9/1/23, 10:55 AM
BUSI735 Case Study 15 - ?????????
about:blank
1/8
CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Abstract
Jim Beam, a bourbon-making plant found in Bullitt County, is a business and as a business the
organization tries to increase productivity and increase the efficiency of employees. Jim Beam
changed policies to the detriment of their employees by taking away unlimited bathroom breaks.
This new policy forces employees to forgo their human rights and ignore medical issues.
Through this policy employees fear losing their jobs and feel dehumanized in the process. The
Labor Cabinet, in an attempt to protect employees’ rights, issued a citation to Jim Beam with the
reason being that company was breaking federal labor law. The issue of Jim Beam following a
rational systems model affects employees negatively and in turn hurts the production of the
company. The negative issues sparked by the new bathroom break policy have caused outrage
and caused labor groups such as the Labor Cabinet to speak out to bring forth dignity to the
employees.
1
9/1/23, 10:55 AM
BUSI735 Case Study 15 - ?????????
about:blank
2/8
CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Keywords: rational systems theory, Contingency Model, open system, management
Case Study: Employee Goals Scenario Assignment
The goal of any organization is to increase productivity and increase profit. Jim Beam’s
main goals are to improve the productivity in their Bullitt County bourbon-making plant and to
increase time management efficiency of all employees. To meet organizational goals, Jim Beam
management proposed and instituted strict rules for employees to follow. These rules were meant
to limit the amount of time employees spent away from the production line and control the
number of times they would utilize the bathroom. The new policy caused difficulties for
employees, especially those with medical issues. The issues that the new bathroom break policy
