Case Study

Request^[1]

^[1] Turn to page 265 to compare your thoughts with those of the author.

Mr. Big walked into his office yesterday morning and found a special letter in his in-basket. It reads as follows:

Dear Mr. Big:

Yesterday I received a big shock. My boss, Mr. X, told me he was preparing the necessary papers for my dismissal. I was so upset that I hardly remember what else he said.

When I finally got around to asking him why, he told me that I was habitually late for work in the morning, that I had been warned a number of times, and that he would not tolerate lateness for any reason. I hate to go over his head to you, but I am desperate. It is true that I'm late about fifteen minutes two days a week, but let me give you some background.

I was hired three years ago, after my husband died. I am forty and am the sole support of my three children, the oldest of whom is fourteen. My reason for being late is that I must get my three children off to school. It's not easy. This whole thing never bothered Ms. Y when I was in her department. In fact, she often complimented me and simply asked me to do the best I could about my lateness.

The company has been good to me, and in appreciation I am really dedicated to this job. I work faster and more accurately and waste less time than anyone else in the department, despite the fact that I never receive credit and am not told how I am doing. I often work through coffee breaks and even part of my lunch hour to make up any time I owe the firm because of occasional lateness.

Would you please review the situation for me?

Sincerely,

Jane Pitts

Assuming you are Mr. Big, how would you deal with this problem? It appears that Mr. X may not be practicing the five irreplaceable foundations. Should he be reminded? Should you intervene in behalf of Jane Pitts? Outline the steps you would take.