Bierderlack has a policy that states that more than three absences in a six-month period will result in a suspension. Chloe, the manager, has just decided to suspend one of her shift employees for violating this policy. This is an example of
a. a nonprogrammed decision.
b. an insignificant decision.
c. a personal grudge.
d. poor management.
e. a programmed decision.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: e. a programmed decision
A programmed decision refers to a decision that is routine, repetitive, and often governed by established rules, procedures, or policies. These decisions are made in response to structured problems—those that occur frequently and have clear solutions that have been decided upon in advance.
In the scenario presented, Chloe is following an established company policy at Bierderlack which states that more than three absences in a six-month period will result in a suspension. This means that the conditions under which disciplinary action is to be taken have already been clearly defined by the organization. As a result, the manager simply follows the policy when the threshold is met. There is little to no ambiguity or need for judgment in this case, and Chloe’s decision aligns with a standard, repeatable process.
This is what makes the decision a programmed one. Programmed decisions are typically made in situations where there are predetermined rules and where decisions can be automated or handled quickly. They differ from nonprogrammed decisions, which require more complex judgment, creativity, or problem-solving in situations that are novel or unstructured.
Let’s break down why the other options are incorrect:
- a. a nonprogrammed decision: Incorrect, because Chloe is acting based on a predefined company rule—not making a unique or complex judgment.
- b. an insignificant decision: Incorrect, since a suspension can have serious implications for the employee and the workplace.
- c. a personal grudge: Incorrect, as Chloe’s action is based on policy, not emotion or personal bias.
- d. poor management: Incorrect, as following company policy is typically a sign of consistent and fair management.
In summary, Chloe’s decision to suspend the employee reflects a programmed decision, where organizational policies are applied to ensure consistent handling of routine issues like attendance violations.