Case Study: Organizational Behavior on Employees

            It is evident that the employees were receiving payments that were below the minimum wage at sports direct (The Guardian, 2015). This is to mean that the compensation program was not effective and the employee welfare had been over looked. It is evident that the working conditions were not favorable as this could be seen by the manner in which money was deducted as a result of slight lateness (The Guardian, 2015). It is vital to note that division of duties was lacking in the company as matters dealing with employees needed to be handled by the human resource department which was not present. This has reduced motivation among the employees which in turn may affect performance (The Guardian, 2015).

            It is evident that the company has many employees who ensure the success and productivity of the company. The article gives information that the employees are normally checked as they enter the company premises (The Guardian, 2015). However, the security procedures are not effective; this is because it is evident that the surveillance is only to spot the staffs who commit offences such as wearing unauthorized uniform (The Guardian, 2015). This is to mean the company’s organizational culture is weak because the company is only concerned about productivity and not the welfare of the employees which is a major reason for high labor turn over. This can also be seen by the fact that the employees wear uniform that is not branded; this can cause the staffs not to feel as part of the company thus reducing the motivational levels (The Guardian, 2015).

            As discussed earlier, it is clear that the company saved millions of money each year by deducting money from the employees as a result of lateness (The Guardian, 2015). It is also clear that the employees were not paid for any over time that they worked. It is also critical to note that the employees faced harassment at the place of work due to noise from speakers (Latchkey children, 2015). The company culture of the company was also a major issue especially to the employees. It is clear that the company has no policy on employee welfare and this can be seen by the manner in which they handle their employees. The personal life of the employees is also affected by the conditions in the work place. The children of the employees are affected and most turn into becoming latchkey kids due to the fact that they do not find their parents at home (Latchkey children, 2015).

            The article reveals that the employees are being paid a wage that is below the minimum wage. This is to show that the policies of the company do not conform to the national policies regarding compensation (Press Release regarding National Minimum Wage Charter, 2015). It is evident that the employees do not have job security. This can be seen by the manner in which they have to report to work even under critical circumstances and the fact that they work on a zero percent contract (Press Release regarding National Minimum Wage Charter, 2015). The employees also go through body searches that can be termed as harassment on a daily basis yet the company would have installed security cameras that would be monitoring the employees without being hard on them (Press Release regarding National Minimum Wage Charter, 2015). It is also clear that the employees live in fear because they are afraid to lose their jobs if they speak out of the working conditions of the company.

            The job opportunities revealed by the company are often very appealing. This is done to attract more employees to work for the company (Career opportunities, 2015). This helps to enhance the corporate image of the company and attract people to apply for the ‘job opportunities in the company. However, what is provided on the company’s website is very different from the reality of the conditions in the work place (Career opportunities, 2015).

            The customer reviews showed exceptional performance by the company. This can be seen by the fact that the company has many employees that ensure the work is efficient thus yielding high levels of productivity (Customer Reviews, 2015). It is evident that the employees were provided a good ground where they were able to acquire experience for the work despite the horrible working conditions. The employees also complained of the poor compensation programs despite the amount of work that they did (Employee Reviews, 2015). Nevertheless, the company did not provide a competitive working environment as employees always performed the same tasks all year round. It is clear that the employees did not enjoy the working conditions in the company as they did activities due to the fear of losing the job (Employee Reviews, 2015).

            It is clear that the company sells all the clothes at a lower price thus attracting more companies (Increasing consumer interest in sports apparel, 2015). The company has been producing sportswear for leading sports people such as Wayne. It is vital to note that the company has billions of money that is received from the deductions made from the employees (Increasing consumer interest in sports apparel, 2015). The low prices have enabled the company to sell its products at a lower price.

            The company is at now facing problem while trying the destroyed corporate image for the company (The Times, 2016). This has come about as a result of the manner in which the employees were handled. However, if the employees’ welfare was reviewed the employees would help to restore the image of the company (The Times, 2016). This is due to the fact that the employees lose morale and this in turn affects the productivity levels this reducing the amounts of profits. It is also vital to note that the company asked the consumers to give them another chance with the hope of amending the culture of the organization (The Times, 2016).

References

“Inside Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct” (The Guardian, 10 December 2015, p. 1)

“Cheap labour, low-tech work: undercover in Ashley’s ‘gulag’” (The Guardian, 10 December      2015, pp. 8-9)

“Latchkey children” (The Guardian, 10 December 2015, p. 9)

Press Release regarding National Minimum Wage Charter from www.sportsdirect.com

Customer Reviews on http://www.reviewcentre.com/customer

Career opportunities shown on the Sports Direct website.

Employee Reviews (Sports Direct retail stores) from www.indeed.co.uk

“Increasing consumer interest in sports apparel…” (https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news)

“ ‘We’re in Trouble, admits Sports Direct’s’ Ashley” (The Times, 22 March 2016, p.37)

“ ‘Give us a Sporting Chance’, Ashley tells critics” (The Times, 22 March 2016, pp.38-9)