Reference no: EM132930755
A Unit Secretary at a hospital, who has limited patient contact, refuses to enter a patient floor. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, this Unit Secretary asserts that she should be issued proper personal protective equipment (PPE)--specifically a N-95 respirator--to prevent contracting COVID-19.
The Health and Safety Representative for the hospital has completed a risk assessment and determined that only nurses and medical providers need N-95 respirators. Unfortunately, the N-95 respirator supply is running low. This information about PPE supplies was shared with the Unit Secretary.
The Unit Secretary offers to complete her work in another area, which is free from patients. She is adamant that she will not enter the patient floor without an N-95 respirator because her safety cannot be guaranteed.
After much discussion, the Unit Secretary's supervisor has contacted you. The supervisor requests your assistance with writing up the employee due to her refusing to complete her work. The supervisor is noticeably angry and proceeds to complain about how the Unit Secretary is a "privileged Millennial" who does not want to work.
What is the root cause of this conflict?
What are the legal implications of this conflict?
What are the ethical implications of this conflict?
What are the diversity implications of this conflict?
How would you proceed with resolving this conflict? Why?