Asking for volunteers is asking for trouble
WICHITA, Kan. -- In a service department, the workload had declined. The
manager, with good motives, announced: "To avoid a layoff, I must cut
some hours. So I'm asking for volunteers to clock out when things get
slow."
Problems emerged within two weeks. During slow periods, some employees
who should have left, stayed. "I need the money," they said. Others who
should have stayed, because they had the skills needed for certain types
of work, left. "I needed the time off," they said.
Further, fissures appeared in relationships. The workload might
suggest that two should clock. But four wanted to. Not wanting to "draw
straws," the volunteers resorted to immature griping about who among them
had earned the privilege.
In another example, a manager, wanting to reduce errors in reports,
said: "I want a task force to work on this. I'm asking for volunteers."
Several people volunteered, including many of the people who were
responsible for the errors.
Some task-force members could not resist hardy efforts to "attach
blame." Others eloquently defended their "mistakes." There was much
discussion about unreasonable requests and things being beyond their
control. "At times, we looked like a demolition derby," commented one
member.
The final recommendations of the task force were very weak and only
partially alleviated the problem.
In my experience, such results from "asking for volunteers" are all
too typical. I believe that managers, with meaningful input, have the
responsibility for assigning resources, including personnel.
One, managers, because of their positions, have a broader
organizational perspective; and two, they can more objectively assess who
has the skills for the task at hand.
Further, it is very hard for most of us, when volunteering, to resist
placing our individual needs above the organization's needs. And that is
one of the many reasons why the position of manager exists.
Quiz for managers
In which of the following situations do you think it appropriate to
ask for volunteers?
- 1. Who should go during downsizing?
- 2. Who should work overtime?
- 3. Who should be on a task force to solve a specific problem?
- 4. Who should be on a standing committee?
- 5. Who should take the "undesirable" vacation times?
- 6. Who should do the messy work assignments?
- 7. Who should schedule early (or late) lunch breaks?
- 8. Who should get the less-desirable shifts?
Although some would disagree, in my opinion, managers should not make
any
of these decisions by asking for volunteers.
Source:The Tampa Tribune - May 8, 1995 - GERALD GRAHAM of Knight-Ridder Newspapers
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