The Receptionist and the Rehab Center
Moral Dilemma #10: A Wrinkle
Introduction:
Now we’d like to complicate Barbara and Courtney’s dilemma just a bit more by telling you what happened next…
Need to get up to speed with the first part of the dilemma? Want to see how other people responded? Read it here and vote/comment before moving on to The Wrinkle.
Read our Expert’s Analysis of the dilemma and your responses.
“Well, Tom, I don’t think it’s any secret that the transition hasn’t exactly been easy” Barbara said. Her mind raced trying to think of what she should tell them.
“Sure, we’re all aware of that Barbara” Tom said. “But what’s with Courtney’s mysterious absences? She hasn’t seemed focused on the job at all lately. There are decisions that need to be made around here—real leadership issues—this can’t go on forever.”
“Please Tom, don’t you think you’re exaggerating the situation a bit?” she said. “In the ten years I’ve been here it’s not as though everything always ran so smoothly.” Even though she hadn’t been a fan of Courtney’s, Barbara found herself feeling protective of her in the face of Tom’s questions.
Tom asked the other faculty members to leave the room and closed the door behind them. He sat down across from Barbara and leaned forward in his chair. “Barbara, I’ve seen some of Courtney’s emails lately” he said. “I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but the fact is she’s got some substance abuse issues. That’s the family matters she’s dealing with right now.”
Best Practices
- Say nothing and let Tom make his report. There’s a good chance that the school will be better off with him at the helm anyway.
- Tell Tom what she knows about Courtney’s husband abandoning her and ask him to reconsider making his report so she gets the chance to get back on her feet.
- Try to get in touch with Courtney to let her know that Tom is undermining her so she can defend herself.
- Risk her own job and contact the school board herself and let them know what Tom is trying to do.
- Tell Tom that what he’s doing is deeply unfair because there are extenuating circumstances but she won’t stand in his way.
- Try to let other faculty and staff members know what Tom is up to and attempt to organize some sort of response.
None of these sound right to you? Want to qualify one of the above answers? What do you think Barbara should do now? Read Results
The way he told Barbara gave her the impression that he understood she was already aware of this as well.
“Interesting, Tom, why would you be looking at her emails?” Barbara asked sarcastically.
“It’s my job to make sure our school is getting the sort of administration it deserves, Barbara” he shot back. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“No, of course not, Tom” she said. “I’m just not so sure that invading other people’s privacy is the best way to achieve that.”
“Well pardon me if I offended you, I just happen to take my responsibility to our students and their parents very seriously” he said with a slight smirk. “I’m going to be visiting the school board later today to give them a full report on the state of things around here since Courtney took over. If you want to be a part of helping put this school back on track I hope you decide to cooperate.”
Barbara could feel her stomach tighten with Tom’s last comment. She knew that he was pulling a power play to get himself installed as the new principal.
But she needed this job. She was divorced with a teenage daughter about to enter college, so tuition payments were right around the corner. If she didn’t play along, there’s a decent chance she’d be out of a job when Tom took over or at least he’d make it so miserable for her that she’d hate being there. Why was she trying to protect Courtney, whom she really didn’t care for anyway?
Time for you to decide again. What’s the right thing for Barbara to do now? Read Results
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