Problem
Bob Long was hired by County Hospital as Supervisor of Engineering and Maintenance. Although well-experienced in his field, this was his first management job. Soon after Bob's arrival, a maintenance job came open. This was an important job because there were a number of preventive maintenance activities that had to be performed, and Bob recognized the need to fill this job as soon as possible. Bob asked Human Resources to find some candidates for him to interview.
Bob's manager, General Services Director Jack Parsons, chose to sit in on the interviews, giving as his reason Bob's newness to management. Jack indicated that because Bob had never recruited before he should be assisted in the process.
Bob and Jack agreed that given the entry-level nature of the job, they need not look for experience but instead should look for an apparent willingness to learn. Together they interviewed five candidates. Of the five, two seemed to be reasonable choices. One of these, a young man named Simon, was already employed by the hospital as a kitchen helper in Food Service. The other, a young man named Kelsey, had not worked recently, but had several months' experience in the custodial department of a school.
Bob expressed his desire to take on Simon from Food Service because he appeared to have the aptitude and ability and showed a strong desire to better himself, but Jack disagreed. He told Bob he could do the hiring the next time a job opened and made the decision to hire Kelsey.
As the probation period progressed, it became increasingly clear to Bob that Kelsey was not shaping up as a satisfactory employee. Even extending every benefit of the doubt, which he did because Kelsey was the boss's choice, he could conclude only that Kelsey was not going to work out in the long run.
Just before the end of Kelsey's probationary period, Bob went to see Jack. He had kept Jack advised all along, so it was no surprise to Jack when Bob said they should cut Kelsey loose and start over.
"Okay," Jack agreed, "let Kelsey go."
Bob hesitated, wondering briefly if he should say anything, then finally said to Jack, "I don't believe I should let him go. I didn't hire him."
"He's your employee," Jack said. "Get rid of him."
Task
i. Did Jack dodge his responsibilities by ordering Bob to get rid of the unsatisfactory employee? Why or why not?
ii. Discuss two additional ways in which this situation could have been handled more equitably.
iii. What effect might this incident have on the future relationship between Bob Long and Jack Parsons?