Helen Gates

Abstract:     
Ted Evans is the line manager at a construction-materials plant in Richmond, Virginia. Over the years, Evans has had experience dealing with morale, training and development, materials handling, and quality control. Helen Gates, a 27-year company veteran, has come to see Evans with charges of both gender and racial discrimination. She believes she has been denied promotions because of an institutionalized system of discrimination. Gates is the only woman of color on line 4 of the C shift. She had approached management on several previous occasions with concerns about various easily resolved issues. This case challenges students to look at the issues from both sides of the fence. Gates had once been friendly with one of the individuals she now accuses of being disrespectful. Evans must weigh the issues. The case offers students insight into why people behave the way they do, and suggests ways to approach what is happening in relationships and interactions with a clearer understanding.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 10

Keywords: conflict management, diversity, management of, group behavior, group dynamics, interpersonal behavior, interpersonal relations, leadership, discrimination, management skills

working papers series