Scenario # 1: Theories of Work Motivation
Your company provides diversity training programs to ensure that employees realise the importance of working with
a diverse workforce, are aware of the equal employment opportunity legislation, and are capable of addressing the
challenges of working in a multicultural workforce. Participation in these programs is mandatory, and employees are
required to take the training as many times as needed until they pass. The training program lasts one day and is usually
conducted in a nice hotel outside the workplace. Employees are paid for the time they spend in the training program.
You realise that employees are not motivated to perform well in this program. During the training, they put in the
minimum level of effort, and most participants fail the examination given at the conclusion of the training program
and then have to retake the training.
Adapted from: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing (2017)
Question 1 Instructions:
This assignment should be submitted as an essay and include the following:
a. A definition of process theories of work motivation.
b. Use expectancy and reinforcement theories and explain four reasons (supported by the literature) why the
employees may not be motivated to perform well in the training program.
c. Suggest improvements in the program so that employees are motivated to understand the material, pass the
examination, and apply the material in the workplace.
Scenario # 2: Compensation and Benefits Administration
You just finished analysing information for the current compensation and benefits program information. You find that
some changes should be made, as the majority of employees (you have 120 employees) are unhappy with what is
being offered. In fact, the plan had not been revised in over fifteen years, making it dated and definitely ready for
some changes.
One of the major points of contention is the Paid Time Off (PTO) the organisation offers. Employees feel the current
system of sick time and vacation time offers too few options. For example, one employee says, “I often come to work
sick, so I can still have my vacation time for my vacation.” Another employee says, “I have given nine years to this
organisation, but I receive only three days more than someone who has just started.”
Here is the current PTO offering:
1+ year 7 days ,5+years 10 days ,10+ years 14 days.
Adapted from: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing (2016).
Question 2 Instructions:
This assignment should be submitted as an essay and include the following:
a. Definition of compensation package.
b. What four cost considerations would you take into account when revising the PTO section of your
compensation plan?
c. What four other considerations you would you take into account when developing a new PTO plan?
d. Propose a new plan to the board of directors. The plan should be in the form of a table (spreadsheet),
including PTO and other employee benefits.