Job Cuts Case Study

Directions
Read the passage below and answer the corresponding questions.

Do We Have to Cut Jobs to Reduce Costs?
Some companies are trying unusual tactics to downsize their workforce without the drastic job cuts that result in survivor syndrome for the remaining employees. Vermonts Rhino Foods, maker of the cookie dough for Ben and Jerrys ice cream, sent 15 factory workers to a nearby lip balm factory to help with the holiday rush. The employees were paid by Rhino, which then billed the factory for the hours worked. Nucor Steel has cut time in the factory for its hourly employees. On the days they are not in the factory, employees are paid their base salary to perform maintenance work or to take classes. Luxury Retreats, a villa rental agency, decided to help train existing staff to learn more skills by moving employees from product development to sales areas rather than hiring new employees. Ernst & Young gave 9,000 of its mainland China and Hong Kong employees the opportunity to take one month of unpaid leave during the first half of 2009. Almost 90 percent of the firms auditors agreed to take the unpaid leave.
In an approximately a 750-word essay, address the following:
Explain why companies would put in the time and effort to develop alternative strategies in order to avoid cutting jobs and laying off employees.
Considering economic reasons as well as social responsibility, do you believe companies should avoid layoffs at all costs? Explain your answer.
Discuss if you believe job losses and layoffs can be beneficial for companies and for employees.
State your opinions about training and development. Do you believe it can help reduce or eliminate the need for layoffs?
For detailed grading criteria, refer to the rubric below.

Job Cuts Case Study Grading Rubric
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Needs Improvement
Points
Content &
Development
80 points
72-80 points
Content is comprehensive, accurate, and persuasive. Major points are stated clearly and are well supported. Responses are excellent, timely and address assignment including course concepts. Content and purpose of the writing are clear. Word count is at least 750.
56-71 points
Content is accurate and persuasive. Major points are stated. Responses are adequate and address assignment. Content and purpose of the writing are clear. Word count is between 650 750.
0-55 points
Content is incomplete. Major points are not clear and /or persuasive. Questions were not adequately answered. Word count is below 650.
Organization
20 points
18-20 points
The document is formatted correctly per APA guidelines. Font style and size is consistent throughout the document. Has at least two references and in-text citations.
14-17 points
The document is mostly formatted correctly Per APA guidelines. Font style and size is consistent throughout the document. Has one reference and one in-text citation.
0-13 points
The document is not formatted correctly per APA guidelines. The font style and size is not consistent throughout the document. Does not list any references and/or citations.
Mechanics
10 points
9-10 points
No spelling and/or grammatical errors.
7-8 points
1-3 spelling and/or grammatical errors.
0-6 points
4 or more spelling and/or grammatical errors.
Instructor Comments:
Total Points:

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