Working Woman Role Play - 1

Boss
You are the manager of a successful department in the company, and you have been recognized and rewarded for being able to get great results from your employees. You have two very good workers, John and Mary. Until one year ago, their work was equal. Then, Mary took a ten-month maternity leave to have a baby. Since then, John has had to work extra hard. Now, Mary is back at work and also doing her best again. There is a higher position available that both John and Mary qualify for, but you can choose only one of them. You know John has been working hard, but you also know the company has a very strict policy against sexual discrimination.  Make your decision and explain it to John and Mary in a meeting.

John
You have had to work your way through college, paying your own tuition and bills all the way. You got your BA (undergraduate degree) and took a job with a good company. The work has been hard, but you’ve been very successful. The last year has been especially hard, since Mary, your coworker has been away on maternity leave, and you’ve had to take on some of her responsibilities, as well as your own. You’re hoping this will pay off, though, because you’ve heard of the possibility of a promotion in the near future.

Mary
You’ve been working at a good company since you graduated from university and have been quite successful. The company has been very supportive, allowing you a generous maternity leave, benefits, and other support. You met a great guy, married him, and last year you had your first baby. Now you’re back on the job, working hard, and very excited about the possibility of a promotion at work.

Working Woman Role Play - 2

Sheila
You have an MBA and are a successful account executive. You have worked hard at your company for several years and are looking forward to a promotion to a manager position. You don’t need the money, since your husband makes a very high salary, but the challenge and success at work is very important to you. You have taken a year off on a maternity leave to have your first child, so now that you are back at your job, you will need to work extra hard, possibly longer hours in the evening, taking work home, working some weekends, and even doing some business travel. You love your husband and child, but you love your job, too.

Frank
You are a successful partner in a law firm, making lots and lots of money. Even though you work long hours and on some weekends, you try to spend as much time at home as you can to help your wife. You have worked very hard to build up your law firm with your partners and have tried to be very supportive of your wife and her career. However, now the two of you have a baby and she’s returned to work. You are very surprised when she says she will need to be working harder and for longer hours at her job.