HealthCo is a fully integrated, nonprofit health care organization with nine major medical centers and 36 affiliated clinics, rehabilitation units, therapy facilities, hospice and geriatric units, and other highly specialized centers (Cummings & Worley, 2009). The case provides three scenarios involving an employee and their immediate supervisor. In each scenario, work-life balance or conflict is the key issue. The scenarios raise issues of the role of immediate supervisor in supporting work-life balance or not, future issues in work-life balance, and the role of organization-wide programs and benefits.
How would you conduct a diagnosis of the situation at HealthCo?
This case provides a situation in which the approach to and process of diagnosis is crucial. The case notes that external researchers have surveyed female employees, which provides some initial data. The case also notes differences in concerns and approaches to work-life balance by department of the hospital, and, in particular, the difference between 24/7 and 9-to-5 departments. The methods of diagnosis should be a mai focus. While a survey or quantitative instrument could provide some key information, effective diagnosis would likely involve both quantitative and qualitative data. Qualitative approaches would include focus groups or interviews. Quantitative data could show average or mean support by department managers for an issue like flexible scheduling, but would not begin to explore the issues of flexible scheduling in critical care areas versus the legal department. Work-life issues vary significantly by age, gender, family status, and life stage. They also vary by position in the organization, the nature of specific jobs, and by department-level leadership and culture. These issues should be recognized in considering how to diagnosis the situation.
Based on the information provided in the scenarios and the case, what is your own diagnosis of the situation?
The personal diagnosis of...