| Abstract [eng] |
This real-life case explores the resignation of Julia Schneider,a single parent employee, which reveals deeper tensions between work expectations, caregiving responsibilities, and organisational practices at Valent Hausverwaltung, a resource-constrained small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Germany. While the company takes pride in its responsiveness and dedication to client service, its informal work arrangements and constant availability expectations create a managerial dilemma: how to sustain service reliability and operational efficiency while accommodating employees with primary caregiving responsibilities. Moving beyond an individual situation, the case illustrates how work–life balance is translated in SMEs, where informal practices often substitute for formal policies. It highlights issues of fairness and inclusion, while emphasising the agency and constraints of small firms in shaping everyday work practices. The case invites learners to analyse an urgent managerial dilemma involving job design and work expectations in relation to employee work–life balance. |
