Case 8 Sick Leave (Essay Sample)

Case 8 Sick Leave
Author’s Name
University Affiliation
Case 8 Sick Leave
Emerging Disputes
Case 8 provides a detailed almost or factual case, which often happens in real life situations. While working abroad subjects one to a considerable amount of pressure, the case provides individuals who have had prior interaction with the emerging Japanese culture. Even their prior interactions have made it clear that, they had still much to learn about the Japanese culture, mainly on aspects concerning work. Transitioning in diverse culture, especially when one is working, can be hard. Through the hardship, one is exposed to significant issues, which harden them, and help them become one of the people. In simple terms, they identify with the culture and are integrated with the culture as if it were theirs. The case, additionally, provides significant knowledge, in that, different countries have their ways of doing things, and one cannot assume or bring along some of their country’s values to another country. Regardless of culture, it is my suggestion that, the world should have some form of uniformity, which considers all cultures, but has common factors or laws, to avoid possible conflicts (Stuart, 2014).
Kelly
In Japan, there are different work procedures in different countries across the world, which all foreigners willing to work there are to follow. This is the norm anywhere across the world (Stuart, 2014). As such, the move aims at protecting countries or individuals from imposing their values to other countries, which is a violation. This is the predicament, which Kelly found herself. Clearly, even after the provision of the Contract of English Teaching Engagement, it is clear that, Kelly had not understood the details in entirety. This is because the arising dispute arises due to a probable misunderstanding of the provided provisions on the contract.
Kelly’s medical issue could not be classified as a "serious illness or injury resulting in an acknowledged inability to work." Under such a circumstance, therefore, an employee qualified to utilize his/her special holidays. Considering Kelly’s condition, it is clear that she had not qualified for the special holiday, and that is why, under the Japanese work laws, she was to sign a two-day paid leave. The refusal to sign the paid leave was another problem, and Kelly goes further to comment that, the regulation only applied to Japanese workers, and because she was Canadian, she preferred following the Canadian regulations on work ("Case 8: Sick Leave”).
Mr. Higashi
For Mr. Higashi, he is only following the rules under the Japanese country. However, Kelly has perceived Mr. Higashi as unreasonable, due to his strict observance of the law. For example, when Kelly calls him to report her sickness, she becomes annoyed because Mr. Higashi requested her to come with a doctor’s note. In fact, his request coincides with the details of the contract. When the accountant brought in paid leave certificates for Kelly to sign, Kelly went to Mr. Higashi for clarity because she felt it was wrong. To her surprise, Mr. Higashi approved that, Kelly was supposed to sign the papers, which is the source of dispute. While Kelly feels that, it is likely that the approval by Mr. Higashi arises due to his personal problem with Kelly, I beg to differ, and suggest that there is no dispute, and Kelly imagines the existing dispute.
Status of the Dispute
Considering the aspects of the emerging conflict, it is impossible to solve it or rather to reach a compromise. This is because the two conflicting sides have two different perceptions, and they are likely not to agree. From Mr. Higashi’s side, he is only abiding with the norms and regulations in Japan, whereas, Kelly perceives it as awkward, and they should let her do thing the Canadian way (Stuart, 2014). Personally, Kelly’s point of view is not reachable and owing to this, I feel that, it is impossible to reach a compromise. Similarly, a compromise is hard to reach because, there are no warring parties, in that; one party is only following, laid down work regulations, whereas the other is trying to reject the regulations to suit their needs ("Case 8: Sick Leave”).
Communication Challenges
Apparently, Kelly was proficient in the Japanese language; however, this does not make him aware of the Japanese culture and beliefs. Some of the cultural conflicts arising are central to the manner in which Japanese talk. Their way of talking might be perceived as rude. Therefore, speaking Japanese does not guarantee that, probabilities of language barriers are non-existent. In this case, for example, when Kelly approached Mr. Higashi with the matter of sick day leave, Mr. Higashi simply said he had an important meeting to attend; hence, he could attend to the matter later ("Case 8: Sick Leave”). In this situation, Kelly fails to understand that, the Japanese are to a greater degree loyal to their employer; hence, everything they did, they had to honor their work obligations first. The same, to some extent, presents communication failure, but more so, Kelly should have understood Mr. Higashi’s situation. On many occasions, however, Kelly portrays communication challenges, in that; he is not respectful, even when Mr. Higashi talks to him politely. For example, he depicts anger, when he...