Jim Beam fighting citation for bathroom-break policy

Case Study Review 1 Instructions

Respond to the following case scenario by applying topics and theories learned from the current module week:

Scenario-A Closed System, Rational Model:

Jim Beam fighting citation for bathroom-break policy

The Jim Beam bourbon-making plant in Bullitt County is fighting a state citation criticizing its policy on bathroom breaks for employees. Since October, line workers at the plant have been permitted to use the restroom only during lunch and two other times during the day – one before lunch and one after. They also are allowed one unscheduled toilet break per day, and can be disciplined for taking more, starting with a warning and escalating to dismissal after six incidents.

The old policy allowed workers to rotate off the line for short, unscheduled breaks

throughout the day, with no set number. The company changed the policy after it concluded that workers were taking advantage of the liberal break policy. The Labor Cabinet, in a citation issued in November, said Jim Beam is violating a federal labor law requiring employers to provide restroom facilities to employees. Jim Beam is appealing the citation. The cabinet did not propose a fine.

A hearing on the citation is scheduled next week in Bardstown. The distiller has filed a

memo with the Labor Cabinet, saying it “observed, documented and analyzed break habits of the employees” and consulted with a urologist to make sure that the new policy would be reasonable.” The company said people with medical conditions get more leeway. But the United Food and Commercial Workers union that represents the approximately 100 production-line

workers said the urologist determined the breaks were not motivated by need, but most

likely by “smoking habits.”

The union said 45 workers have been disciplined, some workers have begun wearing

protective undergarments and others have urinated on themselves because they were afraid to leave the line. “It’s embarrassing to be a 36-year-old woman and have to justify your need to go to the bathroom,” said Krystal Ditto, who said she has been disciplined five times and is one unscheduled bathroom visit away from losing her job. “Once you get the feeling you have to go, you sit there looking at the clock and see you have an hour to go, and it intensifies. I’m not going to sit there and be miserable.” The company is holding its ground. “We feel our system provides reasonable breaks for all employees, and we’re looking forward to explaining our position in detail next week at the hearing,” said Stephanie Moritz, director of publications for Jim Beam, based in Deerfield, Ill.

Jo Anne Kelley, the union local’s president, has worked at the Jim Beam plant for 34

years. She said the policy is degrading and that company officials have told some workers that they should “practice” going to the bathroom every two hours at home on the weekends to put themselves on a schedule. “Basically, we’re being asked to train our bladders and other organs to meet their needs, not ours,” Kelley said. “Your bodily functions don’t have a time clock.” In its appeal, Jim Beam said its break policy “effectively balances the medical needs of

employees with the company’s need to maintain a productive workforce.” (Adopted from Harvard Business Review, 2019).

Items to Address:

The following items should be evident in your case paper:

• Identify the key roles and organizational issues through a brief summary or introductory paragraph (this is not the abstract page).

• Integrate specific theories from the readings for the type of organization. You may use previous module readings when applying a specific structure/system.

• Provide your personal perspective on the case, applying theories, perspectives, and structures you along with alternatives that could be best integrated to address the participant’s concerns.

Paper Requirements:

• The paper must be written using current APA format (7^th Edition) andmust include the following and not included in the word count.:

1. Title page
2. An abstract page—-articulates a clear and comprehensive overview of the paper.
3. and references list.

• The paper must have a minimum of 825- 1,200 words. The case paper is short as you will apply your scenario in the following Discussion Board Forum assignment.
• Will be checked in SafeAssign upon submission for plagiarism.
• Do not use bullets or listing anywhere in the paper.
• Do not copy/paste the scenario into the paper.
• References must be as follows:
  • A minimum of 6 different references, in addition to the Merida text and the Bible must be used. A variety of authors and sources is required.

• Presents articulate and detailed descriptions of the problems and issues central to the case. Provides a well-focused diagnosis of strategic issues and key problems that demonstrate an excellent grasp of the situation and challenges; descriptions are compelling and insightful; provides a thorough and effective summary.
• Presents a balanced, in-depth, and critical assessment of the facts with application to required research; develops insightful and well-supported conclusions using reasoned, sound, and informed judgments. Provides a clear application to the specified concepts with evidence of original thought, not re-stating the original scenario. Suggests alternative leadership solutions with theories and concepts applied. Integrates scripture and Merida text thoroughly.

• Very well organized. The narrative has clarity and includes strong, clear and varied transitions linking sub-topics and main topic. The narrative flows well throughout.

• Proper spelling and grammar are used.