When reviewing records, you notice that a certain worker's assignments consistently take longer than others; what is the best action to take?

• A. Warn the worker against deliberate slowness so that the individual knows you are aware of the situation
• B. Take this fact into consideration when making up efficiency reports
• C. Give closer supervision to future jobs to which this worker is assigned
• D. Consult your superior on the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is to use targeted supervision to diagnose and improve performance rather than punish. When a worker’s assignments consistently take longer, giving closer supervision on their future jobs allows you to observe where delays are actually coming from—whether it’s gaps in training, unclear methods, faulty tools, uneven workload, or interruptions. With direct oversight, you can provide immediate coaching, adjust procedures, or reallocate tasks as needed, guiding the worker toward faster, consistent results. This constructive approach also protects fairness by not assuming intentional slowness and avoids relying on efficiency reports to fix the issue without addressing its causes. Disciplinary action is inappropriate as a first step because it doesn’t identify root causes or give the worker a chance to improve.