Human Relations in Organizations: Applications and Skill Building 8th Edition by Robert Lussier

Exercise 39

Supervisor Susan's Human Relations
Peter has been working for York Bakery for about three months now. He has been doing an acceptable job until this week. Peter's supervisor, Susan, has called him in to discuss the drop in performance. ( Note: Susan's meeting with Peter and/or a meeting held by Tim with
Susan and Peter can be role-played in class.)
SUSAN: "Peter, I called you in here to talk to you about the drop in the amount of work you completed this week. What do you have to say?"
PETER : "Well, I've been having a personal problem at home."
SUSAN : "That's no excuse. You have to keep your personal life separate from your job.
Get back to work, and shape up or ship out."
PETER : (Says nothing, just leaves.)
Susan goes to her boss, Tim.
SUSAN : "Tim, I want you to know that I've warned Peter to increase his performance or he will be fired."
TIM : "Have you tried to resolve this without resorting to firing him?"
SUSAN : "Of course I have."
TIM : "This isn't the first problem you have had with employees. You have fired more employees than any other supervisor at York."
SUSAN : "It's not my fault if Peter and others do not want to do a good job. I'm a supervisor, not a babysitter."
TIM : "I'm not very comfortable with this situation. I'll get back to you later this afternoon."
SUSAN : "See you later. I'm going to lunch."
Answer the following questions. Then in the space between questions, state why you selected that answer.
Assume you are in Tim's position. How would you handle this situation?