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Summary
The author provides a video summary of the chapter.
Revamping the System
It is your first six months at your new job as an HR assistant at Groceries for You, a home delivery grocery service. When you ask the HR director, Chang, about performance evaluations, he just rolls his eyes and tells you to schedule a meeting in his Outlook calendar to discuss them. In the meantime, you gather some data that might be helpful in your discussion with Chang.
Number of managers | 4 |
Number of employees | 82 |
Average span of control | Delivery—38 |
Warehouse—24 | |
Marketing/technology—16 | |
Job types | 11—customer service |
1—delivery manager | |
1—warehouse manager | |
1—marketing and technology manager | |
38—delivery drivers | |
24—warehouse workers | |
1—tech support | |
5—marketing and website design |
When you meet, Chang is very forward with you about the current process. “Right now, managers groan when they are told they need to complete evaluations. The evaluations are general—we use the same form for all jobs in the organization. It appears that promotion decisions are not based on the evaluations but instead tend to be based on subjective criteria, such as how well the manager likes the individual. We really need to get a handle on this system, but I haven’t had the time to do it. I am hoping you can make some recommendations for our system and present them to me and then to the managers during next month’s meeting. Can you do this?”
Job Class Specification for:
ACCOUNTANT, City of Seattle
Class Specification Schematic Number: 2000504
Class Summary:
Performs a variety of professional accounting functions and tasks for a city department or utility. Audits, monitors, researches, and recommends revisions to accounting procedures and operations. Performs and coordinates the maintenance and production of accounting reports and records and ensures compliance with established accounting procedures and practices.
Distinguishing Characteristics of the Class:
The accountant class is capable of performing a range of professional accounting functions and tasks within the established guidelines of the department/city and according to generally accepted accounting practices, procedures, and methods. This class is supervised by a higher level accountant or manager and supervises accounting support personnel as required.
Assignments are performed under moderate supervision within established guidelines, generally accepted accounting principles, standards, and methods. Receives direction on special projects or where guidelines and rules are unclear. Knowledge of accounting practices, methods, laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations is required to determine the most appropriate accounting methods and procedures to apply and to ensure appropriate compliance.
Personal contacts are with department employees, other departments, agencies, or the public to provide information, coordinate work activities, and resolve problems.
Examples of Work:
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
Work is performed in an office environment.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).