Bob Ford was a management trainee in a large casualty insurance company

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Principles and Practice of Management
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• Principles and Practice of Management
•  
• Case (20 Marks)
• Bob Ford was a management trainee in a
  large casualty insurance company. He had been
  hired 18 months previously and was only now in
  the latter stages of the program. His present
  assignment was in one of the large branches the
  company had in an urban Centre. Most of his work
  involved experience analysis of the many large
  policy holders serviced by this branch. John
  Crane, the branch manager, had mentioned the
  possibility of a permanent assignment to the
  branch when the training period was completed.
  Bob reacted favorably, since he admired Crane and
  they got along well.

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• During a recent review Crane told him that
  he was the best trainee assigned to the branch
  since Crane had been manager. Naturally Bob was
  pleased with his compliment and looked forward to
  the promised permanent assignment. An opening
  developed at the branch when one of the senior
  analysts was transferred to company headquarters.
  Though Bob had not fully completed the training
  program, Crane offered him the position, thinking
  him fully qualified for the opening. Bob accepted
  and was told by his boss that the formal request
  was going in to the headquarters personnel
  department that day and he should be ready to
  move into the job in two weeks, when the
  incumbents transfer was to take place. Crane
  went to the companys headquarters the next day
  for a meeting with his superior. In the course of
  the discussion Crane was told about the companys
  affirmative action plan, which they were required
  to file under fair employment practice
  legislation.

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• Cranes boss went on to say that the
  company had to promote more women to responsible
  positions, and since there was an opening in
  Cranes branch they were going to promote a young
  woman in the management training program to fill
  the opening. This woman had only been with the
  company 11 months and still had a considerable
  learning period to face. Crane was flabbergasted
  and told his boss of the offer to Bob Ford and
  its acceptance. The boss refused to listen and
  said that adherence to the affirmative action
  plan was paramount, since the companys record
  was less than desirable in the area of equal
  employment opportunity. Crane asked what he was
  going to tell young Ford, and the boss replied,
  Tell him not to worry hell get the next
  opening. Why, all we are doing is practicing
  reverse discrimination and not paying much
  attention to qualifications either, said Crane.
  Thats about it, the boss replied.
•  

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• Answer the following question.
•  
• Q1. Should a company practice reverse
  discrimination to comply with civil rights
  legislation? Explain.
•  
• Q2. What can Mr. Crane tell Bob Ford?
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• Q3. What should Ford do?
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• Q4. What are the moral arguments pros and cons
  for affirmative action program to reverse
  discrimination?

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