Prompt:
Men vs. Women’s Jobs
You are a new HR Manager in a medium sized company, Caster Construction. The organization builds
commercial buildings such as office complexes, schools, etc. Your workforce consists of managers,
engineers and other professionals, administrative employees, and semi and unskilled construction
workers.
You have been reviewing policies and practices company wide. Since the company operates many job
sites over a wide geographical area, you are finding that recruiting and hiring practices are not uniform.
Recently, you were speaking to a female employee at one of the job sites and discussed that females
working in the construction trade was not the norm. Her supervisor indicated that she was an
outstanding employee. You asked if she had applied for or considered higher level jobs within the
organization. She stated that she was interested in some but discovered the jobs were considered
“Men’s” jobs due to the lifting requirements, knowledge required, or danger.
Upon reviewing the job applications, you found that traits such as height, weight, and sex were required
fields. When you inquired about the purpose of such information you were told that females couldn’t
do some jobs and others required people at least 6’ tall and some jobs had weight restrictions.
Therefore, answers to those questions could disqualify applicants from jobs. Obviously, this was of
concern.
When you took your concerns to your boss, he indicated that he understood the requirements and
believed there are Men and Women jobs. You really have two choices. Accept your boss’s explanation
and change nothing or disagree and take it to the next level. Which would you choose and why? Detail
a plan, as to how you would remedy the problem you identify. Be prepared to present your plan to me
(your bosses, boss) and include an elevator speech. Review the instructions above to ensure your
proposal meets the requirements.
Per the Instructions:
Write clearly. Write concisely. Write with organization and structure. Communicate the problem, the
realistic consequences, the options, the chosen proposed solution, the benefits and the dangers.
In this scenario, I’m your boss and you are writing to me in order to convince me to accept your proposal.
I’m a tough old man, but reasonable. But I have little tolerance for long, rambling dissertations to
communicate simple realities. Nor do I have patience for short, non-sensical attempts to communicate
ideas and thoughts that only display the authors inability to communicate in writing. The old adage KISS
(Keep It Simple Stupid) always applies. But I’ll also add “Make It Complete and Readable”.
Think about it, research it, develop a proposal and
communicate that proposal in writing to me. Make sure your communication meets these requirements:
Ideally 5 pages
Format – I’m your boss. I need to understand it! It must flow with a structured format that
communicates a structured and logical message. Don’t try to impress me with big words and
don’t worry about any specific format.
You must have at least 3 outside references (credible articles, book quotes etc. that will enhance
your credibility)
You must write to convince! Write to communicate! Write to create action!Think about it, research it, develop a proposal and
communicate that proposal in writing to me.
Finally, you should create a “written elevator speech (look it up)” that is no longer than 300 words that summarizes your proposal.
One further note: This is not an English Class. I won’t grade every nuance of punctuation. I won’t
deduct if you miss a comma. But you must use punctuation when it affects the meaning and
understanding. In other words, if it doesn’t make sense because you failed to use a comma or
used endless run on sentences or misspelled words, your grade will suffer. Not because of failure
to follow punctuation protocol but due to clarity of communication. You see, I’m really more
interested in how and what you think, rather than your ability to follow strict grammatical
protocol.
I will assess if your solution is realistic, workable, and addresses the issue. For example, if your job is to
kill a fly and you choose to burn the building down, it may work but it is neither practicable, realistic, or
workable. That would receive a poor grade.
You must, certainly:
Identify problem or issue
Identify consequences of no action
Delineate your plan (include estimated costs)
Must have at least 3 outside references (credible articles, book quotes etc.)
Define your solution
Convince me (Your Boss) that your approach is reasonable and worth a shot.
Do all of this in 5 pages or less.
Create an elevator speech no more than 300 words.
Your paper must be submitted by the prescribed due date via email in Microsoft word format
When you finish, I will make a decision to accept, reject, or re-evaluate. Your grade will be dependent on
how well your plan is articulated, the credibility of your solution, how well you have structured your
thoughts, the credibility of your references, and how practical your solution.
Please use these headings:
• Problem or issue
• Consequences of no action
• Plan or Proposed Solution
• Define your solution
• Elevator Speech