A programme to develop the leadership skills of team leaders at
GlaxoSmithKline has helped save line managers’ time.
The development programme, introduced in October 2000 at the firm’s
Maidenhead site, has given team leaders increased responsibility for staff.
Asif Khan, people development adviser at GSK, explained that team leaders
can now carry out risk assessments, appraisals, holiday and absence management
and disciplinary procedures, which were previously the responsibility of
first-line managers.
The four- or five-week programme has been staggered over a 12-month period
and gives participants the chance to do work-based assignments.
Khan said, "The terms are gapped so that staff can practise the skills
they have learnt in the classroom."
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So far, 30 team leaders and seven first-line managers have entered the
programme.
The programme has also helped save the company more than £500,000 by cutting
the number of temporary workers at the site and redeploying permanent staff,
depending on the demands of various production lines.
