Page 105 - DMGT406_HUMAN_RESOURCE_MANAGEMENT

Human Resource Management

Notes did not give a satisfactory answer. He was told not to confuse his workmen. But
Mr. Sundaram reacted by making rude remarks and misbehaving.
Mr Vachani listened patiently to Mr. Bose and advised him not to be agitated, adding that
he (Mr. Vachani) would talk to Mr. Sundaram about the matter. On Mr. Bose's attempts to
again tell Mr. Vachani as to what he wanted to be done, the latter said he would himself
decide the best course of action, though of course, Mr. Bose was free to take any alternative
action he felt necessary.
After some time Mr. Sundaram came to see Mr. Vachani in his office. The latter did not
indicate that he was aware of the incident with Mr. Bose. After discussing various matters,
Mr. Sundaram told Mr. Vachani. "Today, I had a fight with Bose" and proceeded to narrate
the whole matter. His account of the meeting with Mr. Bose was " I went to Bose's office a
little after I was called in. He asked me harshly to explain why I did not respond immediately
on being sent for, I replied politely that I was busy in some work, and I did not want to
disturb him. When Mr. Bose continued to press the issue I told him to discuss with
Mr. Vachani whether I am required to respond immediately to his calls even if some work
suffers in the process. About the out-of-routine job, I tried to explain that this became
necessary in view of the important inspection on Monday (about which Mr. Bose was also
aware) and that I had taken the initiative in the interest of work. Anyway, Mr. Bose told
me rudely not to instruct his men directly and to get out. This infuriated me and I told
Mr. Bose angrily that it was he who had called me. He then used some foul language and
as a result hot words were exchanged, so much so that I felt like hitting him." Mr. Sundaram
further added the he was nowhere at fault and that Mr. Bose's behaviour, specially in
asking him to 'get out', really provoked him. He said though he always gave Mr. Bose due
regard as a senior, the latter had no right to be as rude and insulting as he was.

It needs to be mentioned here that Mr. Sundaram has been working to the entire satisfaction
of Mr. Vachani and at times carried out his own liaison with Mr. Bose and his department,
whenever he was required to do so. After thinking over the incident for a few minutes,
Mr. Vachani advised Mr. Sundaram to go to Mr. Bose sometime and talk to him reminding
him (Mr. Bose) politely about the usage of strong words like 'get out', etc., and admitting
that he had lost his temper. In this way he felt that Mr. Bose would not take offence to what
Sundaram had said. After some persuasion, Sundaram agreed to do so and went back.
About an hour later, Mr. Vachani received a call from Mr. Sundaram saying that he had
information that Mr. Bose reported the matter to the Personnel Manager, and as such there
was no need for him now to talk to Mr. Bose as suggested by Mr Vachani and that he would
rather let the matter be decided otherwise since he in any case was not at fault.

Questions
1. Was Mr. Vachani's suggestions to Mr. Sundaram to talk out the matter with Mr. Bose
correct in the circumstances?
2. Should he not have told Mr. Sundaram that his interpretation of the incident varied
from that of Mr. Bose?
3. Was Mr. Bose justified in reporting the incident to the Personnel Manager soon after
he had appraised Mr. Vachani of the same?
4. What action, if any, should the Personnel Manager take in this regard?
5. If Mr. Bose is found to be guilty of implicating Mr. Sundaram without any substantial
reason, what remedy do you think the Personnel Manager should suggest to avoid
recurrence of such incidents in future?

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