Assignment Task

Managing Workload

John is a manager of a local sports store.  He didn’t like it when his boss told him recently that he needs to pay more attention to work in his outlet.  He was told that he needs to concentrate on the important things and leave the rest to others.  “I don’t know what he expects,” John thought.  “I am not slack, and I always work overtime.  I have more work to do than one person can get done.”  He got on with his work for the day.

At 8.50am, John realised that Sarah and Joe had not arrived for their shift, which had an 8.30am start.  He noticed that there was no one attending to the queue at the counter.  “Better get out there myself,” he thought.  His assistant manager, Paula, was out back.  Paula came out to the counter after John had served three customers.  He didn’t want to make a big deal of it in front of customers and figured that she was there now.

John was starting to feel quite stressed and had a headache coming on, so he went into the lunch room for a water.  He realised that he had a report due that he needed to submit by close of business that day.  Paula could do it, but he didn’t think that she should see the revenue figures.  If everyone knew what was going on, he may lose his sense of control over things...

1. What are the key issues for John in terms of his time management practices?

2. What could John do to be more effective with his time?

3. How could John better assess and prioritise his workload to ensure that tasks are completed within identified timeframes?

4. What systems and tools could John be using to better manage the store?

5. How could John communicate with his manager to ensure that work goals and objectives are understood and agreed in accordance with organisational requirements?

6. How could John actively seek feedback from colleagues and clients on his own performance and that of the store?

7. How could John identify the sources and effects of stresses he is experiencing in his role as manager of the store and access appropriate supports and resolution strategies?

8. What supports and resolution strategies could John access to help him manage the stresses of his role?

9. What strategies could John use to identify his learning and professional development needs and skill gaps in relation to his role and organisational requirements?

10. Explain how John could use a personal development plan to help him plan and prioritise the learning and professional development activities he will undertake. 

Managing Stress

1. Imagine that a colleague is experiencing stress due to an increased workload since a co-worker left the organisation recently.  They have been working long hours, they are not sleeping well, and they have become difficult to work with as they can be abrupt and snappy at times.  What support and resolution strategies might help this person?

2. The scenario describes some indicators that the person is experiencing high levels of stress. List five (5) other signs that a person is stressed. 

3. The scenario describes some sources of workplace stress. List five (5) other workplace stressors.