Case Study Questions: 1.If you were in Ted’s place, what other strategies might you employ in dealing with Margret?
Case # 1: Managing Your Boss’s Moods and Emotions Ted is a forensic accountant at the law firm of Chambers, Bergweitz, and Rowe. He has worked there for 10 years and is called in on cases when his unique skills are needed by the different attorneys and partners. He reports to Richard, who has been his boss for 8 years. Richard is responsible for all of the specialized personnel used on cases, not just the forensic accountants. He has been a decent boss—fair with clear standards for performance and what it takes to get promotions, raises, and bonuses. However, Richard suffered a heart attack last month and is going to be taking early retirement in order to take care of his health. As a result, the specialists under Richard are now being divided out to the different department heads they serve until a replacement can be hired in a few months (as Richard is on medical leave, he can’t be replaced in his position for legal reasons at this time). Ted now reports to Margret, the head of the divorce department, and finds her a difficult boss to work for on most days. She always seems to start her day in a bad mood, where she denies any subordinates’ requests or finds that the requests (as well as requestor) are stupid if she is approached before 11 a.m. Whereas Richard had a clear process for assigning cases to the accountants, Margret seems to let her emotions guide her choices. For instance, when Seeru, another forensic accountant, was late getting Margret a report because he had to get an emergency crown repair, Margret was angry with him. She seemingly retaliated by dumping three cases on him in one week and left Ted with nothing to do. She also required Seeru to complete his analysis of all the cases by Monday, thus requiring him to work the weekend. However, when Ted and Seeru’s work helped a client get a large divorce settlement, and thus the firm a large cut of the settlement, she was pleased and gave both of them Friday off on a whim so they could enjoy a long weekend. Additionally, Ted has found her sobbing in her office on more than one occasion when he has gone to get files or clarification on cases from her. To make matters worse, Margret often screams at her assistant and other employees outside of her office, which disturbs those in nearby offices and cubicles. Margret’s emotionally charged behaviors are very disruptive to Ted and Seeru’s work. It is hard for them to concentrate when she is yelling, and they do not feel comfortable working in their cubicles because they never know when she is going to have an outburst that makes it impossible to have a phone conversation or to have clients, clients’
Case Study Questions:
1.If you were in Ted’s place, what other strategies might you employ in dealing with
Margret?
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