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www.gyaniversity.com140Managerial Processes-I immediate discharge. He also reminded them that it was the policy of the company to enforce the rule without exception. A few days later the Personnel Director, the Plant Manager, and the Sales Manager sat together at lunch. The Sales Manager reported thathe was faced with the necessity of notifying one of their best customers that his order must be delayed because of the liability of one department to conform to schedule. The department in question was the one from which the two workers had been discharged. Not only had it been impossible to replace these men to date, but disgruntlement over the incident had led to significant decline in the cooperation of the other workers. The Personnel Director and the Sales Manager took the position that the discharge of these two valuable men could have been avoided if there had been provision for considering the circumstances of the case. They pointed out that the incident was costly to the company in the possible loss of a customer, in terms ofdissatisfaction withinthe employee group, and in the time and money that would be involved in recruiting and training replacements. The Plant Manager could not agree with this point of view. %u2018%u2018We must have rules if we are to have efficiency; and the rules are no good unless weenforce them. Furthermore, if we start considering all these variations in circumstances, we will find ourselves loaded down with everybody thinking he is an exception.%u2019 He admitted that the grievances were frequent but countered with the point that they could be of little consequence if the contract agreed by the Union was followed by the letter.Questions associated with the case study:(a) Identify the core issues in the case.(b) Place yourself in the position of Personnel Director. Which of the following courses would you choose and why?Would you have discharged both men?Would you have discharged Bhola only?Would you have discharged Nathu only?Would you have discharged neither of them? Justify your choice of decision.(c) What policy and procedural changes would you recommend for handling such cases in the future?Exam Prediction: 69%Source: Internal IGNOU & Study Centre Papers(a) Core Issues in the Case:Strict Rule Enforcement vs. Fairness:The case revolves around whether the strict enforcement of a company rule (punching out only one's own card) should