I managed a change to automate a manual pharma manufacturing plant as part of an acquisition. We had a workforce of several hundred employees. When we were done, the goal was to automate so that the process would be fully automated. The existing manual shop floor workforce had an option to be trained or take a package. The plant was unionized and that was the goal we negotiated with the union. Employees would have several opportunities to repeat the training until they could qualify to work with the computerized devices. We had one individual who refused the package but could never pass the training. Tutors were assigned and the deadline for passing was extended. The package expired and the person still was not qualified. They were let go without a package and not offered an alternative position.
This one has haunted me. Have you ever experienced a similar situation? What could we have done differently??
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Frank Gorman, Former ACMP Board Member, Transformation Consultant
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