Linda Barry †Case Study Essay

Linda Barry, a single mother with 3 children, was hired as an order-entry clerk for a trucking firm. Her first 2 weeks on the job were spent in a special class from 8am-4pm, where she learned how to sort, code and enter the orders on the computer, as instructor with her constantly at first, and then less frequently as she gained knowledge, skills and confidence. Linda was happy to have the job and enjoyed her work schedule. When the training was completed, she was told to report to the order entry department the following Monday. When she was first employed, either Linda failed to read and understand the printed information about her regular work schedule or perhaps the recruiter forgot to tell her that she was to fill a spot in a special shift that worked from 4am till noon. In any case, Linda failed to report to work on the early schedule on the first day of regular work. When she did arrive at 8am, her supervisor criticized her for lack of responsibility. Barry responded by saying that she could not work at the early shift because she had to prepare her children for school, and she threatened to resign if she could not work on the later shift because of a heavy work load and a difficult labor market, the supervisor needed Linda to do the job yet no room for her in the 8am-4pm shift. QUESTIONS: 1. Analyze the communication blockages in this case. Discuss what ideas of communication, listening, realistic job previews, feedbacks and interference it has. 2. Explain how you would handle the employment situation at the end of the case. What ideas could be applied to help solve the problem?