Discussion 8

The focus of this discussion is on Teamwork, a very important aspect in any and every organization. Read the case study: Whispers in the Development Office and answer the following questions:

Whispers in the Development Office - Case for Chapter 13

You are a new administrative assistant in a department that supports the philanthropic efforts of a large hospital. You are one quarter of a group of assistants that support the office. The other three assistants are not very friendly and also do not seem willing to assist you in learning the ropes of the office. You become guarded and apprehensive on asking for help. You have voiced your concerns to your direct supervisor who in turn voices them to the department manager. The other assistants are called into individual meetings with their respective direct supervisors and told about the issues. The other assistants become even more guarded with you. When everyone is at their desk, it is completely quiet. When you walk away from your desk, you begin to hear whispers.

During a busy season, you make a mistake on a task. One of the assistants notices your mistake and then begins furiously typing. You then receive an email from that same assistant that is meant for someone else. In the email, she is speaking very disparagingly about you. She says to you that the email was not meant for you and if you would like to discuss, she would like to be there for the discussion. You are very angry and not able to speak and instead leave your desk for 15 minutes. Reading the email confirms your suspicions that your counterparts talk disparagingly behind your back. Later that day, you are required to attend an introductory luncheon for an assistant in another department with this assistant. During the walk to the luncheon, the assistant apologizes profusely.

The next day, you and the coworker have separate meetings with the director of the department. After her meeting, she gives you a cold look and is silent for the rest of the day. Your direct supervisor takes you out to lunch so that you can vent your frustrations.

Case Study Question

1. What are your next steps after your coworker's apology?

2. Can you ever trust the co-worker or any other coworker in the department again?

3. If so, what steps would you take to move on?

4. If not, what steps would you take? would you ask for? transfer out of the department?