CONTENTS
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction: The Rules of Engagement 1
PART I: Uncomfortable Workplace Situations
1. Common Managerial and Supervisory Discussions 9
Scenario 1: Mediating Disputes Among Subordinates 9
Scenario 2: Appropriate Responses to Requests to Speak ``Off the Record'' 13
Scenario 3: Promoting a Neophyte into a First-Time Supervisory Role 15
Scenario 4: New Supervisor Syndrome 18
Scenario 5: Inheriting an Employee with Disciplinary Problems 20
Scenario 6: Stopping Attitude Problems in Their Tracks 23
Scenario 7: Advice Before a Holiday Party or an Offsite Event 24
2. Individual Appearance and Uncomfortable Workplace Dilemmas 28
Scenario 8: Bad Hair Days 29
Scenario 9: Inappropriate Dress 32
Scenario 10: Body Piercing and Body Art 33
Scenario 11: Tattoos 34
Scenario 12: Halitosis (Bad Breath) 36
Scenario 13: Body Odor from Lack of Cleanliness 37
Scenario 14: Body Odor from Suspected Medical Reason 39
3. Cultural and Religious Differences 42
Scenario 15: Inappropriate Display of Religious Icons 43
Scenario 16: Supervisor Proselytizes to Subordinates 47
Scenario 17: Offensive Food Preparation and Spicy Smells 49
Scenario 18: Euphemisms like ``Honey,'' ``Sweetie,'' and ``Doll'' 50
Scenario 19: Speaking Foreign Languages in the Workplace 53
Scenario 20: Inappropriate Display of Sexually Explicit Material 55
Scenario 21: Lack of Understanding of Multicultural Differences 58
PART II: Poor Work Habits and Job Performance Concerns
4. Performance Transgressions 63
Scenario 22: Lack of Quality, Detail, or Efficiency 64
Scenario 23: Lack of Quantity or Speed 66
Scenario 24: Substandard Customer Satisfaction 69
Scenario 25: Lack of Sales Production 71
Scenario 26: Failure to Learn New Material During Training 73
Scenario 27: Acts Resulting in a Loss to the Employer 76
Scenario 28: Failure to Follow Through, or ``Dropping the Ball'' 78
5. Policy and Procedure Violations 81
Scenario 29: Failure to Adhere to Safety Rules 82
Scenario 30: Excessive Personal Telephone Calls 84
Scenario 31: Excessive Time Spent on the Internet 86
Scenario 32: Unauthorized Use of Company Equipment and Facilities 89
Scenario 33: Working Unauthorized Overtime 91
Scenario 34: Off-Duty Conduct and Moonlighting 94
6. Excessive Absenteeism and Tardiness 98
Scenario 35: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: ``No Fault'' System 103
Scenario 36: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: ``Excuse-Based'' System 105
Scenario 37: Patterning Excessive, Unscheduled Absence Around Weekends 107
Scenario 38: Rolling Calendar Year Maneuvers 108
Scenario 39: Excessive Tardiness 110
Scenario 40: Exempt Employees Who Choose to Come and Go as They Please 112
7. Lack of Requisite Skills 115
Scenario 41: Inferior Job Knowledge 116
Scenario 42: Lack of Technical Skills 118
Scenario 43: Inadequate Problem-Solving Skills 121
Scenario 44: Substandard Written Expression 123
Scenario 45: Poor Time Management 125
Scenario 46: Lack of Organization and Neatness 128
PART III: Inappropriate Workplace Behavior and Conduct
8. Sexually Offensive Behavior 135
Scenario 47: Foul Language in the Workplace 136
Scenario 48: E-Mail Misuse 139
Scenario 49: Finding Pornography on an Employee's Computer 142
Scenario 50: Bullying 144
Scenario 51: Discriminatory Comments or Racial Epithets 147
Scenario 52: Leering 149
Scenario 53: Sexual Harassment Findings (Reverse Harassment) 152
9. Substandard Communication Skills 156
Scenario 54: Tattletales, Gossipmongers, and Snitches 158
Scenario 55: Whiners and Complainers 161
Scenario 56: Requests for Confidential Conversations from Other Supervisors' Subordinates 163
Scenario 57: Poor Listening Skills 166
Scenario 58: Failure to Communicate Upward 169
Scenario 59: Establishing Effective Staff Meetings 171
10. Personal Style Issues 174
Scenario 60: Suspected Alcoholism or Substance Abuse 174
Scenario 61: Inability to Accept Constructive Criticism 179
Scenario 62: Lack of Sensitivity and Protocol (E-Mail Censuring) 181
Scenario 63: Badgering and Challenging One's Supervisor 183
Scenario 64: Lack of Teamwork and Relationship-Building Skills 186
Scenario 65: Laziness and Lack of Commitment 188
Scenario 66: Blamers and Excuse Makers 191
Scenario 67: Coworker Jealousy and Employees Who Can't Let Go of Their Anger 193
Scenario 68: Supremacists-Arrogance and Superior Attitudes 194
11. Leadership Style Challenges and Career Management Obstacles 197
Scenario 69: Stalled Career Syndrome 198
Scenario 70: Unwillingness to Confront Problems Head-On 201
Scenario 71: Staff Motivation Conversations 204
Scenario 72: Protecting Your Company from Legal Liability (Documentation) 207
Scenario 73: Inability to Provide Constructive Criticism 210
Scenario 74: Handling Group Complaints Wisely 212
Scenario 75: Lack of Diversity Awareness 216
Scenario 76: Lack of Leadership 218
PART IV: Corporate Actions
12. Corporate (Intentional) Actions 225
Scenario 77: Probationary Termination 226
Scenario 78: Administering Disciplinary Warnings 229
Scenario 79: Administering Decision-Making Leaves 231
Scenario 80: Termination for Cause (in Conjunction with Progressive Discipline) 235
Scenario 81: Convincing an Employee to Leave Voluntarily When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on File 237
Scenario 82: Negotiating a Separation Package When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on File 240
13. Corporate (``No Fault'') Actions 244
Scenario 83: Layoff: Position Elimination-LIFO 245
Scenario 84: Layoff: Position Elimination-Lack of Qualifications 247
Scenario 85: Layoff: Position Elimination-Union Bumping Privileges 250
Scenario 86: Layoff: Position Elimination-Department Closure 254
Scenario 87: Layoff: Position Elimination-Plant Closure (WARN Act) 256
Scenario 88: Follow-Up Discussions with Survivors After Layoffs Occur 258
14. Summary Offenses (Immediate Discharge) 262
Scenario 89: Employee Theft 263
Scenario 90: Selling Proprietary Products on the Internet 265
Scenario 91: Time Card Fraud 268
Scenario 92: Threats of Violence in the Workplace 269
Scenario 93: Sexual Harassment 271
Scenario 94: Falsification of Company Records 274
Scenario 95: Insubordination 276
15. Special Circumstances 280
Scenario 96: Welcoming Back Employees Returning from a Stress Leave of Absence 281
Scenario 97: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Isolation 285
Scenario 98: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Suicidal Concerns 288
Scenario 99: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Homicidal Concerns 290
Scenario 100: Terminating Employees Who Are on Investigatory Leave 292
Scenario 101: Verbally Accepting an Employee's Resignation 295
Index 299
