Fred Smith Harvard case Synopsis case Nickles – First female manager in company
ID: 450325 • Letter: F
Question
Fred Smith Harvard case
Synopsis case
Nickles – First female manager in company
Fred dismayed when several of his co workers make sexually explicit and lewd comments about her
No comments made in front of Nickles
Smith ignores comments overhead in the bathroom
Comments are affecting how he works with her
He knows the comments are unprofessional and possibly damaging Assignment question
1. What are Smith’s options and what are the consequences of each
Say nothing and live with both the talk and the behavior
Confront his co-workers and demand a change in their behavior
Tell Nickles about the remark and let her deal with the situation
Report the behavior to upper management
Transfer out of the unit or resign from the company with or without an explanation to his superiors
2. What are the rights or duties – if any – at Stake here?
What principles are involved
3. Can the behavior of Smith’s colleagues be considered sexual harassment?
Why or why not?
4. If you were Fred Smith, what course of action would you take
Explanation / Answer
Answer 1:
Option 1: If Smith doesn't say anything then his behavior is affecting the working environment with her. He is uncomfortable and thus will be hesitating in doing assignment with Nickles which is not good for both employee and organization.
Option 2: This is the feasible solution that one should follow the ‘ouch’ philosophy. Unless he says there, his co-workers would not be knowing that such acts are harming the work environment. At least for the bare minimum. Such remarks will be avoided in from of Smith
Option 3: It will be disheartening for Nickles to know that such remarks are being passed regarding her. It might be possible that her escalation to senior management might create turbulence in company and few of his co-workers are terminated. Moreover, he will be treated as a spy or deceiver among his co-workers.
Option 4: This is one of another potential solution as the drive to have environment which is equal for all genders is to be top down driven. Top management can have 1-1 discussion or communication regarding the change company is going through with equal opportunity without any gender preference.
Option 5: Transferring or resigning will not help the situation as somewhere later another member might be getting effected from the same behavior of the co-workers. Moreover, there is no certainty that in his new role he will not face similar situation.
He should choose the option 2 and if possible go for option 4.
Answer 2: Basic human rights of equality are involved here. It is the duty of each employee to create a right environment to foster better work.
Answer 3: Yes. These will be considered as sexual harassment because this is not the intended work culture organization is striving for. Nickles if known about this lewd comments directly or indirectly has the right to register a complaint against a particular group or specific employees.
Answer 4: Fred should firstly confront his co-workers in a polite manner regarding their behavior. He should discuss about the impact of their comments and remarks. Secondly, he should escalate to his superiors. He might not reveal the name but with his escalation, management can drive the initiative for equal diversity and have multiple communications. This way the culture of company will change as Nickles is First female manager but going forward, company must be aiming to grow without any gender bias.
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