HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN AN ORGANIZATION PRELIMS EXAM (Authors Note: The following text has been lifted directly from

its original source. Questions have been added whenever seen fit. Names and other events have been retained.) ...If you think what youre doing is wrong, you can always stop and turn back - Old Azerbaijan ProverbOFF RAMP, OR DEAD END? Cheryl Jamis leaned back in her Italian leather chair and gazed out her corner office window, watching glints from the setting sun strike the Mersey River. In just a few moments, she would meet with Marcus Addison, her boss, and she did not know what to do. Should she resign? Should she force the companys hand by issuing some grand ultimatum? Or should she leave it all be for now and assume some opportunity might arise down the road that would let her spend more time with her daughter, Emma? After all, she still loved her job. At least she would finally get some clarity about the promotion Marcus had mentioned several times. Then she would know what her options were. Her stomach knotted as she thought about this past weekend, when she had narrowly averted another child care crisis. With a rare opportunity, she had some time off from work and spend quality time with Emma. Mummy, I wish you didnt work, Emma had sighed. We would be together all the time. I need to work, darling. Someday youll understand. The experience had made Cheryl realize how much she missed her little girl. When Monday morning came, she vaguely resented leaving Emma in the company of her grumbling granny, who had come up from London to take care of her until the nanny came back. Cheryl sighed and swiveled the chair back and forth with her feet. Ah, well, she thought, everything would get back on track soon. Or not. A pity that the child care panic hadnt brought her any closer to a decision about her future. She started to think back to how she had come to this pass after spending the better part of a decade at a company she was so passionate about. THE JUGGLER Cheryl was the top account manager in a boutique advertising agency when Copro courted and won her. A respected casual-wear retailer and the sole marketer of the sought-after Smitty jeans brand, Copro hired Cheryl to run an in-house marketing team and help launch a new clothing line to appeal to younger, hipper customers. For her part, Cheryl was glad to get away from the dizziness of agency work, and she welcomed the status that came with heading up a group of talented designers, writers and media specialists.

The marriage was a happy one. Cheryls ambition, ideas, energy and enthusiasm were just what the marketing department needed. After one of her televisions spots featuring a sexy young woman riding bareback in her new Smitty jeans won a coveted Olie award, a beaming Marcus had presented her with a bottle of champagne from Derek Lee, the CEO. Keep up the great work, Cheryll. the note had said. Cheryl kept the flattering message to herself but made sure she shared the credit and the champagne with her team. Cheryl had been promoted to marketing director while being pregnant with Emma. At the time, Marcus had told her that the company was counting on her to back to work, so Cheryl mad sure she never missed a beat. She returned full-time when her daughter was just 3 months old, leaving Emma to the care of her first nanny the one who later left Emma sitting in the grocery cart while she packed the bags into the boot of her car, then almost drove off without her. Cheryl enjoyed her new responsibilities at Copro, and her already solid reputation even grew stronger. But it had been horrible at times to cope with having a young child when both she and her husband, John, were not around with his business trips. A year and a half ago, when John was on a business trip, Emma picked up a cold at school that developed into virulent bronchitis and her nanny Frauke (from Germany) got sick too. For ten days, Cheryl fed them both with chicken soup, cleaned the vaporizer, and tried to work despite their coughing fits. She wasnt terribly successful. Six months later, she asked her boss, Marcus, if she could reduce her work hours. Im sure you think its rather late to bring this up. Emma is already seven, Cheryl told Marcus. Marcus nodded, his eyes gleaming sympathetically. I dont know how you manage. I couldnt work so hard without my wifes support. Cheryl smiled ruefully. True, John hadnt been much help at home, but Frauke was a champ, and Emma got on magnificently with her. Its not that I cant manage, Marcus. And maybe I should have gone part-time when she was smaller, but I wasnt interested then. Now that shes getting a little older, she seems to need my help more, Cheryl said. Marcus patted her hand earnestly. Youll just end up working the same hours for less pay, you know. Your job is a big, responsible one. It just cant be done in four days, let alone three. Some of the teams might benefit from additional challenges, Cheryl started, but Marcus leaned forward and cut her off. Cheryl, youve built a great team over the past few years. Now youre ready to focus on more strategic issues, which will be the key for your next step up the ladder. Cheryl blinked in surprise. She hadnt considered the promotion. It was flattering, of course, but it wasnt on her agenda right now or was it? She was firm to reject this promotion as she was considering her daughter, Emma.

Marcuss glasses reflected the sunlight off the river, and Cheryl couldnt see his eyes. She wondered how far to push. Emma gets home from school by 3pm on most days. I could come in earlier and leave earlier on a few of them. She made it as a statement, not a question. Marcus pursed his lips and tapped his fingers on the desktop. You spend quite a bit of time guiding your team. Do you think a schedule like that is manageable? Although I think we can work that one out. Ill ask HR and Derek if we can come up with something for you. NO TIME FOR TEARS With her new flexible schedule at work, Cheryl thought of spending quality time with her daughter. It took only a few months to realize that the small shift in hours wasnt enough. Emma rang Cheryl on her mobile minutes before a key executive meeting where she was due to give an important marketing presentation. At the sound of Emmas teary voice, Cheryl shoved down her anxiety and tried to keep her voice steady. What is it honey? Whats the matter? You promised youd come. My play at lunchtime. Cheryls stomach roiled. She cursed silently. She scanned the conference room which was filling in rapidly, executives milling about and there were only a few minutes left before her meeting started. Honey, Im so sorry. I forgot. I feel terrible. But I dont think I can come there now. Never mind. You already missed it. Her presentation went on smoothly, impressing Marcus and Derek. She basked in the praises of her superiors and later on thought of an idea of how to make it up to Emma. She booked the Alton Towers for the weekend. She and Emma can take a ride at the Congo River Rapids, go to the park and enjoy the rest of the weekend. With the reservations all set, she called up Emma. Her daughter was so elated that she couldnt help shed tears of joy, and that of congratulations to herself as well. During midweek, she found herself in the office of Marcus. Listen, Ive got a great idea for you, and I dont know why I havent ever thought of this before. Its just the thing to give you some exposure and the chance to develop. I was going to go myself but now that I think of it, it would be perfect for you. Smiling at the boyish grin of Marcus, Whatever are you talking about? Its that conference trip to Boulder that I was talking about. Its this weekend already. We need to develop our business in the United States. Copro is setting up a task force there next weekend. You can go and take my place. Cheryls heart thudded painfully in her chest. Next weekend was her date with Emma at the Alton Towers. You know I do have plans, but I think I can have them rescheduled.

Great, you wouldnt regret it! Cheryl wasnt so sure as she forced a smile to her face. Why she could never say no, it was beyond her. She had no idea what to say to her daughter. On the bright side, her capital with the company was on a steep upward climb. The higher her position, the better work schedule she might be able to give to herself. A MIDDLE GROUND? To compensate, she spoke with Deb Roth, the VP for Human Resources to ask if she can work on a flexible time frame. Cheryl, a person of your stature here in the office should be more visible than ever. Definitely, working on a part time basis is out. If youre having problems about your child like what I used to, heres a phone number. Hes an executive coach and counselor. Maybe he can help you out. Cheryl looked at the Mersey outside her office window and realized the sun had set. The sky was streaked with pinks and oranges. She shoved herself out of her chair and strode to Marcuss office. It was time to find out what high powered job Marcus may have for her. Cheryl, regarding that promotion that we talked about before, you might not get that for the moment. Its off the table temporarily. What does that mean? Im not sure. Im really sorry. I know youve been coping with so many things. Please dont do anything rash. Rash! Are you sure this has nothing to do with my ranting and my request for a more flexible working time? No, of course it doesnt. I know management thinks highly of you and we wouldnt want to lose you. Cheryl frowned. She needed to make a decision. Now.