Commentator Dawn Turner Trice is having her own dilemma at work. DAWN TURNER TRI
ID: 444157 • Letter: C
Question
Commentator Dawn Turner Trice is having her own dilemma at work.
DAWN TURNER TRICE: More and more of my pregnant colleagues are letting it all hang out in spandex T-shirts and dresses. Even winter sweaters cling and hug the mothers-to-be, revealing all those pokey belly buttons. I have to admit, sometimes it is a bit unsettling.
When I was pregnant 12 years ago, it was the first time I had real curves, and I was tempted to show them off - maybe on the beach, never in the office. In the office, I tried to conceal my expanding girth by dressing in muumuu-like attire. But that's definitely not the fashion these days.
I believe a lot of women are taking their cues from Hollywood's new mothers. I'm thinking of Angelina, Katie and Gwyneth, who grace the magazines during their pregnancies in form-fitting clothing.
Okay. I am not a prude. Women's bodies are quite lovely during gestation. Pregnant women should don all the bikinis they want. Their bodies are far more attractive than those of guys who stuff their beer bellies into Speedos. The office is another matter.
When I've seen these new skintight maternity fashions stretched across huge bellies at work, I sometimes thought, now that's a look. I've even wondered if someone should say something, but what? A supervisor might tell a colleague she's showing too much cleavage. How do you tell an expectant mom that she's showing too much curvage?
I'm thrilled that pregnancy is no longer and automatic ticket to the mommy track, but maybe we need a rule. If you want to get ahead, spandex has no place in the office, whether you're pregnant or not.
1.) Discuss/describe the sources of conflict in the scenario described by the speaker.
2.) Your manager has asked you to speak to an employee who is very pregnant and wearing what your manager believes is inappropriate attire:
a) Describe the method of communication would you use to address this issue with the employee.
b) How can socio-emotional conflict be minimized in this situation?
c) What interpersonal conflict management style would you utilize? Be specific.
3.) Do you agree with the opinion of the speaker in this audio? Why or why not?
Explanation / Answer
The sources of the conflict in the described scenario is about dress code for pregnant employees. On the one hand, the commentator subscribe to the idea of having temptation to show-off the real curves of pregnancy but on the other hand not to do so in the office but would like to go for demonstration at the beach. But after a gap of 12 years, she is not at compfort to see the change happening in the office where pregnant employees are wearing spandex T-shirts and dresses exposing/showing/demonstrating body changes due to pregnancy.
It appears the commentator wants some code of dress in office and against spandex whether employee is pregnant or not. There are number of organizations wherein dress code is compulsory (Police, military, lawyers in courts, doctors & nurses in hospitals etc), others give use options but limited to suits, some may ask you to come in formals- pants shirt with or without tie. In short, different organizations describes different codes of dress in the office. The given scenario appears to be more liberal and needs some discipline so that office should have look of an office with good looking liberal dress code sans spandex.
2. I would like to engage the employee in conversation about wearing different types of clothes for different occassions at different places and lead to choices available during pregnancy. Try to find out the real reasons for liking/wearing particularly those cloths which others consider as undesirable during pregnancy and or otherwise.
Socio-emotional conflict can be minimised by having a free and frank discussion on the subject. As hinted in the narration, presciption of code of dress in the office may be introduced for all employees irrespective of pregnancy.
Interpersonal conflict management may not use the style of ignorance rather I would prefer participative style that may lead to compromise and or some sort of bargaining for do's and don'ts.
Yes, I agree office premises should have proper dress code so that undue diversion of attention to dresses of employees should not have an impact (adverse in any way ) for the performance of the employees at work. In fact it is important to have a conducive, healthy, pleasent, friendly environment in the office.