Discrimination In The Workplace: Real Or Imagined?

Abstract

This two (2) part case study presents a chronological and a narrative record of Claudia Boyle, a 48 year old woman, who has accepted an information technology position at Food for Freedom Incorporated (FFF) - a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO). Full of zeal and enthusiasm, Claudia keeps up with the possibilities of career succession under Gretta Lengling, a new manager in the human resources department. By all accounts, Gretta was a "zealous achiever" and she and Claudia established a comfortable friendship at work. However, the once warm relationship quickly cooled when Claudia got sick and despite her friendship with Gretta, was passed over for a promotion when on a short-term disability leave. Faced with Gretta's justifications for hiring Derke Zykstra - a younger male - Claudia wonders if she has become a causality of both age and disability based discrimination. Advised by Gretta that she had displayed disruptive behavior, Claudia wonders if a "bad job" trumps no job at all.