Critical Thinking

Scenario 6: Critical Thinking

            Problem-solving refers to the process of tactical handling of challenges. It is one of the key pillars of the management policy. If problems are solved promptly, and correctly, they provide a way to a better sense of control regarding an issue (Hickson & Khemka, 2013).This question is asking what someone will do when faced with a problem. How will the individual reach a solution? What steps do you take to reaching the solution? When solving a problem, it is important to use a well thought out step by step approach. A six-step method of problem-solving has been suggested to be used in solving problems. In this assignment, the six-step method will be used to address the problem in scenario 6. In this scenario, the person has to choose between staying in a job where he can further his studies or move to another job to increase his finances. The purpose of this paper is to present a synthesis of the ideas to be used in solving the problem in scenario 6 using the six-step method.

Scenario 6

“You have been working for your organization for close to eleven years. You have decided to return to college to further your studies and acquire a Bachelor’s degree that will enable you to increase your chances for any incoming promotion. You are almost through with your bachelor’s degree when the position of supervisor in a competing organization is made available but in another state. The starting date is scheduled in close to two weeks’ time; this is also the time scheduled for the final exam of your course. The position comes with a remuneration of $15,000 annual salary hike, relocation allowances, and a motor. Your previous f supervisor happens to work for the organization and by your previous outstanding performance recommends you for the position. If you wish to have the job, it’s all yours. All the employees at the supervisory level have reached the master level of their education. Thus you are expected to acquire your first degree to proceed to the master level. Your former company has a culture of reimbursing of the tuition, but this organization does not practice that on its employees who choose to advance their studies.” (Problem Solving, on Week 9)

Step 1: Define the Problem in that Scenario

            In this scenario, the problem is that the employee has worked with a company for 11 years. Another opportunity for a job has presented itself to a competing company in another state. His current company has allowed him to further his studies and acquire a bachelor’s degree. The person is now being offered a position by a company which is paying more financially than his current company. However, this new company is not offering other incentives such as education that his current is offering to him. In this new company, a master’s degree is required to be considered for the job. The new company does not provide education incentives being provided by his current employer. This hurts the employee’s chances of educational advancement. The company also will pay him more as compared to his current company. The problem in this scenario is between education advancement and financial increase.

Step2: Analyzing the problem in the scenario

            This employee has worked for a company for 11 years. He has devoted his efforts towards ensuring he performs well. His performance has also been acknowledged by his former supervisor who is now a supervisor in the new company. He has worked and acquired a bachelor’s degree which he intends to further his advancement in the company in a good way. His current company wants to reward his commitment by recommending him for the job in the new company. The employee is pleased with the company’s efforts of wanting to help him advance. However, he is hesitant because the new company in as much as it is paying a good salary, it does not offer the educational advancements for its employees. The employee should, therefore, analyze these moves and how they can be good or bad to him. First, he has not fully completed his current degree, and this new job wants him to move within the next two weeks. If he accepts the new job, his graduation date might be postponed to another date. Thus, he might not have his bachelor’s degree at the right time. Further, accepting the job might cause him to lose tuition incentives that his current company is offering him. As a result, he will be forced to pay using his money, and this can be a burden to him. A chance for advancing in another company might come again, but leaving his current company would not be good due to the education incentives he is receiving. The aspects to analyzed and considered are cost of living and financial stability.

Step 3: Generating options for solving the problem

            The possible options available for the person to choose from in this scenario would be the person, first of all, to ask the new company if they can delay his start date. This will give him time to complete his bachelor’s degree. Thus, he will enter the job with full credentials. If the company agrees to his request, he will have ample time to find out more about the company. The second option would be the employee to speak with his new company if they support him in his education advancement. It could be they offer such opportunities once an employee accepts the job offer. Similarly, it could be something that can be agreed upon between the management of the company and the employee. The third option would be the person to consult with his current employers if they can raise his pay.  This is possible since he has been employed by the company for 11 years and the company has also approved his performance to be great. The company might buy into this idea because he has been such a great asset to the company.

Step 4: Evaluating the options

            The first option was for the new company to delay his reporting date. If the new company agrees to this, he will have ample time to finish his degree. Thus it will enable him to start his new job with completion certificates. Having enough time, he will research the company and find out more about its financial stability. Also, he will have the time to budget for his finances so that he is sure he is making the right choice. In as much as he will be earning more money, he might not be sure about the stability of the new company. He is not sure whether he will last longer in this company or he might end up losing his job. If the new company does not support his idea of supporting his educational advancement, he might consider paying for his studies using his money. Similarly, he could consider staying at his current company if the company agrees to offer him some form of a pay rise.

Step 5: Choosing the best option

            The better choice would be determined after he has analyzed and evaluated all the aspects of the choices.  This will help him to choose whether he wants to move to the new job or stay in his current job. In this scenario, the best choice would be for the employee to remain in his current job and ask for a pay rise from his current employer. This is so because he is not aware of what to expect in the new company. Furthermore, his current company also offers education incentives which are not being provided by the new company.

Step 6: Implementing the decision

            It will be easy for the employee to implement his decision if he decides to stay in his current job. After weighing the options, and asking his current employer for a pay rise, he should consider the advantages that he will get when he decides to stay with his new company. He will have the time to complete his degree on time and perhaps starts his master’s degree.                     

References

Hickson, L., & Khemka, I. (2013). Problem solving and decision making. The Oxford handbook of positive psychology and disability, 198-225.