How Would You Handle This Petition?
Betty Smith, a unit clerk, has come to see you, the nurse-manager of the medical unit, to complain of flagrant discriminatory practices against female employees of University General Hospital. She alleges that women are denied promotional and training opportunities comparable to those made available to men. She shows you a petition with 35 signatures supporting her allegations. Ms. Smith has threatened to forward this petition to the administrator of the hospital, the press, and the Department of Labor unless corrective action is taken at once. Being a woman yourself, you have some sympathy for Ms. Smith’s complaint. However, you believe overall that employees at University General are treated fairly regardless of their sex.
Ms. Smith, a fairly good employee, has worked on your unit for 4 years. However, she has been creating problems lately. She has been reprimanded for taking too much time for coffee breaks. Personnel evaluations that recommend pay raises and promotions are due next week.
Instructions:
1. Read the scenario above and answer the following questions:
a. How should you handle this problem?
b. Is the personnel evaluation an appropriate time to address the petition?
c. Outline your plan and explain your rationale
2. Your paper should be:
o Typed 1-2 pages, according to APA style for margins, formatting and spacing standards.
o Typed into a Microsoft Word document, save the file, and then upload the file
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor responsible for creating college assignments and evaluating student performance, I have experience in handling various situations in an organization. In this scenario, Betty Smith, a unit clerk, has complained about discriminatory practices against female employees at University General Hospital. This answer will shed light on how to handle this situation, whether the personnel evaluation is an appropriate time to address the petition, and my plan to resolve this problem.
a. How should you handle this problem?
The first step in handling this problem is to listen to Betty Smith’s grievances carefully. As a nurse-manager, it is essential to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and equally. Therefore, I will investigate the allegations made by Betty Smith and try to determine the root cause of the problem. I will review the policies and procedures of the hospital and confirm whether these policies comply with equal employment opportunities. I will also discuss this issue with other female employees to get their perspective and see if they have faced similar issues.
b. Is the personnel evaluation an appropriate time to address the petition?
I believe that personnel evaluations should not be an appropriate time to address the petition. The personnel evaluation is a performance review, and it should focus only on the employee’s work performance. The petition regarding discrimination against female employees requires a broader investigation, including interviews with other employees and a review of employment policies and procedures. Therefore, the personnel evaluation, which only focuses on an individual’s work performance, is not an appropriate time to address the petition.
c. Outline your plan and explain your rationale.
My plan to resolve this problem is to conduct a thorough investigation into Betty Smith’s allegations. I will review the hospital’s policies and procedures, interview female employees and analyze their experiences, and consult the human resource department of the hospital to ensure compliance with equal employment opportunities. If the investigation reveals that female employees are indeed being treated unfairly, I will work with the hospital administration to develop policies that address these issues. I will also educate all employees on the importance of creating a supportive work environment for all employees.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, handling this situation requires a detailed investigation into the allegations made by Betty Smith. As a nurse-manager, it is crucial to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their gender. I believe that resolving this issue will require a comprehensive approach that examines the policies and procedures of the hospital, consults the human resource department for compliance, and educates employees on the importance of creating a supportive work environment.
