Case Application 2‐A
SEEDS OF CHANGE AT GROWER’S CHOICE
Following an incident that involved a manager making unauthorized accommodations for a disabled employee (for details, see Case Application 1‐A: Grower’s Choice), Alonzo Nguyen, HR Director at Grower’s Choice, a growing regional food store chain, realized that his views of the role of HR were stuck firmly in the 1980s and were causing problems.

Alonzo had considered taking legal action against the manager and disabled employee, but the lawyer advised Alonzo and Harold Parker, the CEO, that not only should they drop their legal threats but they were also probably in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for not accommodating the employee’s disability in the first place. The lawyer explained that Grower’s Choice had outgrown their HR policies and procedures and needed to get their act together quickly. He also said that failure to modernize would cause continued problems complying with legal requirements and a host of other difficulties. He advised them to get help in aligning HR policies and practices with organizational strategy immediately. This was a problem because Grower’s Choice had no formal strategy, depending instead on the practices and values of the family that started the company 40 years earlier.

Working with consultants, Alonzo, Harold, and a committee of company officers and employees hammered out a statement of values and mission statement designed to guide their organizational strategy and update of the HR department.

GROWER’S CHOICE MISSION
We are committed to the sustainable growth of our organization, employees, and communities by providing our customers with fresh, healthy food and becoming everyone’s market of choice.

GROWER’S CHOICE VALUES
Grower’s Choice strives to be a valued part of the community by:

Selling only fresh, high‐quality produce, meat, and groceries from sustainable sources.
Valuing and developing our friendly and dedicated employees.
Providing customers with fair prices, clean stores, efficient service, and the highest ethical standards.
Giving back to the community with our time and resources.
Using all resources wisely and providing a fair return to our Using all resources wisely and providing a fair return to our investors.
The consultants congratulated Alonzo and Harold on completing the mission and values, but explained that the real work was just beginning.

1.If Grower’s Choice strategic mission includes rapidly increasing the number of stores, explain the implications this has for the HR department.
2.How should Grower’s Choice mission and values statements influence Alonzo as he restructures the HR department?