CONFRONTING AN EMPLOYEE WITH A CONDUCT ISSUE Tamiko Timid is one of only two wom

Question

CONFRONTING AN EMPLOYEE WITH A CONDUCT ISSUE

Tamiko Timid is one of only two women working in delivery. Recently, she approached Joe and said Fred Staid, delivery team leader, has been bothering her. Specifically, she says he has been telling off-color jokes among some of her male coworkers. While these men do not seem to mind the humor, Tamiko says it is offensive to hear. Tamiko also says Fred has been staring at her. Joe has never witnessed Fred behaving in this fashion, though he is aware that Fred is a “good ol’ boy” and likes to spend time with the other men during break times. Joe has no idea what they talk about.

Both Fred and Sally Ambitious have applied for the vacant customer service team leader position. Joe has not made any decision regarding this position and is, in fact, not sure either individual would be appropriate. Though excellent employees, Fred can be gruff at times and Sally can be pushy. Neither of these qualities seems appropriate for a customer service position. Joe, of course, has not shared his thoughts on this matter to anyone but Jim Talent.

Fred has made some subtle inferences lately that suggest that he believes he is not being fairly treated. He recently reacted when Joe offered praise to Sally for coming up with a creative solution to a tricky customer service problem. Fred said that he could have come up with a similar solution, but that it takes time to think through these problems. Fred has also been critical about Sally’s “recklessness” in making decisions. He complains that Sally is a “newby.” Joe also overheard Fred grumble to a coworker that, “I’ve been around this place long enough; it’s about time I got a break for a change.”

Finally, it is known that Tamiko and Sally are close friends and often go to lunch together. Tamiko has hinted that she would love to have Sally as her boss.

Joe has asked to meet with Tamiko to discuss her concerns further.

Question.

1. What angry or defensive responses might you anticipate from Fred or the other men?

How would you respond?

2. do you feel employees should try to solve confrontations themselves? do you feel they are capable or ambitious enough to do so? How would you communicate to your employees there responsibility to address issues?

Explanation / Answer

1. In this case Joe has to handle a conflict and resolve it. It might create a situation of confrontation when Joe talks to Fred and other people involved in the situation. Now handling a conflict will require direct confrontation by Joe in which Joe will directly express his views and will invite Joe and other men to express their views on the situation.

A direct confrontation will, in all probability, elicit a defensive response from Fred and his male coworkers. They will try and defend the situation and will deny the charges or the allegations against them.

Your response to this possible defensive response should be an open and direct communication of your perceptions about the issues in the conflict. Use of threatening ways and language should be minimal. Lastly, develop a response that will enable the creation of a collaborative approach to solve the situation.

2. It is always a good idea to allow employees solve confrontations themselves. As the employees are the stakeholders who are first hand experiencing the situation, they will be in the best position to find a solution to the conflict. But employees should be allowed to solve confrontations themselves only up to a pre-determined time limit. If now resolution is achieved within the time limit, management should take hold and charge of the situation.

Yes, employees are capable and ambitious and this will propel them to resolve conflicts. Most of the employees would like to work and contribute meaningfully to the organization's objective. They would like to advance their professional life by doing so. So their ambition would propel them to solve conflicts which can become a deterrent to their professional progress.

Employees should be communicated in an open and direct manner. Manager should not demand change in their communication. Rather the communication should have an element of request. Lastly, communicate the importance of the role and responsibility of employees in addressing the issue and how the employees will benefit by solving the confrontations themselves.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.