In the last one week, May and Phyllis have been putting in extra hours at work so that the project assigned to them by their manager is completed well within time. Though the manager was due to assign two more people for this project, he had not done so. As a result, May and Phyllis, who were having to do double their routine workload, went and complained to the division manager. May was promptly suspended from work for complaining about her immediate supervisor. This represents the operation of ________ power.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The manager's decision to suspend May for complaining about her immediate supervisor represents the use of coercive power, which is the power to impose negative consequences or punishments. The manager is punishing May for speaking out, which is an attempt to exert control over her behavior and discourage others from doing the same. This is a misuse of power and can create a hostile work environment.

In the Last One Week, May and Phyllis Have Been