From Dan To Danita: LGBT Based Discrimination And Issues Of Religious Freedom

In this two-part case study, Dan Flint faced a dilemma that was not of his own making.  He saw himself as a “…female imprisoned in a male’s body.”   In attempting to get a “grip” on his gender identity, he consults a renowned sex therapist and a barrage of emotions and feelings that make up his inner core nature are revealed. He faces the reality that “coming-out” is fraught with many issues and dilemmas.  Will his transgendered state be understood?  Will he undergo surgical procedures which will give him female anatomical parts?  How will he face his work environment, supervisors, and co-workers?  And finally, will he be accepted as a person with value and dignity?  The case shows the difficulties that Dan faced in transitioning to Danita in a workforce that reacted with confusion, uncertainty and skepticism.  The case presents in the first part, seven questions that bring up the interpersonal, ethical and managerial questions imbedded in the case study, and explore how a supervisor might prepare the organization for dramatic change. In the second part, President Obama’s Executive Order on prohibition of discrimination on LGBT workers, coupled with Employment Non-Discrimination Employment Act (ENDA), and the Supreme Court decision on religious freedom (Hobby Lobby) are woven into a series of important issues, concluding with a debate scenario

Discrimination In The Workplace: Real Or Imagined?

This two (2) part case study presents a chronological and a narrative record of Claudia Boyle, a 48 year old woman, who has accepted an information technology position at Food for Freedom Incorporated (FFF)—a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO).  Full of zeal and enthusiasm, Claudia keeps up with the possibilities of career succession under Gretta Lengling, a new manager in the human resources department.  By all accounts, Gretta was a “zealous achiever” and she and Claudia established a comfortable friendship at work.  However, the once warm relationship quickly cooled when Claudia got sick and despite her friendship with Gretta, was passed over for a promotion when on a short-term disability leave. Faced with Gretta’s justifications for hiring Derke Zykstra—a younger male—Claudia wonders if she has become a causality of both age and disability based discrimination.  Advised by Gretta that she had displayed disruptive behavior, Claudia wonders if a “bad job” trumps no job at all

The Thin Blue Line Or Thick Blue Wall?

A routine traffic stop turns into a “sticky wicket” when charges are made that customary professional courtesies were not-extended between two officers from neighboring jurisdictions. Police professionalism issues, coupled with preferential treatment expectations and “thin-blue line” implications are embedded in the case study.  As this routine occurrence takes on a momentum of its own, complaints are filed, investigations are conducted, public “whistle-blowing” is revealed, and the chief of police is presented with conflicting opinions that were printed in the Courier—a regional newspaper. In the final analysis the issue of discretionary use of authority comes into the dynamics of the case study

The Senior Housing Shuffle:Connecting Public Policy To Universal Design, Sustainability, Health Management, And Aging In Place

Having faced the turbulent waters of uncertainty connected with the underfunding of human service and health management programs before, Judy Jones, in this two part case study, is excited to learn of a major historical restoration in Uptown — a neighborhood of rich historical heritage and architecture which, over the decades, had fallen into disrepair and instability. Old Emory School was to be restored for use as a new senior housing facility by Preservation Incorporated. She knew that realities often fail to measure up to expectations in housing accessibility, affordability, safety, and health care management for the residents, and this was the situation she faced once more. Common managerial and housing related problems are encountered and Judy reflects on the advantages of a built environment that uses universal design principles and wonders why real estate and commercial developers, architects, and urban planners are not more sensitive to these orientations. Based on experience, common housing shortcomings are identified and their relationship to aging in place, sustainability, and selected titles of the Americans with Disability Act, 1990 (ADA, 1990), are explored

The Strategy Of Sustainable Waste Management: Landfill Management, Recycling, Reduction, And Pollution Prevention

In “The Strategy of Sustainable Waste Management:  Landfill Management, Recycling, Reduction, and Pollution Prevention,” the enduring problem of solid waste management is presented.  As such, this case study deals with a real-life scenario when a recent graduate in the area of journalism and professional writing attempts to branch out and complement her professional interests.  With a fresh MPA in hand, Suzanne Rodgers lands a paid internship with a mid-sized city and takes on the responsibility of researching, planning, and implementing a policy and set of recommendations, for the Public Works Department.  She interviews the key political and economic actors in Winterville, provides a comprehensive description of the city, researches and analyses the incentives and barriers to change and then sets out to develop a plan for a comprehensive residential recycling effort that contains two options:  solid waste management and balancing a landfill fund. This plan and implementation strategy is addressed in a research portfolio.  In the final analysis she is faced with the real world issues of public interests and pressures and at a town hall meeting receives the responses from the citizens of Winterville. In this fast moving three-part case study, Suzanne Rodgers faces the real world of citizen input, conflict, and the role of special interests and pressure groups in making and implementing urban policy.  The case concludes with measurements that were used in Iowa’s Pollution Prevention Intern Program and a summary of the tonnage of waste and pollution reduction and diversion associated with the program from 2001-2014. Cost savings associated with the intern program over the same period are identified and 2014 yearly savings is presented

Talking Trash: Ethics, Sustainability, And Organizational Trust

In 1960 Americans generated 88.1 million tons (2.68 lbs./person/day) of municipal solid waste (MSW), by 2012 municipal solid waste increased to 250.9 million tons (4.38 lbs./person/day). The good news is that of the total MSW 5.6 million tons was recycled in 1960 and by 2012 the amount surged to 86.6 million tons. This real-world case (to protect privacy, names have been changed) chronicles the development of a strategic supply chain decision within a heavily regulated industry that is characterized by hybrid public/private organizations. It illustrates the importance of contract compliance and quality control assessment. In addition, it is heavily imbedded within the sustainability conversation. Finally, integral elements of the case are ethics and organizational trust, which, regardless of contract obligations, is essential in reciprocal relationships and community/customer support

Eupsychian Management: Organizational Change, Behavior, Motivation, And Trust

In Part 1 of this real-life incident, Professor Carson is teaching the customary material associated with the multiple theories of leadership, motivation, and organizational behavior. He deviates slightly from the way he normally presents these standard concepts and theories and divulges the concept of Eupsychian Management — a culture in which self-actualizing people behave in ways where trust begets trust and work is viewed as natural as play or rest. The class is given the following website www.interpolis.nl which demonstrates how the built environment of Interpolis relates to its organizational culture and behavior. In Part 2, the content of a personal interview that he conducted in Tilburg, The Netherlands — the home of Interpolis is elaborated. A new organizational culture based on “trust” — both of employees and customers is revealed. The end performance results and the productivity metrics are unbelievably high. The reader is challenged to address the content of seven penetrating questions and instructions which are part of the learning module; then, is asked to complete the case log and administrative journal entry

Violence Against Authority: Management, Policy, And Research Implications

There has been a steady decline in violent crime in the United States in the past twenty years. Trends indicate that violent crime was down 13.4 percent below the 200l level and for property crime, society is experiencing the tenth straight year of declining rates.  Yet, the Southern region of the U.S is disproportionately represented by percentage of overall violent crimes committed nationally.  Also, the South is over-represented in the number of police officers who are feloniously killed or assaulted. This empirical research concentrates on violence directed against police in the U.S. and begins by examining the type and magnitude of workplace violence, then transitions to a review of the sociological, political, and psychological literature, focusing on the individual and social causes for violence generally.  It ends with an examination of officers feloniously killed (their personal characteristics and that of their assailants), the level of violence against police by type of arrest or enforcement situation, and by region of the country.   This paper provides a comparative analysis of street-level violence for general municipal assaults, robbery, and the most rapidly growing type of felonious assault—ambush attacks. The paper concludes with an analysis of the societal and behavioral characteristics and considerations related to violence against police.  The authors present a number of current trends, training recommendations, and suggestions for improving officer workplace safety.

Disabled Laborers And The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOCs) Nightmare

In 2012, EEOC v. Henry’s Turkey Service was one of the largest disability settlements in American history.  Henry’s Turkey Service was ordered to pay $240 million for paying mentally disabled workers with I.Q.s estimated in the 60-70 range, 41 cents per hour and housing them in unsafe housing and health conditions (Hsieh, 2013).  Over forty years, Henry’s Turkey Service relocated hundreds of mentally disabled workers from Texas to Iowa where they were subjected to horrendous living conditions with unlawful, minimal pay—about$65.00 per month, while they worked at a local turkey processing factory in West Liberty, Iowa.  The actual case shows a pattern of violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and Americans with Disability Act, 1990. After a raid of the bright blue, florescent colored, century old school house in Atalissa, Iowa, these employers were brought to justice.  This case study is about one of the largest EEOC settlements in the history of the United States; yet due to federal damage caps was cut to $1.6 million for all of the men and their estates. The graphic account of the inhumane treatment and degradation of the labors presented in this study is not provided for gratuitous or salacious purposes; rather, it places into context what can occur when governmental regulations and laws go unheeded, unenforced and when authorities are apprised of wrongdoing possibilities stand idly by and in this case, do nothing for 35 years.