Each answer has 5 points to be made meaning that there are 15 points for the total exercise. Those points will be multiplied by 2 to get a possible maximum of 30 to be divided by 3 to get a mark out of 10. For instance: Question #1 asks you to list, describe and explain the various problem solving methods that Nick could use. There are 5 such methods. Question #2 asks you to describe the impact of Nick not making a decision. There are at least 4 that are obvious and 5 or 6 if you analyze the situation. Question #3 is asking you to list and describe the issues in terminating Calvin that need to be considered. There are 5 "issues" that should be examined carefully.

WE CONNECTIONS: MANAGING EMPLOYEE RELATIONS WEC The Underperformer Calvin laughed. He said, Oh, I mean it. On some level Calvin Brooks rushed toward his desk, frantically look- at least. But this analysis has been dragging on for so long that it has become absolutely painful to do. I must have ing around him. As he slipped off his jacket and turned on his laptop, he said to the woman in the next cubicle, "Hey, sick of it. I know he'll expect it to be perfect since it has stared at the data for 20 hours over the last few days. I'm Marcie. Nick hasn't been around here, has he?" taken so much time, so now I just want to get it over with." Marcie finished what she was typing and then looked Everybody wants that, Cal. So do it already." up and said, Actually, he has already been by looking for Cal nodded. I will. Today. First, just let me check my you, Cal. He looked pretty mad when he couldn't find you. email. I was waiting to hear from a couple of people. It wasn't the best day to come in a little late." Calvin and Marcie Finnegan were junior software en- Serial Procrastination gineers working on the same project at WE Connections. Both in their twenties, they had joined the company six Marcie shook her head, annoyed. That's always where you months prior, straight out of school. start. Email leads you to Instagram, where you stay until Cursing under his breath, Cal remarked, Man. I was break. When you come back, you make a couple of calls, hoping he would be tied up with other things, and not then it's lunch time. In the afternoon, you walk around thinking about my stuff. I'm still not done the analysis he looking busy, but really just chatting with people. No won- asked for." der you never get your work done, Cal. You are a serial She shrugged. You've got to know he isn't going to for- procrastinator." get. That report was due a week ago. The man is tired of Offended, Cal said, Hey! What's with you? Why are waiting. Why don't you just finish the dang thing?" you on my back all of a sudden? You're not my boss." "I meant to. Other things keep coming up. I'll definitely She replied, That's true. But I'm on this project, too. finish it today." Calvin nodded determinedly. And whenever someone doesn't do their part, it hurts other One of Marcie's eyebrows went up. "You've said that people. Paula needs your analysis to write some code. And every day for the last week. I'm starting to doubt that you I need that code for what I'm doing next. Now you're going really mean it." to be messing me up." Cal made a face. C'mon. Who are you trying to kid? he likes me. I'll be fine. That reminds me. I'm going to You're not sitting here twiddling your thumbs waiting for have to take a quick peek at my email. Someone said they me. You have lots of work to do." were going to send me a funny golfing video. If it's good, I'll send it to Nick. He loves that kind of thing. That'll get Domino Effect him in a good mood again." Marcie replied angrily, What do you know about my workload? I have a work plan, and when someone like you DISCUSSION QUESTIONS doesn't do what they're supposed to, my plan goes out the 1. What discipline, if any, should Nick impose on Calvin? window. And when you make me late, I'm making some- How should due process be ensured with regards to one else late. Sure, it's true that I have lots to do. But the any discipline that is imposed on Calvin? part you're holding up is important, and I sure as heck don't want to spend the next few weekends working nonstop to 2. What impact will there be in both the short term and catch us up just because you can't get your act together." long term if Nick does not discipline Calvin? "Fine! I won't check my email. You happy?" Cal closed 3. If disciplining Calvin does not lead to satisfactory per- the open window on his laptop with a flourish. formance, would just cause dismissal be warranted, or Marcie took a breath, and replied, Not really. Listen, should WEC pay reasonable notice" or compensation Cal. You're a nice guy. But this is the third report you've in lieu of notice to sever the employment relationship? handed in late in the last couple of months. Nick is really Explain the rationale behind your decision. running out of patience. What if he turfs you? You and I In the next installment of the WE Connections story (at started here together, and I really don't want you to go any- the end of Chapter 12), an overworked employee experi- where, you know?" ences the health and safety implications of a stressful work Cal laughed, and said, I'm not going anywhere, situation. Marcie. Nick gets a little mad at me sometimes, but I know