You are one of the managers of a department store in your community. You have just been informed by your supervisor that one of your employees must be laid off because of company cutbacks. You meet with your managerial colleagues to decide which employee will be chosen. All employees are full-time, and all work the same number of hours. There is one formal rule you have to follow: The reason for laying a person off must be job related. Which of the following employees would you and your colleagues choose? Make the best decision you can with the limited information you are given. Be prepared to discuss the reasoning behind your group's decision.70

 Masha. Age 33, married, with two children, Masha has worked for the company for five years. She loves her job and requires little or no supervision. You have considered giving her a promotion when the opportunity arises. Other people go to Masha when they have questions because she is good at training others. She has been going to school on a part-time basis to get a management degree and will graduate in another year. 

Bob. Age 49, divorced, with one child, Bob has worked with the company for 22 years. He keeps to himself but always gets work done. You never have to give Bob instructions because he knows his job so well. Others in the department call him "Pop" because he seems like a father figure to everyone and is well liked. He really adds a great deal of stability to your department. He does not want to change his job at all because he is happy. You put Bob in charge in your absence.

 Trent. Age 19, single, a Native American, Trent just began working for your company 11 months ago. He went to an accelerated school as a child and started college when he was 15 years old. He has since graduated with a business degree and shows promise of going far in your company. He is already the best salesperson in your department. Most people get along with him well. Because he is new, Trent needs a lot of training, but his sales are worth your extra time. 

Madeline. Age 25, married, and three months pregnant. She transferred to your store only last month but has more than three years' total experience in the company. You have not been very satisfied with her attendance because she is calling in sick a lot. However, she is the only person whom you feel you can give your most difficult tasks to because she is very thorough. She also has received more customer compliments than any other person in your department. 

 

Catrina. Age 40, single, with three children, and is a recovering alcoholic. She fulfills a very necessary function in your department by doing maintenance work, which no one else really has time for. Catrina is efficient and is never late; however, she does not really associate with the others. She has worked with the company for more than 10 years but she cannot read or write; it is likely that this is one of the few places she could find work. 

Antonio. Age 27, single, with no children. Antonio has worked for two years in your department, and in that time, he has won three awards for creating outstanding merchandise displays (the heart and soul of retail). He is your most conscientious worker and keeps your department looking great. You have wondered, though, whether he comes to work under the influence of drugs. Several customers have complained about his poor grooming habits and the language he uses. In the last month, however, he has made significant improvements. 

Use your knowledge of group problem-solving techniques in combination with your understanding of group process to assess whether your group needs the structure of a specific technique or tool. Effective groups and members use techniques and strategies thoughtfully to help them make progress toward their goal depending on what is (or is not) happening in the group.

 

 1. What is the problem facing your group? 

2. Which criteria did your group use to help develop a solution?

 3. How would you assess the balance between structure and interaction in your group?

 4. Before making a decision, how did your group assess the advantages and disadvantages of each option?

 5. Did your group use any specific problem-solving or decision-making technique to help structure the discussion? 

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

1 Problem Facing the Group The problem facing the group is the need to lay off one employee due to c... View the full answer