Q. You are the Executive Director of an upcoming InfoTech Company which is making a name for itself in the market. Mr. A, who is a star performer, is heading the marketing team. In a short period of one year, he has helped in doubling the revenues as well as creating a high brand equity for the Company so much so that you are thinking of promoting him. However, you have been receiving information from many corners about his attitude towards the female colleagues; particularly his habit of making loose comments on women. In addition, he regularly sends indecent SMS’s to all the team members including his female colleagues.
One day, late in the evening, Mrs. X, who is one of Mr. A’s team members, comes to you visibly disturbed. She complains against the continued misconduct of Mr. A, who has been making undesirable advances towards her and has even tried to touch her inappropriately in his cabin. She tenders her resignation and leaves your office.
- What are the options available to you?
- Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.
Q. You are the Executive Director of an upcoming InfoTech Company which is making a name for itself in the market. Mr. A, who is a star performer, is heading the marketing team. In a short period of one year, he has helped in doubling the revenues as well as creating a high brand equity for the Company so much so that you are thinking of promoting him. However, you have been receiving information from many corners about his attitude towards the female colleagues; particularly his habit of making loose comments on women. In addition, he regularly sends indecent SMS’s to all the team members including his female colleagues.
One day, late in the evening, Mrs. X, who is one of Mr. A’s team members, comes to you visibly disturbed. She complains against the continued misconduct of Mr. A, who has been making undesirable advances towards her and has even tried to touch her inappropriately in his cabin. She tenders her resignation and leaves your office.
- What are the options available to you?
- Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons.
One may be tempted to overlook the matter to protect the company's bottom line. Losing a critical performer may reduce its growth. Mrs. X’s service may not be that indispensable to the company. She has in any case quietly resigned and left.
As a variation on this option, the ED can call Mr. A and strictly admonish him. He may give a final warning to A to mend his ways.
He can tell him to patch up matters somehow with Mrs X. This can be tricky. Once an officer becomes cognizant of a crime, he incurs a legal obligation to take appropriate legal steps. Otherwise, he will become culpable. Mrs X may change her mind, and decide to fight for justice. Then ED will land in a legal imbroglio.
The basic issue involved in this case, apart from the obvious illegality, is moral. By condoning Mr. A conduct, ED will be acting very immorally allowing the criminal to get away and penalizing the victim. He has already failed in his duty by overlooking the misbehaviour of Mr. A
ED should sack Mr A after taking the approval of the MD and board. No one is indispensable in any organisation. He should take back the resignation of Mrs x and reinstate her on old or better terms of service. If he is under obligation to report the matter to any authorities, he should do so. Mrs X should be asked to file a case with the police though this will be her choice.
One may be tempted to overlook the matter to protect the company's bottom line. Losing a critical performer may reduce its growth. Mrs. X’s service may not be that indispensable to the company. She has in any case quietly resigned and left.
As a variation on this option, the ED can call Mr. A and strictly admonish him. He may give a final warning to A to mend his ways.
He can tell him to patch up matters somehow with Mrs X. This can be tricky. Once an officer becomes cognizant of a crime, he incurs a legal obligation to take appropriate legal steps. Otherwise, he will become culpable. Mrs X may change her mind, and decide to fight for justice. Then ED will land in a legal imbroglio.
The basic issue involved in this case, apart from the obvious illegality, is moral. By condoning Mr. A conduct, ED will be acting very immorally allowing the criminal to get away and penalizing the victim. He has already failed in his duty by overlooking the misbehaviour of Mr. A
ED should sack Mr A after taking the approval of the MD and board. No one is indispensable in any organisation. He should take back the resignation of Mrs x and reinstate her on old or better terms of service. If he is under obligation to report the matter to any authorities, he should do so. Mrs X should be asked to file a case with the police though this will be her choice.
