Organizational Behavior Case: Drinking Up the Paycheck

James Emery is the father of four children. He was raised in a hardworking immigrant family. His needs for
achievement and power were developed while he was growing up. Now he finds himself in a low-paying,
dead-end assembly line job with a large manufacturing firm. It is all he can do to get through the day, so he
has started daydreaming on the job. On payday he often goes to the tavern across the street and generally
spends a lot of money. The next day he is not only hung over but also very depressed because he knows
that his wife can- not make ends meet and his children often go without the essentials. Now he cannot take
it any longer. At first he thought of going to his boss for some help and advice, but he really does not
understand himself well enough, and he certainly does not know or trust his boss enough to dis- cuss his
problems openly with him. Instead, he went to his union steward and told him about his financial problems
and how much he hated his job. The steward told James exactly what he wanted to hear. "This darn
company is the source of all your problems. The working conditions are not suited for a slave, let alone us.
The pay also stinks. We are all going to have to stick together when our present contract runs out and get
what we deserve-better working conditions and more money.

Summary
James Emery, a father of four children, is frustrated with his low-paying, dead-end job in a large manufacturing firm.
He often spends his paycheck on alcohol, which leads to depression and further financial problems. He seeks help
from his union steward, who suggests that the company is the source of all his problems and that the workers should
demand better working conditions and higher pay.

Major Problem
Low pay, addiction, mental health: Multi-faceted socio-economic challenges.

Question 01: Explain James's behavior in terms of the frustration model.

Answer. James's behavior can be explained in terms of the frustration model, which states that frustration leads to
aggression or other forms of negative behavior. James is frustrated with his low-paying, dead-end job, which is not
meeting his needs for achievement and power. He is also frustrated with his inability to provide for his family, which
is leading him to spend his paycheck on alcohol. This frustration is causing him to become depressed and disengaged
from his work, which further exacerbates his problems.

Question 02: Cite a specific example of role conflict in this case.

Answer. A specific example of role conflict in this case is the conflict between James's role as a father and his role as
an employee. He wants to provide for his family, but his low-paying job is preventing him from doing so. This
conflict is causing him to engage in negative behaviors, such as excessive drinking, which further complicates his
situation.

Question 03: What type of conflict resolution strategy is the union steward suggesting? Do you think the
real problems facing James are working conditions and pay?

Answer. The union steward is suggesting a conflict resolution strategy known as the "win-lose" approach, where one
party wins at the expense of the other party. He is suggesting that the workers band together to demand better working
conditions and higher pay from the company. However, it is unclear if this strategy will actually solve James's real
problems, as they may be more complex than just working conditions and pay. The real problems facing James may
include a lack of education and skills, limited job opportunities, and personal issues such as addiction and mental
health problems.

Question 04: What, if anything, can be done to help the James Emerys of the world? Keep your answer
related to human resources management.

Answer. To help the James Emerys of the world, human resources management can focus on providing employees
with opportunities for education and training, as well as career advancement. This can help them acquire the skills and
knowledge necessary to move up the career ladder and achieve their goals. HR can also provide support services for
employees who are struggling with personal issues, such as addiction or mental health problems, to help them
overcome their challenges and improve their overall well-being. Additionally, HR can work with managers to create a
positive work environment that promotes employee engagement, motivation, and job satisfaction. This can include
initiatives such as employee recognition programs, flexible work arrangements, and open communication channels
between employees and managers.