Conflict at MRW: The new employee's pregnancy

MRW is a courier firm based in Barcelona (Spain). In 2010, it was consolidating internationalization of its business. It is against this background that the case raises a highly sensitive, emotional issue: What to do about Sonia, a recently-hired manager (still in her probationary period) who suddenly reveals that she is pregnant. Moreover, her pregnancy is a high-risk one, likely requiring an early medical leave. The new manager¿s post involves setting up Information Technology (IT) systems, which are vital to the firm¿s business, internationalization and invoicing. `The case explores two standpoints: (1) a company weathering the economic crisis, in which it is contrary to the firm¿s `belt-tightening¿ measures to hire a replacement for an employee on leave; (2) the company¿s track record in the CSR field including its promotion of opportunities for women.