Retirement and Excellent Performance Reports

Human Resource Management (Fall 2013)
MGMT 351

CASE STUDY 2
I Feel Great

Les Partain, manager of the training and development department for Gazelle Corporation, was 64 years old and had been with the firm for over 30 years. For the past 12 years he had served as Gazelle’s training and development manager and felt that he had been doing a good job. This belief was supported by the fact that during the last five years he had received excellent performance reports from his boss, LaConya Caesar, HR director.
Six months before Les’s birthday, he and LaConya were enjoying a cup of coffee together. “Les,” said LaConya, “I know that you’re pleased with the progress our T&D section has made under your leadership. We’re really going to miss you when you retire this year. You’ll certainly live the good life because you’ll receive the maximum retirement benefits. If I can be of any assistance to you in developing the paperwork for your retirement, please let me know.”
“Gee, LaConya,” said Les. “I really appreciate the good words, but I’ve never felt better in my life, and although our retirement plan is excellent, I figure that I have at least five more good years. There are many other things I would like to do for the department before I retire. I have some excellent employees, and we can get many things done within the next five years.”
After finishing their coffee, both returned to their work. As LaConya left, she was thinking, “My gosh, I had no idea that character intended to hang on. The only reason I gave him those good performance appraisals was to make him feel better before he retired. He was actually only an average worker and I was anxious to move a more aggressive person into that key job. We stand to lose several good people in that department if Les doesn’t leave. From what they tell me, he’s not doing too much of a job.”

QUESTIONS
1. From a legal viewpoint, what do you believe LaConya can do regarding this situation?
Discuss.
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2. What actions should LaConya have taken in the past to avoid her current predicament?
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