In attempting to improve the work habits of the staff, a supervisor's chief concern should be to:

• A. Assume that correct work habits will develop from employees observing the good habits of others in the group
• B. Make scientific time studies of the workmanship of all employees before attempting to correct any work habits
• C. Permit each employee to use individuality in performing his assigned tasks so as not to stifle initiative
• D. Teach and re-teach the employees to use properly and consistently the methods and tools at hand

Answer: (D)

Teaching and reinforcing the correct methods and proper use of tools is the most effective way to establish good work habits. When employees receive clear instruction and then practice these standard procedures repeatedly, the desired behaviors become automatic and consistent across the team. This standardization reduces variability, minimizes errors, and builds reliable performance.

Relying on simply watching others to learn can spread informal and inconsistent practices. Waiting to conduct time studies before any correction focuses on measurement over skill development and can slow improvement. Allowing individuals to perform tasks with their own methods risks deviating from accepted procedures and harming overall efficiency. By contrast, deliberate instruction and re-teaching of the proper methods and tools directly support sustained, correct work habits.