BAHHRD2: We Make Everything (WME) Is In The Business Of Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Products: Human Resource Management Case Study, NCI, Ireland

Case Study

We Make Everything (WME) is in the business of manufacturing pharmaceutical products and is based in Dublin.

Lillian aged 58 years, is a qualified engineer and began working in We Make Everything in 2017. As an engineer, Lillian was employed to design and manufacture pharmaceutical products and she holds an honor’s degree in engineering and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical engineering. She has over 35 years of relevant work experience in the pharmaceutical industry. In January 2021 she spotted an advertisement for a promotion to Director of Operations in We Make Everything and she decided to apply. The advertisement specified that applicants were required to hold ‘the highest standards in education in the field of engineering together with ‘significant engineering experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Lillian was called for an interview in February 2021 but was unsuccessful in her application. Ben, is a recent graduate who began working in We Make Everything last year. He holds an undergraduate degree in engineering, and to Lillian’s dismay, Ben was offered the position. Lillian was very disappointed and she contacted Mike, the Head of HR, who carried out the interviews and requested feedback on her performance at the interview. Mike confirmed by email that:

‘6 people were called for interview and you scored very well Lillian. I did not retain any notes following the interviews in accordance with GDPR. A consensus marking scheme was used after 2 or 3 interviews so the mark sheets would be of only limited assistance in any event’. Lillian was annoyed and disappointed, but she continued with her duties.

Lillian carried out her role in an office but she was required to walk through the production line once a week, in order to inspect production levels and ensure regulatory compliance; a job which took no longer than 20 minutes. Her manager Denis, did not provide her with safety clothing because she was there for such a short time. All other employees, however, were supplied with a bodysuit with breathing devices designed to filter out any harmful fumes and the wearing of the suit was mandatory for work in this area. A few months ago, Lillian began complaining of chest pain, vomiting, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

Her doctor confirmed that this was due to high levels of exposure to chlorine on the production line and on foot of this report she informed her manager, Denis, on the 2nd of April 2021 that she would no longer be willing to walk through the factory floor. Lillian received the following email dated the 3 rd of April 2021:

‘Dear Lillian,

Your failure to comply with your contract of employment amounts to gross misconduct and having considered the matter, your contract of employment is hereby terminated with immediate effect.

Lillian has since obtained a senior engineering role in another business, Pharmaceuticals are Us, and on better pay but she is unhappy about her treatment in We Make Everything and intends to take legal action.