The Management Training Tool Kit
40
American Management Association / www.amanet.org
Case Discussion:
Mary Corey
Summary
Helen Rowe supervised the Customer Support Department for Statewide Services Corporation. Over
the past six months, one of Helen’s top performers, Mary Corey, had fallen into a situation of poor
performance. In looking through her personnel folder, Helen reconstructed the history of Mary’s
decline, which follows.
About six months ago, at Christmastime, Mary began taking longer lunch breaks. When Helen
made some comments, Mary was uncharacteristically defensive. Helen noticed that Mary fell asleep
at her desk on two occasions. Then, beginning in January, Mary occasionally came into work 10
to 20 minutes late or did not come in ...