Job Case Analysis

Text Deals

Job Analysis

As the HR Manager, it has come to my attention by the Packagers union that an analysis of the job description be conducted. In order start this process I will first review the different methods of job analysis in order to formulate a plan to analyze the job description for Packaging. The steps to completing this job are as follows:

* Observation through a Works Method Analysis (WMA Model)

* Questionnaire

* Interview of a select group from the packaging department

Observation (WMA Model)

The Works Method Analysis is widely used in manual and repetitive jobs, such as the packaging job at Text Deals. (humanresources.hrvinet.com) This analysis will help determine what the packaging job entails specific to the job description. I will observe the tasks from start to finish and take detailed notes on each part of the process to gain an understanding of what is taking place and how long it takes to be completed.

Observing through this method can yield accurate results and lead to making more efficient processes that both create a better working environment for the workers in packaging, and save Text Deals money. Accurate results would come from the detailed notes taken by the appointed observer(s). While observation used in the WMA Model is that of an accurate step to take, there are significant problems with taking this particular course of action.

Due to our growth and high demand for books, our packaging departments across the United States pack and ship books 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are several different schedules per location. Furthermore, there is the potential for the observers to interfere with the workers' processes, thus not getting an accurate account for what the packaging department does and slowing shipment of books. (Henderson, 2006)

Observation by way of the WMA Model is a positive direction to proceed with in the union's request to analyze the packager's job. The company has grown significantly since its opening three years ago. There are new locations and the demand is much higher causing a lot of the job processes, namely the packager's job, to need accurate review. Due to the work shifts, the company will need to employ several observers per location to detail as accurate as possible the tasks and processes.

Questionnaire

When analyzing the Packager job at Text Deals, I believe it is always most important to go to the source; the employee. Employees in the packaging department are subject matter experts on the processes for their job. They understand the demand on their job each day, as well as what can be done to create a more efficient packaging system and improve the morale of the working group within that department. In order to capture the data from the employee, a questionnaire is a cost effective way in doing so.

The questionnaire being employed will be the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ). The PAQ was created in 1972 and is used to measure job characteristics and relate them to human characteristics. According to HR Guide at www.job-analysis.net,