XYZ Airlines has had a financially disastrous year. Sales have plummeted by more than 40%. Cut-throat competition, Covid-19 pandemic and the terrorist threat have savaged its business. Every department is under enormous pressure to cut costs and reduce headcount. Employees have extremely heavy workloads and are being pushed to their limits. XYZ Airlines' marketing department, in particular, is under pressure to improve its performance. A key member of the marketing team is the customer service manager, Jamey Bond. James is regarded as competent and hardworking. However, over the past few months, Jamey has been taking more and more days off from work because of illness. Initially, other members of the department were sympathetic, but Jamey's absences have become a source of discontent as his colleagues have had to do his work as well as their own. Stan Cole, the marketing manager, is becoming increasingly frustrated with Jamey. Under considerable pressure from management, he is stretched to the limit Stan's subordinates have started asking, `Why is Jamey always sick? Why does James have to go to the doctor all the time? Why do I have to do Jamey' work?' Jame.s has become evasive when approached, simply stating that is suffering from a particularly severe form of shingles. Resentment has continued to increase and rumours have begun that James has AIDS. Mauren Lynn, XYZ Airline senior customer service representative and one of the department's top performers, has heatedly told Stan that she and several others are going to quit if something is not done about Jamey. At breaking point, Stan has decided to talk the problem through with Lindsey Camp, XYZ Airlines’ HR manager. a) If you were the HR manager, how would you handle this situation? What advice would you give to Stan? What would you do about James? Explain. b) Determine the ethical issues, if any, are raised in this case.

Understanding Business
12th Edition
ISBN:9781259929434
Author:William Nickels
Publisher:William Nickels
Chapter1: Taking Risks And Making Profits Within The Dynamic Business Environment
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CE
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

XYZ Airlines has had a financially disastrous year. Sales have plummeted by more than 40%. Cut-throat competition, Covid-19 pandemic and the terrorist threat have savaged its business. Every department is under enormous pressure to cut costs and reduce headcount. Employees have extremely heavy workloads and are being pushed to their limits. XYZ Airlines' marketing department, in particular, is under pressure to improve its performance. A key member of the marketing team is the customer service manager, Jamey Bond. James is regarded as competent and hardworking. However, over the past few months, Jamey has been taking more and more days off from work because of illness. Initially, other members of the department were sympathetic, but Jamey's absences have become a source of discontent as his colleagues have had to do his work as well as their own. Stan Cole, the marketing manager, is becoming increasingly frustrated with Jamey. Under considerable pressure from management, he is stretched to the limit Stan's subordinates have started asking, `Why is Jamey always sick? Why does James have to go to the doctor all the time? Why do I have to do Jamey' work?' Jame.s has become evasive when approached, simply stating that is suffering from a particularly severe form of shingles. Resentment has continued to increase and rumours have begun that James has AIDS. Mauren Lynn, XYZ Airline senior customer service representative and one of the department's top performers, has heatedly told Stan that she and several others are going to quit if something is not done about Jamey.

At breaking point, Stan has decided to talk the problem through with Lindsey Camp, XYZ Airlines’ HR manager.

a) If you were the HR manager, how would you handle this situation? What advice would you give to Stan? What would you do about James? Explain.

b) Determine the ethical issues, if any, are raised in this case.

Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Recruitment
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, management and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Understanding Business
Understanding Business
Management
ISBN:
9781259929434
Author:
William Nickels
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Management (14th Edition)
Management (14th Edition)
Management
ISBN:
9780134527604
Author:
Stephen P. Robbins, Mary A. Coulter
Publisher:
PEARSON
Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis: A Pract…
Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis: A Pract…
Management
ISBN:
9781305947412
Author:
Cliff Ragsdale
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Management Information Systems: Managing The Digi…
Management Information Systems: Managing The Digi…
Management
ISBN:
9780135191798
Author:
Kenneth C. Laudon, Jane P. Laudon
Publisher:
PEARSON
Business Essentials (12th Edition) (What's New in…
Business Essentials (12th Edition) (What's New in…
Management
ISBN:
9780134728391
Author:
Ronald J. Ebert, Ricky W. Griffin
Publisher:
PEARSON
Fundamentals of Management (10th Edition)
Fundamentals of Management (10th Edition)
Management
ISBN:
9780134237473
Author:
Stephen P. Robbins, Mary A. Coulter, David A. De Cenzo
Publisher:
PEARSON