Business writing (деловое письмо). Палагина С.С. - 97 стр.

reduced absenteeism, lateness and even labour turnover. It would not be difficult to
monitor these figures.

      7.3.2 Task Definition Worksheet

      You are representatives of the management at the Maxwell House plant – a food
products manufacturing facility that is facing challenges in the marketplace relating
to the need for increased productivity and new product development.

Overview of the Company
      Located Houston, Texas, Maxwell House has been in operation at current site
since 1952. It is one of three Maxwell House plants nationwide, and its specialty is
producing decaffeinated coffee. Other product lines include specialty packaging of
coffee and other food products for the hotel and restaurant industry as well as for
commercial airlines.
      The labor force at the plant is representative of the city. The whole number of
workers is 620. About 40% of them are black, 30% Hispanic and 30% white. Wage
rates at the plant are competitive with those of other manufacturing plants in the area.
Workers receive an average of $14 to $15 per hour.
      The plant is divided into three business units and runs on three shifts, but
divisions develop their own work schedules.

    7.3.3 Study the following documents to learn about the problem that your
company had a year ago:

Document №1

Memorandum

From: Steve Gault, Director
    To: Pauline Grey, Personnel Manager
    Date: 12 Sept. 1999
    Subject: Employee Testing at the Plant

     We have recently received a barrage of compaints from the Production
Department. They are having problems due to the recent initiation of a higher degree
of automation at the plant.
     In order to become more competitive, the company has introduced new
manufacturing technology. The production process has been more automated, and the
focus on improving quality and productivity has led to the widespread use of
computers in monitoring all major manufacturing components. As a result of
changes, most of the workers are experiencing difficulty in making adjustment to a
higher technology environment.
     Therefore we are introducing a testing program to identify workers’ level of
education and their capacity for adaptation to new working conditions. You are
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