Case Study 7.1 Jason, African American Manager Jason has applied for an assistan
ID: 388408 • Letter: C
Question
Case Study 7.1
Jason, African American Manager Jason has applied for an assistant manager's position at Drysdale Corporation. He's looking for opportunities to learn and grow in his career and wants to leave his current job because suctl opportunities are lacking His ultimate career goal is to become CEO of a large corporation. With his degree in business administration and plans to com- plete an MBA, he thinks he has a chance if he can find the right firm-even though he's an African American. When Jason is escorted around the Drysdale offices, he sees no African Americans, a few Asian Americans, and one Latino American. Nearly everyone is Euro-American, and they mostly seem too busy to pay much attention to Jason or spend time with him. But Jason really believes in the Drysdale Corporation and decides to accept their job offer Soon after he begins work, he notices that ethnic jokes and comments are common at Drysdale. Jason doesn't look like a typical African American because his mother is Euro-American. He speaks up several times, saying he doesn't appreciate jokes and comments that belittle people from any ethnic group. Most of the comments stop, but so does the already-sparse friendliness of Jason's coworkers. While the environment is not particularly warm at Drysdale, Jason still believes he can achieve career success here because he loves the work itself Jason knows he's a rapid learner and a responsible person, one who works effec- tively and efficiently. His performance evaluations during the next year and a halfare all excellent and his manager Ken seems to be encouraging. In fact, Jason believes he is one of the most productive workers in the company He meets his time targets and maintains high work quality. But Jason is getting rest- less. His work is becoming routine to him and therefore boring. He has asked Ken several times about a promotion and expanded job responsibilities. Ken has been vague, telling Jason to "hang in there and Ill keep an eye out for job opportunities for you." In the meantime, several management positions have opened up at Drysdale and been filled by others.
I. What surface problems do you notice?
2. What root problem(s) might underlie the surface problems?
3. If you were Jason, what would you do?
Explanation / Answer
Q1) The surface problems that I noticed are -
1. The racial jokes and comments from cowerkers who are not African-American.
2. The routineness in Jason's work.
3. The vague responses that Jason gets when he ask for better opportunities in the firm.
Q2) Below are the root problems that might underlie the surface problem(s) -
1. The racial discrimination and comments at workplace due to the lack of diversity in the firm with respect to the people from different ethnicities.
2. The discrimination with respect to opportunities at the workplace though the individual has proven his capabilities.
Q3) If I were Jason, I would arrange a meeting with my boss or his boss to understand how he is doing in the firm and highlight why he is not being provided with expanded job responsibilities to prove himself. I will inquire on the criteria and factors which determine the handling of additional responsibilities, promotions and better opportunities.