HUMAN RELATIONS AND MANAGEMENT

I used this activity as part of the Human Relations unit for the Marketing class, but it could be used for a variety of other units to help the students understand & appreciate employee reactions to management decisions / actions. I arranged for the following memo (printed on official school letterhead) to be delivered (folded & marked "URGENT") to me five minutes into the class period. I made sure that I was standing at the back of class when it was delivered (to maximize student interest & attention), then read it to the class (several students strained unsuccessfully to read the memo on their own). Without pausing, I began to direct the students to their new seats per the memo. The activity generated tremendous response & discussion as I pointed out the variety of reactions, how they were the same reactions employees have to company reorganizations, & how important it is for management to properly explain management decisions & anticipate & deal with employee reactions to those decisions.
 
Student reactions:

• Meekly followed my instructions without comment
• Moved but complained
• Refused to move
• Blamed certain school administrators
• Pointed out that the reason for the change made no sense
• Pointed out better "reorganization" options
• Argued that they were upset about the "reorganization" because they weren't asked for their input ahead of time -- "We're in the class so we know what would work best!"
• Worried that their names weren't on the list of students

 
 
 

TO:	Steve Libassi
FROM:	CSHS Administration
SUBJECT:	Reorganization
DATE:	October 30, 2002

               
Due to state budgetary limitations, the 5th period Marketing class must be reorganized immediately as follows:
 
 

		Front of class
Peter	Carrie	Landon	Chris	Seth
Samantha	Alana	Beau	Gerald	Ashlee
Andrea	Wayne	Desmond	Erica	Kelly
		Devin

 
There will be no exceptions to this reorganization.
 
Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Steve Libassi
Cave Spring High School
Salem, Virginia