Stuart McGregor’s goal was to be a chef, and he received a highly prestigious apprenticeship just before turning 17. Soon after starting his apprenticeship, he Experienced verbal abuse at work, and colleagues began making innuendos about his sexuality. He was once given a large bag of peas by the kitchen managers and asked to count them.
McGregor was told by his colleagues that he was going to receive an award. Excitedly, he called his family and could not wait to receive the award later in the day. Unknown to him, however, his peers had broken into his car and stolen the knob of his gear stick. They then wrapped it up and gave it to him as his “award” in front of the entire staff.
McGregor was regularly asked to perform tasks he did not know how to do and then was ridiculed when he did them incorrectly. Shortly before the conclusion of the apprenticeship period, he was invited to go on a camping trip with his workmates. Sadly, the kitchen managers threatened him with bodily harm if he went. McGregor was afraid for his safety and made excuses to avoid the trip.
Another employee ultimately complained about being bullied, and investigators questioned McGregor about his experience. He denied being bullied, probably out of fear for his safety, fear of losing his job, or because he thought he could handle the situation.
Consider how you might have resolved the situation faced by Stuart McGregor. Applying the 3-Step Problem-Solving Approach
1. Define the problem in this case.
2. Identify what OB concepts or theories help explain McGregor’s situation and reaction.
3. Recommend what you would do if you were McGregor and also if you were the manager of the
restaurant.
Prepare a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation on your approach indicating the problem, the theories you will use to explain the problem and the recommendations you will suggest.