3 Scenarios

Foundational Scenario

You are a group of unpaid interns in a fifty-year-old, family-owned printing company with a core group of thirty employees. You work in administration, and report to the same Office Manager, Chris. Your contract is coming to an end, but traditionally those interns who have done well are offered full-time employment. Times are tough, and you’d all like to find stable, well-paid employment, with opportunities for career advancement. Your group is on a break together, as has become a tradition for the past six months you’ve worked together. Today is particularly exciting as it is your last day.

Determine who will portray Employee #1, #2, #3 and #4. Ensure the facilitator knows who is playing which role.

Warm-up Exercise for all three scenarios

Decide what role you, as an intern, might play in the company (e.g., accounts receivable, shipping, contracts, inventory, human resources, etc.). Once you decide the roles, use your actual first names, but introduce yourselves as if you are meeting for the first time. Provide a brief history of your experience in your chosen role. Ask general background questions of each other.

Scenario 1

Warm-up recommended before starting.

It’s Friday and the last day of your internship. You’re on coffee break together. Discuss your weekend plans individually and as a group. Consider any texts you receive individually and decide how you will proceed.

Considerations:

• Whom do you tell, if anyone?
• If you opt to reply to any communications, how will you word the message?

For facilitator

Communicate as the boss with Employee #1: “Hi. It’s Chris. I’d like to discuss your future with the company. Drinks after work today?”

Let the discussion go for a few minutes then send the following communication as the boss to Employee #3: “Hi, this is Chris. I’m concerned about your behaviour today. I think we can work it out over dinner this weekend. Need to know now.”

Watch an Example with Learners of Scenario 1 in the Video below

Scenario 2

Warm-up recommended before starting, unless it has already been done during the session.

It’s Friday and the last day of your internship. You’re on coffee break together. Discuss your weekend plans individually and as a group. Consider any texts you receive individually and decide how you will proceed.

Considerations:

• Whom do you tell, if anyone?
• If you opt to reply to any communications, how will you word the message?

For facilitator

These messages can play to or against traditional binary gender roles. Communicate as the boss with Employee #2: “Hey, it’s Chris. Just tell the guys I’m taking you and them out tonight to celebrate. No gals allowed. OR “Hey, it’s Chris. Just tell the gals I’m taking you and them out tonight to celebrate. No guys allowed.”

Watch an Example with Learners of Scenario 2 in the Video below

Scenario 3

Warm-up recommended before starting, unless it has already been done during the session.

It’s Friday and the last day of your internship. You’re on coffee break together. Discuss your weekend plans individually and as a group. Consider any texts you receive individually and decide how you will proceed.

Considerations:

• Whom do you tell, if anyone?
• If you opt to reply to any communications, how will you word the message?

For facilitator

Communicate as the boss to Employee #4: “It’s Chris. No need to finish the accounts. I’ll get one of the interns to stay late. If they hope to return they’ll do what I say. Besides, those people are good at math and it won’t take them long.”

Let the discussion go for a few minutes then send the following communication as the boss to Employee #4: “Oops. Sorry, I sent that last message to the wrong person. Don’t share with anyone as this is confidential and puts you at risk.”

Watch an Example with Learners of Scenario 3 in the Video below