Problem
Directions:
Read the case study below and them answer the questions below.
Alexandre is the owner of a successful cleaning and home-organizing company in the suburbs outside of a major city. The company has been around for a few years now, and has slowly grown into an operation of eight employees working throughout the week. Business has been steady, but for some reason, morale seems a little low lately. Alexandre has grown concerned about the well-being of the company's employees and fears that any major internal problems could hurt the company in subtle ways, including its bottom line.
Calling the two shift managers into the office, Alexandre soon hears what the problem is. "Yeah, I've been giving the easier jobs to Jackie and Phillip lately. You know, because they're older and slower," Mario explains, innocently. Alexandre hears from the other shift manager, Lucinda, that she has been grouping the teams together by which islands in the Caribbean they come from. And when Mario admits that he has been sending some of the company's younger and lighter-skinned employees to certain customers because, "Well, you know how customers can be in those areas," Alexandre realizes that there are serious internal problems afoot and quick action is needed to get ahead of any major repercussions.
Alexandre understands that the managers are only human, and that it is the owner's job to set expectations in the workplace. Later that week, an expert in workplace discrimination is brought into the office. "Team, I have some great news," Alexandre tells the employees of the company at their weekly team meeting. "My friend Carlos will be joining us shortly for some required training. Don't worry, no one's in trouble and I think you'll get a lot out of it." With that, Carlos enters the room, turns on his projector, and begins his presentation.
Task
i. Which prejudices will Alexandre need to address for morale to improve and for the business to run smoothly again?
ii. Should Alexandre fire (or at least discipline) the shift managers Mario and Lucinda? Explain.
iii. Let's say you have been called in as the expert, Carlos. After you turn on your projector, what will you communicate to the group? What steps will you take? On what principles will you base your presentation?