Lesson 13 Activity

Many people have obligations that can conflict with their profession. One of the major conflicts that human resources departments have to deal with is the conflict between work life and family responsibilities. Children and elderly family members can require extensive time from a worker. This time has a fairly large chance of conflicting with work time. The worker then must make a decision: do I take time if I am unable to find someone to fill in for me at home?

The case presented here revolves around Joe. Joe is chronically late and exhibits extensive absenteeism on Mondays and Fridays. The fabrication plant, seeking to avoid a mandatory overtime policy, chose to tighten up on attendance policies. Workers who were chronically late and / or absent were given warnings. Those who did not shape up would be subjected to having their employment terminated. Joe received a warning and, upon being absent again, is now being targeted by his supervisor for termination.

The issue here, however, is that a snowstorm has crippled the area. While some businesses, including the fabrication plant, remained open, the school system has closed. This results in many parents having to take time in order to watch their kids if alternative supervision is not found. Joe called in (early) to let his supervisor know that he would not be able to make it in. The supervisor believed otherwise, and this resulted in the supervisor contacting HR to begin termination proceedings for Joe.

Joe's chronic lateness should have been addressed long before this event happened. There will always be workers who exhibit negative traits. However, a supervisor who lets such negative traits go on for extended periods of time is at fault as well. It is wrong to assume that there is no reason for Joe to be chronically late. Insufficient information exists that would allow for a more precise decision. For example, what policies exist that would eliminate this kind of event from ever being a problem? Does...