Case study: Who is right?

Pamela Raine is the owner of Fast Track, a leadership training organization in London. The company has been operating for more than 20 years and has clients all over the world. John Regent, a staff member, has asked for a meeting with Pamela after receiving an email from her requesting that he attend an important client meeting.

Pamela: So, John. It’s about the email I sent, right? John: Absolutely. I don’t understand. Susanne has been working on this account for months now. I believe the client’s president is flying in for the final negotiation and to sign the contract, and I think Susanne should be there, not me. It’s only right.

Pamela: I see what you’re saying, John. My issue is that this client is, how shall I say, a bit special. It’s engineering, very macho. I met the president at a dinner last year, and he was very inappropriate with his comments about women, saying they should be at home looking after the kids, don’t make good leaders and so on.

John: You’re joking.

Pamela: No, I was very uncomfortable, to be honest. So, I don’t want to subject Susanne to that. That’s one reason. Secondly, I just think that in the final negotiation round, he’ll probably listen to you more, being a man. It’s better for business.

John: Hold on a minute. This company has values and one is that we don’t discriminate on the grounds of gender. This feels all wrong and… Pamela: Sorry to interrupt, John, but I’m trying to do the right thing here.

John: Pamela, this is the wrong thing. We need to defend our values, stand up for what we believe in. We need to push back against people like this. We don’t need this guy’s business that much.

Pamela: John, we do need this deal. It’s been a very difficult year so far. It’s not our job to preach ethics. And, anyway, it’s not a simple black-and-white issue for us. There was a lawsuit against a company in the US recently for something similar, when a female staff member was sent to a client meeting, and there were sexist jokes. So, I also have to protect the company in these situations.

John: I’m not happy about this. I can’t agree with you.

Pamela: Look, John, I respect your opinion, but at the end of the day, this is my decision. We need you to go to that meeting. OK?

What to think about

What are the main differences between Pamela’s and John’s motivations here?

Whose position do you feel is more ethical? Why? What would you do in this situation if you were Pamela?

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