CASE STUDY“ Doing the Dirty Work”

Chicken Processing Industry

By:

Sapan Gupta

Introduction• The current case study discusses the nature of

work in the United States.

Facts in the Case Study

• The number of poultry workers has almost doubled since 1980 and today constitute a workforce of around 250,000 people.

• Chicken processing industry has become a major component of the state economies of Georgia, North Carolina,Mississipi,Arkansas and Alabama

Problem identification

• Bad working environment: Health and sanitation problems

Tight work space

Safety issues

• Lack of back up of human

resource

Alternative solutions

• Improve working conditions by:

Providing large working space

Scheduling regular breaks during the work

Providing health insurance schemes

Establishment of shift system

Recruitment of more competent workers

Providing appropriate uniforms and equipments,

such as gloves, masks, light helmets, etc.

5. SWOT ANALYSIS

• Strengths: The chicken processing unit provides huge employment opportunities. The chicken processing plant generates large revenue for the economy.• Weaknesses: Inefficient supply chain due to a large no of intermediaries. Health and sanitation issues. Congested working space. Greater risk involved while using the instruments.• Opportunities: The growth of the industry ensures to minimize the consumer price

gap, so that the poultry products reach the customers at a comparatively lesser price.

• Threats: Risk of disease outbreak(e.g. bird flu) Huge price volatility, lack of institutional markets. Protection to domestic poultry markets withdrawn.

Conclusion Doing the Dirty Work makes visible the invisible

lives and work of domestic workers throughout

the world. It shows how many people work in

dirty, grimy and unsafe working environment.

Some of the major problems in this case are bad

working environment like tight working space,

health and safety issues and these problems can

be solved by the establishment of a human

resource department in the organization. The

department can then address various issues on

workers safety, incentives etc which will not only

enhance the profitability of the firm but also

create happy employees.

Answers to questions in the case study

• Q.1:- How relevant are the concept of competencies to the job in a chicken- processing plant?

ANSWER TO Q: 1

• Competency is basically the skills, knowledge and ability that an employee should posses to do

the particular task successfully. Working in a chicken processing plant is not an easy task. Not

everyone will be willing and competent to work in a dirty, gleaming and unsafe setting because

of the working environment, health issues and dangers associated with it. The workers need to

be an expert to use the knives, cutters, scissors and other machinery instruments they use to

perform their job. On an average the chain moves ninety chickens per minutes for nine hours, so

they should be efficient in managing time and be alert during the whole process as they work for

a continuous pace. This job requires experienced and patience labors who are willing to risk

their life to dangerous working environment. For instance, a vegetarian will not be competent

enough to perform this job. Therefore, the employees in a chicken processing plant should be

very competent and most importantly willing to do the job.

Q.2:- How might you try to improve the jobs in a chicken processing plant?

ANSWER

• Establishment of Human Resource Department

• Job rotation and shifts• Hire or recruit those people more competent

people • Provide guidelines for using the instruments

such as scissors, knives etc.

Q.3:- Are dirty, dangerous, and unpleasant jobs an inevitable part of any economy?

ANSWER

• Yes, because this job provides employment opportunities to those who have

less academic qualification. It constitutes a work force of around a quarter of

a million people in USA. Chicken processing industry has became a major

component of the many state economies like Georgia, Mississippi, North

Carolina, and Alabama etc and jobs such as these on the chicken processing

are actually becoming increasingly common.

• And there is a huge demand for the chicken not only in USA but in the global

market. The hotel industry contributes a huge chunk of revenue to the

economy.