300 Words for the first post, and 100 words for all three replies. Make sure to add the names in your replies!
For EACH of the following three scenarios, prepare a summary describing how you would handle the situation as an IT Security Manager. Your summary should address the following questions:
- Primary Considerations: What are the key factors you need to consider?
- Action Plan: What steps should you take? Describe your course of action in detail.
- Justification: Explain and justify your chosen approach.
- Disciplinary Action: If applicable, include any disciplinary actions that might be required.
Scenario 1: Inappropriate Workplace Appearance
Scenario:
You are an IT Security Manager at a leading cybersecurity firm. Jesse, a Senior Security Analyst, comes to you with concerns about one of the junior analysts, Alex. Alex arrived at work today with a new tattoo on his forearm. The tattoo is a graphic depiction of a large red devil consuming a rat, prominently displayed on his arm. Jesse and his supervisor (the Director of Cybersecurity) are worried that this tattoo might be offensive to clients and other team members, particularly during face-to-face meetings or video conferences where professionalism is paramount. They want you to address the situation.
Scenario 2: Office Romance and Team Dynamics
Scenario:
You are an IT Security Manager at a prominent tech firm specializing in cybersecurity solutions. John is the Lead Security Architect who manages a team of IT Security Analysts. He approaches you with a concern regarding an office romance. Marcy, one of the Incident Response Specialists, has recently started dating Drew, a Junior Security Analyst. Although the company does NOT have a policy prohibiting workplace relationships, other team members have reported that Marcy and Drew have been “too affectionate” at work. There are rumors of them being seen holding hands in the office and kissing in the server room while working late on a project. As an Incident Response Specialist, Marcy can delegate certain tasks to the Security Analysts though none of those employees report directly to Marcy. Some team members believe that Marcy is giving Drew preferential treatment, such as assigning him the most interesting and high-profile tasks. John seeks your guidance on how to manage this delicate situation while maintaining team morale and fairness.
Scenario 3: Unreliable Attendance and Team Impact
Scenario:
You are an IT Security Manager at a large financial institution. Sidney, one of your Security Analysts, has recently shown a troubling pattern of absenteeism. Sidney has been calling in sick at the last minute, particularly on Mondays and Fridays. The dates include Monday, January 22; Monday, January 29; Friday, February 9; and Friday, February 16. This pattern has caused a strain on the rest of your team, as they have had to cover for Sidney’s workload, leading to complaints about feeling overworked and stressed. You are also aware that Sidney was in rehabilitation last year for alcohol dependency. Sidney has exhausted her sick leave, so her recent absences are being recorded as unpaid leave. You need to decide how to address this situation, considering both Sidney’s personal history and the impact on the team.
