Case Study 8: Data Processing (1967)

Mr. Lrand. >> Yeah. >> Mrs. Carson from data processing is here. >> Oh, yes. Show her in, please. >> Come right in, Mrs. Carson. >> Come in, Melly. Come in. Sit down. Now, what seems to be troubling you? One of those mechanical monsters acting up. >> Oh, no. The machines are fine, but the people Let me start at the beginning. >> All right. >> Well, I always felt that my girls were capable of doing more work if they wanted to. Now I know it. Two months ago, I put on a new girl and she's doing 25% more work than anybody else. The other girls are ganging up on her. They're using every trick they can think of to slow her down. Helen's an ambitious girl and she won't knuckle under. >> I see. And what's been your reaction? >> I've encouraged her, told her to stand her ground, but well, I'm not too sure how long she's going to last considering the treatment she's taking. >> Well, Millie, I think you realize that something must be done at once, or else you wouldn't be in here talking to me. Now, what's your suggestion? >> Well, I'm sure of my support. The main problem is Jane. Jane Benley. She's the ring leader. Whatever she says goes with the other girls. I've been fighting her for 2 years now. I've done everything I could to break her in, but well, she's managed to turn all the girls against me. Jane, may I have the reference manual, please? Jane. Oh, never mind. Do you have Oh, thank you. >> Well, if it isn't little Miss Eager Beaver. I don't like that, Jane. Well, you can always run tell Mama. Where's the old hatchet anyway? If you're referring to Mrs. Carson, she went to personnel. When you're through messing up my work area, you can beat it. This is office property. I can use it anytime I want. Woo! Temper. Temper. Don't lose control. What would that nice Mrs. Carson say? I'm surprised at you, Jane. I could She's going to cry. Isn't that too bad? Why don't you quit trying to impress everyone? And be sure and report that you caught me reading a magazine. >> Why? It's practically impossible for me to discipline them. >> Impossible? Well, come now, Millie. Even though I mean it time and time again, I've told the girls they shouldn't stand around just gossiping, not to bring those cheap magazines and radios to work. >> That's completely reasonable, >> of course. But they do it anyway. But dozens of times I've had to break up groups of girls just standing around and talking. And I know that they bring in those books and magazines and hide them in their desk and read them behind my back. It was terrible. >> I see you really do have a problem, >> Mr. Land. Maybe it would help if we had a clearcut policy or a rule to cover these situations. I mean, I thought of firing Jane, but half the girls would quit if I did. You know how difficult it is to get trained operators these days.