The setting is a large reference laboratory that processes a high volume of tests with turnaround time deadlines to meet. Meeting the deadlines is dependent on the specimen processing department completing its work on time. The manager of the specimen processing department receives a memorandum from the compliance officer (CO) that several of his employees have not attended their initial compliance training sessions.
The CO reminds the manager of the requirement that all employees must attend. The employees listed in the memo are key employees who are top performers in the department. The manager knows that they have been instructed to attend and that attendance is mandatory, but the manager had left it up to the employees to choose the session they would attend. When questioned about their non-attendance, all of the individuals said they were too busy to attend and it was a matter of going to the classes or getting the work done. What action should the manager take in this situation?
Correct Answer: The manager should personally speak with each of the employees who have not complied and tell them that the classes are mandatory; they must attend or will face disciplinary action.
Discussion: The manager knows that the training sessions are mandatory and must convey the seriousness of this to the employees. The argument that "the work must get done", is a common cause of compliance problems.