Elis and Phoebe work at United Insurance, a medium-sized insurance company with 240
branches in eight states. Elis works as a teller. Phoebe works as one of five regional
supervisors, each of whom is expected to supervise a team of tellers. Elis recently received
instructions from her supervisor that all tellers will be evaluated on the number of people
they assist at their window per day. Serving more customers means higher performance
effectiveness. However, Elis is also expected to follow the bank’s number-one goal of
customer satisfaction. Phoebe on the other hand is facing a difficult situation. Two of the
regional supervisors left the bank for other opportunities resulting in significant increase in
the work responsibility and time pressure for Phoebe and the remaining two supervisors.
The bank hired Jason as a trainee for the supervisor position. Two days into his new job,
he was asked to take up all the responsibilities of a regional supervisor. Jason was given
very few instructions or guidelines about how things are supposed to be done. He was
expected to learn on the job.
Elis, unable to meet both types of expectations associated with her role, is facing _____.