assembly-line workers and executives have very little
management experience. During the summer months, the workload increases and college
students are employed to augment the workforce.
When a new employee is hired, very
little training occurs, however, the older workers are always around to assist. Although
most older workers are helpful, Joe Gleason, the first line supervisor in the press room,
belittles the college students when they make mistakes. Due to a rash of minor injuries,
the company decided to hold a series of short training programs to ensure a safe working
environment.
One major issue was finding a person to conduct the training. Bill Young,
the first-line supervisor of the lid-line, was chosen to conduct the training. Reluctantly, he
agreed to conduct the training but may have been ineffective with his delivery method.
