At the Diwali time, Gupta Bros., leading manufacturers of gift items, decided to reduce the rest interval of workers from 40 minutes to 15 minutes. However, due to heavy workload and reduction in time of rest interval, efficiency of workers went down and it led to a fall in production level, instead of rising.

Which technique of scientific management should be followed by Gupta Bros to correct the situation?

Fatigue Study

The correct answer is option 1- Fatigue Study.

Gupta Bros. should follow Fatigue Study. Fatigue Study involves analyzing the impact of work conditions, including rest intervals, on workers' efficiency and productivity. Since reducing the rest interval led to a decrease in workers' efficiency and production levels, conducting a Fatigue Study would help Gupta Bros. determine the optimal rest period needed to maintain or improve productivity while managing worker fatigue effectively.

Fatigue Study- A person is bound to feel tired physically and mentally if she/he does not rest while working. The rest intervals will help one to regain stamina and work again with the same capacity. This will result in increased productivity. Fatigue study seeks to determine the amount and frequency of rest intervals in completing a task. For example, normally in a plant, work takes place in three shifts of eight hours each. Even in a single shift, a worker has to be given some rest interval to take her/his lunch, etc. If the work involves heavy manual labour then small pauses have to be frequently given to the worker so that she/he can recharge her/his energy level for optimum contribution. There can be many causes for fatigue like long working hours, doing unsuitable work, having uncordial relations with the boss or bad working conditions etc. Such hindrances to good performance should be removed.

OTHER OPTIONS

• MOTION STUDY refers to the study of movements like lifting, putting objects, sitting and changing positions, etc., which are undertaken while doing a typical job. Unnecessary movements are sought to be eliminated so that it takes less time to complete the job efficiently.

• METHOD STUDY- The objective of method study is to find out one best way of doing the job. There are various methods of doing the job. To determine the best way there are several parameters. Right from procurement of raw materials till the final product is delivered to the customer every activity is part of the method study.

• TIME STUDY- It determines the standard time taken to perform a well-defined job. Time-measuring devices are used for each element of task. The standard time is fixed for the whole of the task by taking several readings. The method of time study will depend upon volume and frequency of the task, the cycle time of the operation and time measurement costs. The objective of time study is to determine the number of workers to be employed; frame suitable incentive schemes and determine labour costs.