Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You fire the boss's son.
This is the real-life decision made by office manager Lorna
Zahn.
"When my boss asked me to hire his son, I was just glad not to have to
go through the rigmarole of hiring someone. He'd left me with the impression
this kid was responsible and a hard worker, but he was the total opposite.
"My job is to have the office run smoothly. This guy was causing a great
deal of stress among our employees. To be honest, I was all up in knots about
it, but I knew it had to be dealt with. I'd already put it off too long."
So Zahn made an appointment to meet with her boss. She explained the situation
as diplomatically as possible.
"He asked me, 'If he weren't my son, would you fire him?'
and I said, 'Yes.' He thanked me for being honest. I think he already
knew anyway. Then he apologized for putting me in this position in the first
place." In the end, Zahn didn't have to fire the boss's son. The
boss did that himself.
A major weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It was one of the most
awkward positions Zahn had been in, but her boss had faith in her judgment.
Son or no son, this was business.
Then Zahn took the usual channels to hire a new mail clerk. In the end
she hired a young woman who'd just graduated high school, but who was
conscientious and willing to learn. That was two years ago. That mail clerk
is now the front receptionist and Zahn expects to be promoting her to an accounting
clerk position in the near future.