Question

In a midsummer strategy session, a company determines that it will close its West Coast manufacturing unit and move the entire manufacturing effort to the East Coast head office. To bring the East Coast office fully online, 100 new positions will have to be filled. The work is going to migrate to the East Coast over a 90-day period that will begin September 1. HR has been asked for advice and support.

What is the first action for HR to take to begin to support this business initiative?

A. Initiate the layoff process for the employees located on the West Coast.
B. Ask business partners for their ideas about what might be needed to support this initiative.
C. Talk to West Coast employees to determine their interest in the positions on the East Coast.
D. Review all of the job descriptions, current salaries and benefits, and existing policies to support the initiative.
Previous Question

Answer 1

To support the company's initiative of moving manufacturing to the East Coast, HR should initially review job descriptions, salaries, benefits, and policies and understand the interest of current employees for relocation, while preparing for the natural labor market adjustment and potential frictional unemployment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first action HR should take to begin to support the business initiative of relocating the manufacturing effort is to review all of the job descriptions, current salaries, benefits, and existing policies. This thorough review is essential to understand the existing framework and to align it with the new plans. It's important for HR to gauge the interest of current employees regarding relocation and to understand the labor requirements of the new positions on the East Coast.

In addition, HR must be prepared for various outcomes regarding employee interest in relocation. Realistically, not all West Coast employees will be able or willing to move due to various factors such as family commitments, financial constraints, and personal preferences. The reality of the labor market means that workers will experience frictional unemployment, as they may need to seek new professions or might have to move to find suitable employment.