Case Study

Buffy was a newly recruited HR practitioner. During his one month into the job, he was asked to be in-charge of the

orientation programme for the entire organisation. Being new, he followed closely to the processes. Recently, Ray joined

the organisation and Buffy was required to orientate him. On Ray's first day of work, Buffy brought him around the

organisation for introduction to the rest of the staffs. Unfortunately, Ray's assigned mentor was not around hence, Buffy

was unable to make an official introduction for Ray to meet up with his mentor. In the afternoon, during the HR briefing,

Buffy mentioned to Ray that there is a buddy system in place but it is only on an opt-in basis. Ray requested to opt for a

buddy. Buffy was rather surprised by Ray's request as according to Buffy's manager-Joe, no one in the organisation has

requested for a buddy. Hence, Buffy checked with Joe on the criteria in getting a buddy for Ray and according to her,

Buffy found out that it needed to be someone preferably from Ray's department. Having clarified on the criteria, Buffy was

supposed to get a buddy for Ray, unfortunately, this issue was clearly forgotten by Buffy due to his busy schedule as he

was involved in other HR matters as well and he did not follow up with Ray's request promptly. One week later, Buffy met

Ray in a lunch gathering and Buffy greeted Ray and asked him casually how is he doing and if he has adapted well to his

job. Ray, asked Buffy blatantly and angrily where is his buddy that he had requested. At that moment, Buffy recalled on

the existence of this request and unwittingly told Ray that he thought Ray was joking with him on the request for a buddy

as he did not want to admit to Ray that he had clearly forgotten about the whole issue. Ray was very angered by Buffy's

response and told him off that he was very serious in getting a buddy and that its Buffy's responsibility to do so. Buffy,

clearly embarrassed and guilty about his mistake, apologised immediately and promised to get him a buddy. On the very

day, a buddy- Sammy, was found for Ray. Ray was very unhappy with Buffy and confronted Buffy and his buddy when he

was able to have an official meet up session with his mentor. Buffy explained to Ray that the organisation has no current

practice in place for meet up sessions to be arranged between mentors and mentees and its a practice for mentees to

take self-initiative to do so in arranging for meetings with their mentors and also that his mentor is currently out of town

and will only be back the next day. Buffy, himself being a new staff also was at that moment in time speaking on personal

experience and also based on what Joe had told him. Sammy, who was present agreed and helped to explain to Ray on

the practice. Ray kept quiet and Buffy unknowingly thought that Ray has understood the organization practice. Hence,

Buffy did not continue to check with Ray on this aspect. The following day, Ray had a feedback session with his manager

and Buffy was called upon to sit in as a part of the orientation programme. Ray brought up the issue on Buffy's failure to

get him a buddy promptly and that he was not introduced to his mentor at all. He complained about the poor management

of the HR mentor and buddy system and that it was not effective at all and that he expressed that he is very unhappy with

Buffy as he felt that he was not doing his job at all. Buffy tried to explain to Ray and his manager about what happened

and also reassured Ray that he will take his suggestions of improving on the system and was apologetic about the issue.

He told Ray's manager that he will bring Ray to see his mentor after the session as his mentor is back in the office after

being on leave for the past week.

Ray was still very unhappy with Buffy and continued telling Buffy off in front of his manager.

Questions:

1. What should Buffy do to resolve the issue as an HR?

2. Even though all has been done and followed up, Ray is very unhappy with Buffy and holds it against him. What should

Buffy as HR do to resolve this and should Joe, as Buffy's manager do something?

3. Exhibit the role played by Ray's manager in this issue and should he be implicated?