This reflection will be about workplace scenario #5. this scenario is about how one morning you were called aside to express a complaint, the junior recruit is upset with the after-work meetings you share at the pub, she is complaining that you are favoriting, and feels excluded. you offer to move locations but then your department head states it should stop all together.

Though I understand why meetings afterwork at a pub could become problematic – especially with the involvement of alcohol – as long as each employee is respectable and professional it should not be a problem. Spending time with employees outside the job could be beneficial to the company, it would allow them to form a closer connection. the best way to ensure everyone is welcome is to meet in a friendlier environment.

As I considered my solutions I couldn’t help but think back to our class discussion. The main solution that stuck in my mind is encouraging lunch’s in the office during hours to ensure everyone got the opportunity to join. It could be a great idea however then employees may request it to be paid lunch hours or may be upset otherwise. Another thing that I considered was the Junior recruits intentions. Was she trying to get everyone into trouble? or was she truly feeling excluded? Why didn’t she speak to you first about her feelings? after thinking things through, here are 4 solutions I came up with.

1. Stop the meetings completely.

2. Make no changes, continue to meet after hours, and continue to welcome everyone.

3. Change locations, and avoid business discussions, any business issues should be dealt with in office.

4. Confront the junior recruit and be immature and upset at her for being a tattletale. Make no changes.

If I were put into this situation, and after considering my choices, I believe I would end up doing #3. This would probably be because I do not see any harm in meeting after work, as long as things stay professional. I also viewed this to be a middle ground solution, it will allow employee’s to continue to meet up however solve the location issue as well as work information being shared outside of business hours. Re-locating will help more employees feel included, like the junior recruit. This can also continue to help grow employee relationships.