Question $4(10$ marks$)$

Case study : Job Analysis and Maternity Leave: Calming the Boss's and Co$-$workers' Nerves

Maternity leave occurs when a female employee, upon giving birth to a child, takes time off to care for the child. This leave can be either paid or unpaid and is usually limited to six weeks. However, the new mother may decide to take up to six months away from work, though this is almost always without pay. Are there any negative repercussion associated with taking time off to care for an infant? Apparently, the answer is "yes." Female employees who participate in maternity leave sometimes feel overwhelmed with having to deal with the work that has to be absorbed from the individual who is taking maternity leave.

In extreme cases, these individuals may feel "put upon" or "betrayed" by the once committed individual who is now taking "time off." Of courses, anyone who has dedicated themselves to caring for an infant themselves to caring for an infant understands very well that such responsibility is a $24-$hour d day, $7$ days a week endeavour.

So$,$ what can an individual who is planning to take maternity leave do to ease the tension and misperceptions among her colleagues and supervisors? It is suggested that the pregnant individual create a detailed job analysis that includes which tasks or projects can wait until she returns from maternity leave. Though there are many other steps can be taken to ease the transition between work and maternity leave, the job analysis will help break down and possibly prevent the "maternal wall" from being a barrier to the long$-$term retention and utilization of a valued employee.

$4\mathrm{.}1$ Assume that you $($male or female$)$ were going to take a $6-$week leave of absence from your job $5$ months from now. How do you think your supervisor and co$-$workers would react to the news? Explain.

$(2$ marks$)$

$4\mathrm{.}2$ Do a brief job analysis of your current $($or past job$),$ including a job description and job specification $/$ qualifications, which tasks, duties, or responsibilities could you finish before you leave of absence$?$ Which could you delegate to co$-$workers? Which would have to wait until you return from the leave of absence$?$

$(4$ marks$)$

$4$

$4\mathrm{.}3$ Assume that you received a lot of negative comments from your supervisor and co$-$workers when you "announce" that you'd be taking a $6-$week of absence$.$

How could that make you feel? Would it have any impact on your commitment to the organization?

$(4$ marks$)$