Employee Relations in Times of Uncertainty

Abstract

Sport managers are required to handle times of uncertainty by managing their employees effectively and working to ensure that the objectives of the organization can be maintained. This case follows the fictional Harrison Hornets AA baseball team through the COVID-19 pandemic and how their chief executive officer/chief operating officer, Rachel Chambers, manages the front office employees. The employer/employee interactions in this case demonstrate the challenges faced by managers attempting to balance things they can and cannot control. In working through the case, students become aware of consequences stemming from specific choices, the struggles managers face when dealing with varying personalities, and issues of inequality that arise when working with diverse stakeholders. The broadness of the narrative provides instructor latitude on implementation for a variety of courses and modes of student participation. The teaching notes provide multiple options to expand beyond the case itself, including research and information literacy tasks that can develop student skills.