50 Case Studies for Management and Supervisory Training

50 Case Studies for Management and Supervisory Training

248

Case 47 (continued)

Part 2—Stopping the Flow

Concerned about the possibility that drugs were at the root of the problem, Wendy

hired a private investigator to wiretap the phone in Frank’s apartment. It was imme-

diately apparent that Frank was indeed buying cocaine. Wendy decided to act.

On May 30 at 3:00 p.m., she met with Frank in the Manager’s Office at the

Towers. When Frank entered the office, he noticed that Wendy was there with her

secretary and a resident manager from another facility. Wendy motioned for Frank

to be seated in the chair across the desk from her.

Wendy wasted no time. “Frank,” she said firmly, “I’ve come to tell you that I’m

letting you go.”

Frank smirked and looked at the blank faces in the room. “Sure, yeah,” he

laughed. “What’s the real reason you’re here?”

Wendy was calm on the outside, but nervous inside. “No, I’m serious. I’m going

to let you go.”

Frank realized she was serious and exploded. “What in the hell…! I can’t believe

it. What’s going on?”

Wendy replied, “Frank, I just think we need to make some changes here. As you

know, there have been some prob—”

Frank cut her off, shouting, “You little bitch, you can’t do this to me! I’ll get you!”

He rose from his chair and started screaming and cursing. Wendy gave her secretary a

prearranged signal; the secretary went to the outer office and called the police.

About five minutes later, two police officers arrived. Frank, who had continued

to shout and act in a menacing fashion, calmed down a bit when the police came

into the room. Wendy explained the situation to the police, then looked at Frank.

“Since you no longer are employed by Johnson Properties,” she said, “you will

have to give up the apartment. I will pay you through the end of next week; but I

want you out of the apartment by then. I also want your master keys.”

The last remarks reignited Frank’s anger and he began to scream and curse at

Wendy again. After a minute or so, the police officers moved closer to Frank and

told him that he should leave the office and return to his apartment. Each officer

carefully reached for one of Frank’s arms. Frank realized his condition, threw the

master keys on the desk in front of Wendy, and turned to leave. The police escorted

him to his apartment, which was located on the opposite side of the first-floor lobby

and main elevators. He continued shouting as he walked down the hall, and as he

entered his apartment, he began shouting directly at the police and making threats.

The police returned to Wendy’s office and suggested that they stay for a few min-

utes to see what would happen. Wendy was thankful. Sure enough, about five min-

utes later, Frank walked into the hallway and began shouting threats and curses

toward the main office.

Case 47: Caught in the Act

249

Case 47 (continued)

By this time, several tenants had been present at various points during this

episode. They noticed the police escorting Frank or heard Frank screaming and,

quite naturally, were concerned. To ensure everyone’s safety, the police remained

on the scene for another half hour and cautioned Frank about his outbursts before

they left.

CASE QUESTION

What actions should Wendy take now? Describe what steps Wendy should take

with regards to

• Frank;

• the tenants; and

• herself.