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<PROGRAM >

<SEMESTER / TAHUN >

<KOD KURSUS>

<TAJUK KURSUS>

NO. MATRIKULASI : <NO MATRIKULASI>

NO. KAD PENGNEALAN : <NO. KAD PENGENALAN>

NO. TELEFON : <TELEFON>


E-MEL : <EMEL ID>

PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN : <PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN>


1. INTRODUCTION

Everyone experiences problems from time to time. Some of our problems are big and
complicated, while others may be more easily solved. There is no shortage of challenges and
issues that can arise on the job. Whether in an office or on a construction site, experiencing
difficulties with the tasks at hand or with coworkers, the workplace presents ongoing
challenges on a daily basis. Whether these problems are large or small, they need to be dealt
with constructively and fairly. Having the necessary skills to identify solutions to problems is
one of the skills that an employee should have. Problem is a matter or situation regarded as
unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome. (WordNet 2.0, Princeton
University). Problem solving is the process or act of finding a solution to a problem. In order
to begin solving problem, we need to develop critical and creative thinking skills on top of
applying relevant tools and strategies to solve problems. Some of the strategies that we can
use to effectively solve problem with critical and creative thinking is the six step problem
solving concept by Hayes (1981), I.D.E.A.L concept by Bransford and Stein (1984). Other
strategy that can be implemented are backword, hill-climbing, means-end, generalisation and
others.

Employment downsizing has become a fact of working life as companies struggle to cut costs
and adapt to changing market demands. The assignment requires us to think about how we
can judge to accept or reject the reasons and claims given by our colleagues with regards to
the downsizing gossip. The next objective is for us to describe our thought process in order to
find the best solution for this problem. We need to develop several ideas to increase our
chances of finding the best solution to the problem.

If we were to carefully read the assignment, the problem that is clearly stated is the fact that
the downsizing is merely gossip. There is no way for us to know for sure if there is indeed
force resignation / downsizing, and if so, will we be among the ones that are saved or not.
This issue is clearly a burden to us since we are currently the breadwinner of the family,
hence, the sole responsibility to provide for the family now rest on our shoulders. The gossip
will definitely effect our emotion and ability to concentrate at the office hence we need to
develop a critical analysis to help us get the best solution.
2. PROBLEM/ISSUE IDENTIFICATION (PROBLEM SOLVING)

To begin solving this problem, we need to layout the four stage in problem solving.

2.1. Four stages of problem Solving

2.1.1. Define the problem

Diagnose the situation so that your focus is on the problem, not just its symptoms. Helpful
techniques at this stage include using flowcharts to identify the expected steps of a process
and cause-and-effect diagrams to define and analyze root causes.

2.1.2. Generate alternative solutions

Many alternative solutions should be generated before evaluating and choosing any of them.
A common mistake in problem solving is that alternatives are evaluated as they are proposed,
so the first acceptable solution is chosen, even if it’s not the best fit. If we focus on trying to
get the results we want, we miss the potential for learning something new that will allow for
real improvement.

2.1.3. Evaluate and select an alternative

Skilled problem solvers use a series of considerations when selecting the best alternative.
They consider the extent to which:

 A particular alternative will solve the problem without causing other unanticipated
problems.

 All the individuals involved will accept the alternative.

 Implementation of the alternative is likely.

 The alternative fits within the organizational constraints.

2.1.4. Implement and follow up on the solution

Feedback channels must be built into the implementation of the solution, to produce
continuous monitoring and testing of actual events against expectations. Problem solving, and
the techniques used to derive elucidation, can only be effective in an organization if the
solution remains in place and is updated to respond to future changes.
2.2. Sub-goaling & decomposition

Subgoaling is setting intermediate goals until the main goal is reached. With respect to our
assignment, the sub goals is stated in the chart below:

GOALS
Security in job
Steady, good salary

Overcome depression due Clear mind and reduce Get a job with steady
to loss of husband anxiety due to uncertainty income
in current job

Figure 1 Sub-goals with regards to current problem

2.3. Judge to accept or reject the reasons and claims

There are six ways to judge to accept or reject a claim. For this assignment, our colleagues
stipulated that our company is being downsized and some of the employees will be need to
resign very soon. However half of them believe this claim and half of them brushed it off as
just gossip. Some of our colleague has provided the argument that the company is in a lot of
debt currently. Even though this information can be access by some employee, it is strictly
confidential and we cannot take it as a confirm thing. Although it is a strong reason for a
downsize, it is not necessarily enough to accept the claim. However, given our current
situation, we do not have the luxury of the benefit of the doubt because we cannot take the
risk of the claim being true. Hence, we are going to accept the claim as true and prepare
accordingly.
2.4. Hayes Six Step Problem Solving Model

2.4.1. Define the Problem

With regards to this assignment, our major problem is the fact that we lose our husband, who
is the breadwinner of the family. Between the insecurities about our job in the near future and
the crippling depression of losing a loved one has caused tremendous amount of stress and
depression in our life. On top of that, the risk of losing the job is too big on our life due to
having three kids without a father.

2.4.2. Determine the Root Cause(s) of the Problem

Losing a loved one is inevitable and is an act of God. There is no way for us to calculate that
risk. However, losing a job is a calculated risk. We can expect it and can prepare accordingly.
Hence, the root cause of our problem is erring on the insecurities of losing our job.

2.4.3. Develop Alternative Solutions

We need to provide several solution before evaluating which is the best one. For this
assignment, these are the best solutions to be considered:

 Apply for another, better job straight away.

 Re-marry

 Work harder at our current position to ensure that we are saved if retrenchment were
to happen

 See our manager to discuss our situation

2.4.4. Step Four: Select a Solution

Based on the listed solution, the best is to straight away apply for a better job. In the event
that retrenchment were to happen, we have already begin seeking for a new job and hopefully
will secure it soon. But if it doesn’t happen, there’s no harm in changing job especially if it
can provide better salary and benefit to us now that we are the breadwinner.\

2.4.5. Implement the solution

We can begin looking for jobs using online method and sending out resumes to selected
company. Arranging for interviews could be tricky since we are still employed but is doable
with planning.
2.4.6. Evaluate the Outcome

Having the effort of looking for another job is already helping our mental health since we can
have our attention focused on getting back on our feet and securing better job for the sake of
ourselves and our family.

From this breakdown, we can evaluate if we have successfully achieve our sub goals
previously listed in the next chapter.
3. ANALYSIS PROBLEM

3.1. Sub-goals detail


After breaking down our problem using Hayes’s problem solving model, we can relate it
back to our sub-goals to determine if our solution effectively reach our goal and sub goal.

3.1.1. Overcome depression due to loss of husband


There’s no best way to achieve this goal however, looking and acquiring a new job might be
the much needed fresh start that can help us begin our new and better life.

3.1.2. Clear mind and reduce anxiety due to uncertainty in current job
For this sub goal, we can be 100% sure that we can achieve it with our solution since having
another job effectively remove the anxiety of losing our current job.

3.1.3. Get a job with steady income


Looking for a better job can help us get the opportunity to have a better salary. Due to the
debt of our current employer, there’s an indefinite amount of doubt about the security of our
current position, much less a raise or bonus.

With all this sub-goals affectively achieve, we can confidently say that we can achieve our
main goal of having a secured job and better income.

3.2. Root Cause Analysis


RCA assumes that systems and events are interrelated. An action in one area triggers an
action in another, and another, and so on. By tracing back these actions, we can discover
where the problem started and how it grew into the symptom we're now facing.

3.2.1. Physical
There are no specific physical factor that can be related to our problem however, having
physically unable to concentrate on our work due to the stress and the pressure can be said as
one of the factor

3.2.2. Human
The obvious human factor is the rumours about the retrenchment. With absolutely no idea if
the rumours are true or not, we were forced to take necessary precaution to look for another
job that comes with better salary and security.

3.2.3. Organization
Organization factors that can be listed are the fact that the company refused to resolve the
rumours and just let their staff speculate. This could also ultimately be the sign that the
rumours are true.
Analysis (Problem solving strategies)

“Research indicates that job insecurity reduces both physical and mental health, increases
burnout, reduces job satisfaction and decreases work performance,” said Dr. Vander Elst.
Although some have theorized that a little insecurity isn’t a bad thing because people might
work harder to keep their jobs, she said studies showed that “any amount of job insecurity
isn’t good.”
APENDIKS

RUJUKAN / REFERENSI

Nama Pengarang, (tahun), Tajuk Buku, Penerbitan


< PROGRAM >

< SEMESTER / YEAR>


< COURSE CODE>

< COURSE TITLE>

MATRICULATION NO : <MATRIC NO>

IDENTITY CARD NO. : <IC NUMBER>

TELEPHONE NO. : <TELEPHONE>

E-MAIL : <EMAIL ID>

LEARNING CENTRE : <LEARNING CENTER>


INSTRUCTIONS

 Do not copy the assignment question and instructions to your answer.


 Prepare your assignment answer following the layout of the ASSESSMENT
CRITERIA shown in the RUBRICS provided for the course. Where RUBRICS are not
provided, follow the instructions/guidelines specified by the Open University Malaysia
(OUM) for the assignment concerned.
 Your assignment should be written according to the number of words outlined in the
assignment instruction EXCLUDING references.
 Type your answer using 12 point Times New Roman font and 1.5 line spacing.
 Show the number of words at the end of your assignment.
 Tables and figures where provided, should be appropriately titled.
 List your references separately in the APPENDIX page.
ATTACHMENT

REFERENCES

Author’s name (year). Book, Title, Publication

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