Case | HBS Case Collection | June 2008

Treadway Tire Company: Job Dissatisfaction and High Turnover at the Lima Plant

by C. Wickham Skinner and Heather Beckham

Abstract

Treadway Tire's plant in Lima, Ohio must confront strong job dissatisfaction and high turnover among its line foremen. The foremen are caught in the middle of an adversarial relationship between the union and management, and they must cope with the needs and interests of both. They also perceive limited opportunity for career advancement. Solving the problem requires rethinking the philosophy that guides workforce management and changing the Treadway culture that has grown up around that philosophy. Facing mounting pressure to reduce costs and increase productivity, director of human resources Ashley Wall must work quickly to analyze the root causes of the problem and provide an action plan to reduce turnover of the line foreman segment.

Keywords: Superior ＆ subordinate; Labor relations; Work force management; leadership; change management; human resource management; hiring; Job satisfaction; organizational culture; Management; Leadership; Retention; Rank and Position; Organizational Culture; Change Management; Selection and Staffing; Satisfaction; Personal Development and Career; Labor and Management Relations; Manufacturing Industry; Auto Industry; Ohio;

Language: English Format: Print 12 pages EducatorsPurchase

Citation:

Skinner, C. Wickham, and Heather Beckham. "Treadway Tire Company: Job Dissatisfaction and High Turnover at the Lima Plant." Harvard Business School Brief Case 082-189, June 2008.

About the Author

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Wickham Skinner
James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus

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