Shark Tank HR Issues and Solutions: A Report

Strategic Significance of HR to Shark Tank

Shark Tank, an organization that specializes in an assortment of aquariums focused on home and offices, is a well-known organization in the Greater Toronto Area. Kevin McLeary is the sole private owner of organization with Kevin and his organization rising to fame a decade ago with a revolutionary aquarium that utilizes flashy lights and a self-cleaning system so there is little maintenance. The first tank was specifically designed to hold a “Nurse Shark”. Over the last decade, Shark Tank has now expanded to all types of aquariums.

Originally Shark Tank was well known due to the quality of their tanks and the lavish lifestyle that Kevin McLeary was living since its initial success. Kevin was an entrepreneur who struggled to find success after multiple failed organizations and finally he struck it big with Shark Tank. Kevin now goes around advertising himself as “the Shark” and loves to show off his creative lifestyle that includes taking trips around the world, hanging out with celebrities, and purchasing expensive items.

However, over the last year, Kevin and Shark Tank have received negative publicity about how its organization treats its workers. While the Shark Tank brand is still strong, sales have significantly decreased due to the negative publicity about how Shark Tank has been treating its workers. Glassdoor reviews have hit an all time low at a 1.2 rating, turnover has increased significantly, former staff have stated there is a lack of diversity and no room for advancement if you can’t be a part of the “Old Boys Club”, a work stoppage has occurred with claims of an “us vs. them” mentality taking place, and a recent headline in the news about a workplace injury at it’s manufacturing facility.

Kevin does not like the negative publicity about how the company is treating its staff. This has not only impacted his sales, but he has noticed his Instagram following has decreased significantly as well and his celebrity friends seem to be “busy”. Kevin always assumed that if you were lucky enough to get in and work for Shark Tank, you should count your blessings.

Over the years, Kevin, who has always disliked consulting with Human Resources, but with the recent criticism, feels he has no other option. Toby Henderson and Holly Flax are the two Human Resource Clerks. They do a great job managing the administration pieces of Human Resources, however, Kevin does not like when they have other input as he feels it’s always going to hold his organization back from progressing, and therefore, doesn’t allow Human Resources a seat at the table. Today though, he has asked HR for some support and has tasked them sit with him to hear a “Pitch” from different Human Resource Organizations that can help certify him, his HR Professionals, and Manager in different areas of Human Resources. Kevin is inviting these organizations to sit in his Shark Tank and prove to him how their Human Resource Organization can assist him and his company with the ongoing Human Resources issues.

HR Issues at Shark Tank

1. Human Resource Planning Kevin relies on a if I can put a name to the face” then I know you’ve got the skills I’m looking for. Kevin doesn’t need to review employee files and his managers will know the skills people have. He’s not spending money on a “Human Resource Information System” and all the information can be thrown into an employee file.

 2. Job Analysis & Design – Kevin has Leaders and followers, or what he calls “Sharks and Fishes”. The fishes will do what they’re told, and the Sharks tell them how to do it. There’s no need to have a Job Description or Specification for his company positions. 

3. Diversity Management – Kevin believes he’s one of the accepting owners in the world. He knows that the line workers in his organization probably reflect Toronto’s demographics. However, Kevin can only put people in “Shark” positions if he trusts them. Most of Kevin’s “Sharks” are family and friends he has known for years and will talk about work even when they go to company paid Toronto Maple Leaf games.

 4. Recruitment Kevin believes that if you want to work for Shark Tank you will find your way to the organization and make an impression. Recently people have not been coming in as much due to the building requiring a pass but if you’re able to sneak by security, you’ve a better chance of getting a job.

 5. Selection – Kevin says it takes 30 seconds to make an impression. All the busy Sharks in his organization must follow a rule, talk about how great the company is and ask them, what can they do for it? You can ask anything else that you want but if they don’t remind you of having the strong drive that Kevin has within the first five minutes, tell them they don’t have the job.

 6. Training & Development Kevin only wants people with experience that can do the job. On day one, it’s “Sink or Swim”.

 7. Performance Management Kevin doesn’t believe in performance appraisals or anything like that. If you’re great, him and his Sharks will know you’re great. 

8. Compensation Kevin makes sure that his “Sharks” get paid very well. He wants them to know they have made it and deserve what they’re getting. The “Fishes” get paid very little and must strive to become a Shark, which is what will keep them motivated to continue working there. 

9. Employee Benefits – Kevin offers benefits after employees suggested he put them in but has decided to purchase the most basic package out there and save on costs. Kevin has heard that they are not enough for some people as they are individual plans, but shouldn’t they be grateful to have anything? 

10. Employee Relations - Kevin believes you should know how to do the job and any screw-ups then consider yourself unemployed. He decides what happens in the organization and you better follow it. 

11. Union-Management Framework – Kevin has become really upset that his workers have been raided by a Labour Organization and now they have voted to become unionized. Kevin did everything to tell his staff not to unionize but the government ordered a vote. Kevin does not know anything about this and needs to learn quickly.

 12. Health & Safety – Recently an employee has had their arm amputated at the worksite and it made big headlines. Media reports have stated that this could have been avoided with proper Health & Safety protocols. Despite being in the new, Kevin is still concerned about further Health & Safety policies because he needs his team to cut corners and get stuff done fast.

Your Written Reportshould include the following:
1. Title Page 
2. Executive Summary 
3. Introduction
4. Conclusion
5. Reference to at least one HR Organization that provides training & development to organizations 
6. Body-
a. Strategic significance to the organization

b. Various steps that need to be taken
c. Different types of items within your topic and usefulness of these items

d. Major approaches that need to be taken
e. Evaluating the effectiveness of the topic assigned