You are the manager of a small computer programming firm with only seven employees. Rupert Johnson, a programmer who has worked for the company for five years, has developed the habit of coming in to work anywhere from ten to thirty minutes late most days. The other employees have come to you to complain about Rupert’s constant tardiness, saying that it is unfair that they have to take up his slack in the morning routine. You have promised to call Rupert in and talk to him about the problem.
When you call Rupert into your office to talk to him, he opens up to you and explains that about a month ago his ex-wife unexpectedly gave him full custody of his seven-year-old son. She literally left the boy on his doorstep one Saturday and disappeared. Rupert admits that he has been struggling to get into a good routine with his son. The child’s school will not let students arrive before 7:30 am and even if he gets the boy to school at that time, the morning commute and traffic will always make him a few minutes late.
Using SMART goals to come up with some goals for Rupert. How can he solve his problem? Then use the Rubric (link below) to help you formulate a plan and make sure you earn all the necessary points for this assignment.
SMART goals for Rupert:
1. Specific: Rupert's goal is to consistently arrive to work on time each day, overcoming the challenge of his son's school schedule and morning traffic.
2. Measurable: Rupert will track his punctuality by recording the time he arrives at work each day.
3. Achievable: Rupert will need to find a solution that allows him to drop off his son at school and still arrive at work on time. This may involve adjusting his morning routine, finding alternative transportation options, or discussing flexible work hours with his employer.
4. Relevant: Rupert's punctuality directly impacts his coworkers, who have expressed their concern about having to take up his slack in the morning routine. Improving his punctuality will contribute to a more efficient and fair work environment.
5. Time-bound: Rupert aims to establish a consistent routine within the next two weeks, ensuring he arrives at work on time every day.
Based on the Rubric, the following plan can be formulated to address Rupert's problem:
1. Schedule a meeting with Rupert to discuss his situation and his colleagues' concerns.
2. Encourage Rupert to develop a morning routine for himself and his son that allows him to drop off his son at school and still arrive at work on time. This may involve waking up earlier, preparing breakfast and lunches the night before, or finding alternative transportation routes.
3. Discuss the possibility of Rupert exploring flexible work hours with his employer. This could involve adjusting his start time slightly to accommodate his son's school schedule.
4. Encourage Rupert to communicate with his colleagues about his struggle and the steps he is taking to address it, fostering understanding and support within the team.
5. Advise Rupert to track his punctuality each day and to actively work on improving it. Offer guidance and support if needed.
6. Regularly check in with Rupert to monitor his progress and provide additional assistance or adjustments if necessary.
7. Evaluate Rupert's progress after two weeks to determine if further actions or accommodations are needed. Overall, the goal is to find a solution that allows Rupert to balance his responsibilities as a parent and an employee while ensuring fairness to his colleagues.