To: American Apparel Employees
From: Iris
Date: July 23, 2009
RE: Post-Crisis Plan
We would like to address our plan-of-action after our recent company crisis. As I am sure you are aware, United States Immigration officials recently accused American Apparel of employing 1,800 illegal immigrant workers in our factories in downtown Los Angeles, California. This accusation is extremely significant as that number represents a third of our workers.
As employees of American Apparel, this crisis has a profound effect on all of you. Everyone in the company is under a large amount of stress because of the absence of so many former employees. We realize that the temporary shortage of workers puts extra pressure on all of you to keep up with your duties. We would like to extend our appreciation to all of you for your unfaltering dedication to the American Apparel community.
Many of you are probably concerned about the futures of the employees that were laid off. We do not want those people to suffer because of possible administrative mistakes on the company's part. Therefore, we are planning an event in the near future that will raise money for our former employees to help them recover from the loss of their job.
As employees of American Apparel, this crisis has a profound effect on all of you. Everyone in the company is under a large amount of stress because of the absence of so many former employees. We realize that the temporary shortage of workers puts extra pressure on all of you to keep up with your duties. We would like to extend our appreciation to all of you for your unfaltering dedication to the American Apparel community.
Many of you are probably concerned about the futures of the employees that were laid off. We do not want those people to suffer because of possible administrative mistakes on the company's part. Therefore, we are planning an event in the near future that will raise money for our former employees to help them recover from the loss of their job.
We must be prepared for the impact on our company due to these recent events. As you all know, as you all know, the illegally employed workers have been laid off. Our search for replacements will cost the company a great deal of money, as will the fines that American Apparel must pay for illegally employing the workers. The American Apparel name has been negatively affected. This will also cost our company money as our customers may be less inclined to shop at our stores. We must work hard to make improvements within the American Apparel company so that an incident such as this will not happen again.
Many new workers are being hired. In cooperation with the Human Resources Department, the recruitment process has been modified and new questions have been implemented to make sure we do not violate the law any more.
Moreover, in those difficult times, we solemnly ask you to help us to train new employees. Hence, a reward system will be established to compensate those of you who act remarkably to support the corporation and work harder to maintain our production level.
We strongly hope and expect that our customers will enjoy their time in our stores and will share their enthusiasm with you. Thank you for all your understanding and patience in this matter.
Best regards,
Iris
American Apparel Management
NBC GROUP
1.Is the memo’s formatting correct? Does it contain a complete header and message?
Yes
2.Read the memo’s introduction and report its stated:
a.Subject
b.Purpose
c.Main Point
d.Background Information
e.Importance of the Subject
A. Post crisis plan.
B. We would like to address our plan-of-action after our recent company crisis.
C. No direct main point.
D. As I am sure you are aware, United States Immigration officials recently accused American Apparel of employing 1,800 illegal immigrant workers in our factories in downtown Los Angeles, California
E. Many new workers are being hired
3. The memo’s body is divided into what topics?
Issue, Background, Reassurance of staff, Plan of action, conclusion
4.Read the memo’s conclusion and report how it:
a.Thanks the reader
b.Restates the main point
c.Looks to the future
A. yes
B. no.
C. yes
5. What type of memo does this appear to be (Inquiry, Response, Transmittal, Claim, Adjustment, Refusal, other)?
Response/ Adjustment
6.Note any places where the memo does not:
a.Use the “you” style
b.Create an appropriate tone
c.Avoid bureaucratic phrasing
A. The memo does not use the “you” style
B. The memo creates a tone of curt importance, appropriate for the gravity of the situation.
C. The memo avoids bureaucratic phrasing
Claw-Foot Response to American Apparel
1. Is the memo’s formatting correct? Does it contain a complete header and message?
No. No contact info at bottom.
2. Read the memo’s introduction and report its stated:
a. Subject
The current crisis with illegal employment
b. Purpose
To address to crisis
c. Main Point
Not in introduction. No action requested.
d. Background Information
No information on company background.
e. Importance of the Subject
"extremely significant"
3. The memo’s body is divided into what topics?
4. Read the memo’s conclusion and report how it:
a. Thanks the reader
b. Restates the main point
c. Looks to the future
5. What type of memo does this appear to be (Inquiry, Response, Transmittal, Claim, Adjustment, Refusal, other)?
6. Note any places where the memo does not:
a. Use the “you” style
b. Create an appropriate tone
c. Avoid bureaucratic phrasing
American Apparel comment
This memo seems solid overall. I think you could revise your introduction to be more in keeping with TCT's information on pages 457-60. Specifically, although your introduction does discuss its subject and provide background information, it doesn't state its purpose nor the main point that readers should take away. This is important, because as the book points out, most readers will only scan this document, so you want to put the vital parts right up front. You don't want employees wondering how this affects them or what they should do now.