ABSTRACT
Bob Marvin, president of Motor Parts Corporation (MPC), feels a great deal of conflict and frustration about how to deal with the behavior of one of his vice presidents, Al Shepherd. Al’s wife, Ruth, has recently had a recurrence of a malignant brain tumor, and Al is spending more and more time away from work to be with her. Bob believes that Al’s increasing absence from work and his preoccupation with his wife’s illness is causing Al’s performance to suffer. In addition, Bob thinks Al’s behavior is beginning to affect the morale and performance of others who work with Al. Bob is even beginning to question Al’s commitment to the organization.
