Reference no: EM133023584

Read the following scenario and follow the instructions for completion. Belair EngineeringYour Problem

You will work individually and then discuss your responses as a group.

Put yourself in the role of the department manager in this situation. Focus on the objective. Using your knowledge and personal experience, evaluate the advantages and limitations of each of the five options, which are the only options available to you at this time. Decide which one you would choose, and why.

You were promoted to the role of manager of the quality control department, based on your record in product development. Your team members (five women and nine men) do not question your technical ability, but they are disappointed that you were promoted instead of their colleague Mariella. Last week, the managing director asked you to send a top performer to product development, to help with a special project for a few days. You decided to send Mariella. Late on Friday you told her that you had decided to send her to help with the product development, starting on Monday. Mariella replied, "Why are you picking on me? I like working here. Do you have complaints about me? You said that you had no complaints but that you do not have time to argue, and that Mariella should report to product development on Monday. The product development manager phones you on Monday to ask where Mariella was as she had a tight schedule. You explained that she had not turned up for work in your department either, and offered to send a replacement. Your secretary then told you that Mariellas's husband had just called to say that she was sick and would not be at work for several days. On Wednesday, returning to a meeting from you had left to take a phone call, you hear a member of your team, whose back is turned say 'I didn't know Mariella had such a great voice, winning the karaoke competition in the local pub last night'. For the rest of the meeting, the team avoid eye contact with you. On Friday Mariella comes back to work with a doctor's certificate for four days sickness absence. You know that the staff in your department are waiting to see what you will do.

Your objective

As the new manager. You seem to have alienated one of your best employees and you may be about to damage the confidence of the group in your leadership capabilities. You need to be able to demonstrate to your group, to the managing director and to the other department managers that you are capable of making a success of your new role.

Your Options

Do nothing. The grounds for formal disciplinary action are weak and you could make things much worse by appearing to punish Mariella, even by giving her a reprimand.

Admit that you made a mistake. Explain to Mariella that you chose her because you value her expertise, and maybe you should have discussed this matter with her first. But would this action demonstrate leadership?

Take the first step in the disciplinary procedure. Present the evidence to Mariella in the presence of a witness, put this on her file and give her a formal warning.

Identify who in the team is most likely to be open with you. Engage them discreetly in a confidential discussion to discover more about the hidden group dynamics

Seek help. You are new to this role, and have never had to deal with this kind of issue before. Ask your fellow department manager's advice.