Problem
Review these scenarios and discuss in a paragraph or two how you might handle each situation as a manager. Also, address any legal issues raised in these scenarios and how they might affect your strategy for handling each situation.
I. You are the sales department manager at an upscale store. Your boss has talked to you about the appearance of some of your sales clerks- particularly Alex. Alex is sporting on his forearm a new, large tattoo of a devil eating a rat. You agree with your boss that some customers might find it offensive and that it should somehow be covered up. You need to talk to Alex.
II. Sidney has recently been missing work. She tends to call in at the last minute, and there seems to be a pattern developing of Mondays and Fridays. Sidney has been in rehabilitation in the past for alcohol abuse. You need to talk to Sidney.
III. You are the director of human resources. You asked your benefits administrator, Morgan, to immediately send new benefit information to your boss for her review. The next day, you are chewed out by your boss for not sending her the information. You look bad. You decide to talk to Morgan.
IV. You are a payroll manager supervising 25 people. Your team works in close quarters with little physical separation between work stations. Drew is one of your best performers, yet you have received complaints that Drew tends to sprinkle conversations with rather crude and vulgar references. This is not a team of saints, but some have complained that Drew is crossing the line. You need to talk to Drew.