1.CASE STUDY: Promotion or merit?

Belinda arrives home looking drawn and tired after a particularly harrowing day at work.Her partner asks what the trouble is.She replies, 'You won't believe this, Marion, but someone has made a complaint against me saying I'm an ageist.How insulting!'

'You've got to be joking! What's it all about?' Marion asks.

'You remember that team leader position we're trying to recruit? That's a really critical job and I need someone I can rely on.Well a 55-year old applied for it, internally - a worker from our warehouse.It would mean a promotion for him.When his manager came to see me to ask me to consider him - well, I naturally said I couldn't.He knows as well as I do what an important position this is.I need someone who will be around for at least a few years once I've spent the company's time and money training them.And although it isn't a highly energetic job, I need someone with enthusiasm who can learn the ins and outs of the job quickly.This ageism business really gets me.I'm trying to do my best for the company and plan for the future and look where it gets me!'

Answer the questions below:

a.What mistakes is Belinda making?

b.Is she really acting in the company's best interest?Explain why or why not?

c.What advice would you give Belinda for the future?