Question

Question text

Identify and Define Problems. Amanda has a co-worker, Sherry, who is vocal about political opinions. Amanda does not agree with Sherry's views. Amanda likes Sherry but some of her recent comments have upset Amanda and made her feel uncomfortable. Amanda puts her energy into telling their co-workers about Sherry's annoying comments. The gossip has gotten back to the boss, Mel. Mel agrees with Sherry's political views. Mel gave Amanda a written reprimand for violating the company's zero tolerance policy. Mel cited that Amanda was bullying Sherry because she was mocking her political views.
Should Amanda have involved her co-workers in her problem solving? Why or Why not?

Select one:

a. Yes, it affects them also.

b. Yes, she should have tried to build a support team against the political talk.

c. No, the issue did not involve others.

d. No, Amanda does not know if her co-workers agree with Sherry's political views

Amanda has a co-worker, Sherry, who is vocal about political opinions. Amanda does not agree with Sherry's views. Amanda likes Sherry but some of her recent comments have upset Amanda and made her feel uncomfortable. Amanda went to her boss, Mel, and expressed her discomfort with Sherry's comments. Mel was empathetic and told Amanda he understood why she was uncomfortable. Mel asked Amanda if she had any input on how he should handle the problem; he did not want to make Amanda more uncomfortable around Sherry, but he did need to visit with Sherry and hear her perspective. Amanda told Mel it would be ok for him to talk to Sherry about her concerns.
Mel accepted input from others to help him solve the problem. Which scenario would be the best approach to solving Amanda's problem using input from others?

Select one:

a. Mel got Amanda and Sherry together and told them they were not to leave the room until they had their problem solved. After an hour, the girls exited the room and told Mel they have solved the problem.

b. After asking his supervisor for advice on how to handle the issue, Mel spoke with Sherry and explained that Amanda was uncomfortable and then he let Sherry share her point of view. With agreement from both employees, Mel mediated a discussion between Sherry and Amanda where they shared their thoughts with each other. In the end, Sherry said she understood how Amanda must feel and agreed to keep politics out of workplace conversations.

c. Mel called both employees into his office and said "Amanda said she does not like it when you talk politics, Sherry. Amanda, Sherry said she did not realize she was upsetting you. So, from now on, Sherry, you are not to talk politics around Amanda." The problem between the employees was solved.

d. Mel spoke with Sherry, alone. He explained that not everyone agrees with their political views. Sherry told Mel that everyone else in the office agreed with them. They laughed and make a couple of jokes about those who don't agree with their politics and they agreed that Sherry would not talk politics when Amanda could hear her.

Question text

Amanda has a co-worker, Sherry, who is vocal about political opinions. Amanda does not agree with Sherry's views. Amanda likes Sherry but some of her recent comments have upset Amanda and made her feel uncomfortable. Amanda went to her boss, Mel, and expressed her discomfort with Sherry's comments. Mel was empathetic and told Amanda he understood why she was uncomfortable. Mel asked Amanda if she had any input on how he should handle the problem; he did not want to make Amanda more uncomfortable around Sherry, but he did need to visit with Sherry and hear her perspective. Amanda told Mel it would be ok for him to talk to Sherry about her concerns.
The best problem-solvers gather all of the information before making a decision of how to best solve the problem. Did Mel demonstrate gathering all of the information before making a decision? Why or why not?

Select one:

a. No, he did not ask other employees if they have heard Sherry discussing politics in an inappropriate manner.

b. No, he did not consult HR about what to do in this situation.

c. Yes, he let Sherry and Amanda share their point of view with him before making a decision.

d. Yes, he let Sherry and Amanda share their point of view, he consulted his supervisor before making a decision

Answer 1

Should Amanda have involved coworkers?

Answer - No,the issue did not involve others.

Amanda felt uncomfortable due to Sherry's comments and hence, no other than thei boss should be included in this conversation.

Reason - Workplace politics is a negative activity. People tend to enjoy the fight among others and the views are also biased on some point or the other. Hence, involving co-workers will only complex the problem instead of solving it.

2. Correct Answer - b

Explanation - Option d is completely wrong as it violates the workplace ethics.

Option C and A does not include the viewpoint form others hence is a wrong option.

Option B includes the viewpoints form the supervisor and also is a relevant way to solve a conflict.

3. Correct Answer - d

Explanation - Option D is the correct answer as it is the only option in which Mel gathers all the data and then takes a decision for the conflict.