(Bennett-Alexander, 2020). Facts Better Electronics, Inc. has a 25 million dollar per year business focused on the sale of consumer electronics products. In the last few years, Better Electronics, Inc. opened several online stores in an effort to increase product sales. Soon after the online stores were launched, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Technology problems and supply chain issues resulted in a significant decrease in the company’s profits. As a result, the company decided to close the online stores and reduce its workforce. You are the Vice President (VP) of Human Resources (HR) for Better Electronics, Inc. The President of the company asked you to terminate the employment for several employees. He has given you a list of people to consider and has charged you with writing a paper describing which employees to terminate, the reasons for each termination and the legal risks for each employee in terms of post termination litigation. “You have to pick 3 employees who will be terminated,” the President ordered. “Two of the employees can be moved to other positions in the company. Give me your recommendations in writing. I know you studied Employment Law, so be sure to discuss the legal issues for each employee.” Your job as VP of HR: You must terminate three (3) of the following employees. Two employees may be given new positions in another department in the company. Marcy James: Marcy is a 36-year-old African American female and a very dynamic salesperson. Although most of the new division’s sales came from Marcy’s hard work, she is perceived as overly ambitious and only interested in getting promoted. She is not a team player although it is widely recognized that she is smart and talented. Marcy is very active in the local chapter of Black Lives Matter and, on several occasions in the HRMG 5700 Case Analysis Project Fall 2021 past, has complained on behalf of other employees when she believed they were not being treated fairly. She has missed two months of work in the last 12 months. Alexis Chin: Alexis is a 23-year-old Asian-American female. She is a top-notch software engineer. However, employees find it difficult to work with Alexis. They say that she is quiet, withdrawn and unsociable. She spends most of the day sitting at her computer and avoids company social events. Alexis recently told you that she wants to be taken off all projects where Brett, a part-time contractor, is the project manager. Brett has repeatedly asked her to go out to dinner with him. When she refuses, he makes lewd and suggestive remarks. He has threatened to tell her manager that she is performing poorly on several projects if she does not give in to his demands. Alexis has missed 1 day of work each week for the last three months. She usually misses Friday – the same day as the department’s staff meeting. Brett also attends the staff meetings. Peter Pearson: Peter is a 38-year-old male who is Caucasian, and originally from Alabama. His overall track record with the company is average and his productivity is average. He has been solely responsible for much of the computer programming which took place in the online stores. He does not have a college degree, but his experience in the Navy has given him a great deal of practical experience. However, Peter seems to have an absenteeism problem, missing 18 days in the last two months. Peter has recently let you know that he suffers from a disease which affects the way he walks. He feels like others in the company have been treating him differently because of his illness. Basheer Smith: Basheer is a 34-year-old male and a naturalized American citizen. His overall track record with the company is above average. His productivity is above the median although other employees complain that he takes too many breaks. The employees argue that they work more hours, since Basheer always seems to be away from his desk. He takes several breaks during the day for prayer and meditation. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from Webster University. His job duties include maintaining computer systems which will be obsolete after the online stores are closed. He has never missed a day of work. Lucy Rice: Lucy is a 65-year-old Caucasian female. She is beloved at the company for her friendliness and willingness to help others. Lucy is an administrative assistant assigned to the organization supporting the online stores. Although the venture failed, it is generally thought that Lucy did a great job in her administrative tasks. She has been with the company for 30 years and is a widow with a grandson in college. Terminating Lucy will cause immediate financial hardship for her. She has missed 14 days in the last two months.
