Work-Life –Balance Case Analysis
Description
Robin Martin Jones graduated college with her business degree and she became a “Fast Tracker” when she started her new career with a Fortune 500 company. After settling down into a mid-level management position she got married and started a family. Even with family and 80 percent flexible time, Robin was able to achieve the same objectives as that of other managers even though they worked full-time schedule. Robin decided it was time for a change and started looking for opportunity for advancement. After several interviews and being recommended by her counterparts she realized she was being passed over. She also observed that her three male MBA classmates were rising steadily in the organization. Out of frustration, Robin quit her job and formed a startup company.
Diagnosis
Robin was upset when she was passed over for promotions. Robin feels that she is being treated unequally compared to the men just because she is a working mother, she is more than able to balance her work and family life and continue to perform at the superior level before becoming a mother.
Theory
After reading this case, I believe that the theory that best describes that situation is the ‘Equity Theory of motivation’. The Equity Theory of motivation suggested that people will be motivated to engage in an action or series of action if he or she perceives that the conditions of the situation are fair and just, ultimately benefitting the individual. Robin perceived that her outcome to inputs were not equal to that of her male MBA classmates after she became a working mother and not treated equally , resulting in inequity which ultimately led to her leaving the company.
Prescription
Short-term: Robin should have brought the concern up with her employer.
Long term: The long term fix would be that the, company should revise its policy for the treatment of women one step further to...