Poor Decision

Introduction

I have analyzed a poor decision that I have made on the job in which the results of that decision making turned out poorly. I am preparing this analysis because my supervisor is concerned and wants to make sure that I learned from my mistake(s) so that the likelihood of the same mistake happening again is minimal. In my analysis of this decision I will describe the decision, the negative consequences of the decision, and its relative importance to you as the decision maker. I will then conclude with how this analysis of this decision helps me to make better decisions in the future.

My Analysis

It was supper time at a long-term care facility when this decision occurred. I was assigned to my feeder table to feed my residents. One such resident loved to spit her food out quite frequently. Now mind you this is a person that can understand what you're saying and can also communicate back with you if she wants to. She was spitting food at other residents at the table and of course me since I was sitting right next to her. My first thought was "nasty" and "gross". My second thought was "this is not good for the rest of the people at this table" including me. Then out of my mouth came nicely and politely like always "(addressed by name) please stop spitting your food that is nasty". Then here comes some woman out of nowhere and said in front of everyone "You can not talk to her that way she does not understand you"! Then the argument was on and needless to say I kept my cool but this woman decided I could clock out and go on home which in my field means you're fired. This decision to ask this person not to spit cost me my job. It hurt the residents more than it did me and that is what people in this field don't really understand.

I did think initially of two different words when making my decision. I think the woman was more upset that I used the word "nasty" instead of a nicer word. In reality it was very nasty to me and I was very concerned about the others safety. One theory that comes to mind when I think about this decision is the subjective expected utility theory. It was a personal probability outcome that occurred (Plous, 1993). The personal probability was me getting fired. Another theory that comes to mind when I think about this decision is the prospect theory. There is a gain and a loss from making such a decision (Plous, 1993). The gain is I don't have to put up with other subordinates having a big head. The loss was my wages and of course a loss for the residents of knowing a familiar face who actually cared about them. One more theory comes to mind when I think about this decision is the regret theory. I did not really look at all the alternatives