Abstract

The case illustrates how poor management can thwart a company's goals. When a manager bullies a remote employee and disregards their need for work-life balance, it creates extra work for everyone and undermines the company's ability to deliver. We follow the experiences of Akin, a junior software developer in his first year working remotely from Iran for a company based in Germany. The story unfolds with monologues from Akin and Pherson, his manager. It underlines the different viewpoints both have towards the same incident. Aamir is hired shortly after three other developers in his position have resigned from Techlink Ltd, one after the other. Akin finds the new job and remote work challenging. He is quickly overwhelmed by the backlog of work his predecessors left unfinished after each left the organization abruptly. With the timeline pressing, Akin puts a lot of energy, effort, and extra working hours into completing his assigned task, only to realize that Pherson does not acknowledge his work. Rather than grant Akin time off, Pherson makes additional demands that cross over into time Akin had dedicated to his personal life. Akin strongly considers resigning, but he hesitates because he needs the work. Pherson thinks it is perfectly normal for a leader to show his superiority and Akin must continue to take his orders. However, when Pherson sees how close his team has come to missing a delivery deadline and losing a client, he acknowledges that something needs to change.

Discussion Questions

1. How would you characterize Pherson's management style? Is he an abusive leaderwhy or why not? 2. What do you recommend Pherson do next regarding Akin's request for time off? Ground your response in the destructive and constructive leadership (DCL) behavior model. 3. How would you counsel Akin as he considers whether or not to resign? What are turnover intentions, and which leadership styles are associated with its reduction? 4. How might Pherson's actions be generally explained as bullying versus poor management? Explain the concept of workplace bullying and comment on its effects on Akin. 5. How important is the work-life balance from the employee's and the employer's viewpoint? Analyze Akin's situation in this regard