Mary Malone
This disguised case is about a woman who faces a hard choice in her
career and family life. Mary Malone, an associate professor at the
Adams School of Government, has been offered the job of executive
deputy commissioner in the Old York State Department of Social
Services, a position that manages an $11 billion budget, 5,000
employees, and the overall operation of the agency. The job means
valuable managerial experience in a major government agency, but it
would also mean taking a leave of absence at a time when she would be
under consideration for tenure at the Adams School. If granted tenure,
she would be the first woman at the school to be appointed full
professor. In addition, the Old York job means a commuter marriage, a
prospect Malone's husband views with displeasure. The case concludes
with Malone confronting a career decision that seems certain to have a
major impact on her life. It is intended to foster discussion of
complex issues of career and family life, particularly as they relate
to understanding behavior in large bureaucracies and organizations.
Mary Malone, 7pp, (C16-85-645.0)
