Mommy Track Backlash Case Analysis

David | Fernandez | Ng | Ong | Sarayba | BA 152 Case: Mommy Track Backlash

Case Problem. What policies should the company implement in order to be fair in adjusting work arrangements for employees, given the current adjustments provided for only working mothers?

Case Analysis. Given that the company sells database solutions, the sales and customer support department is vital to both driving revenue, providing support services, and maintaining relationships with clients. It is important to give prompt and quality service in order to keep the client. Therefore, it is important for employees of this department to be readily available when clients have concerns. Since working mothers such as Megan are offered flexitime, employees like Davis who worked on Christmas Day pick up the slack. ClarityBase is a progressive company in terms of providing programs to help employees balance work and life, particularly for parents. However, this has earned disdain from employees who are not mothers because they cannot take advantage of such benefits as they feel that nothing is given to them in return.

        The main concern of the case stems from the perceived inequality brought about by Megan Flood’s flexible time schedule. Aside from being a working mother, Megan also happened to have strong credentials (coming from a competitor) and to be highly qualified for the position. However, if Jana and Davis are given a flexible work schedule as well, other account managers may demand the same. The company could not afford additional managers but ignoring Jana’s and Davis’ requests may cause a conflict within the company. It seems to be that one must be a mother to maximize work adjustments provided by the company. They may point out the inequity from Megan’s case. Doing such is also not in line with the culture of the company with regard to its progressive view on work-life issues. Overall, it is difficult for Jessica to make a fair and sound judgment as issues concerning work and life are hard to evaluate. Such concerns are equivalent to comparing scenarios that are really different from each other. In addition, the company currently doesn’t have any guidelines in dealing with flexitime applicable to parents versus non-parents.