Question: “My boss wants me to research all-day team-building activities that, in her words, will ‘make people suffer a little.’ Her theory is that we all need to have our cushy office lifestyles totally stripped away to kick us out of our comfort zones and remind us of how to work together on a more human level. What have been others’ experiences with these sorts of ‘pleasantly harsh’ activities, as she refers to them? What should we try, and what should we avoid?” – Donna, law office admin [Read more…]
Is Profanity In The Office Tolerable or Terror?
This month our question from our friends at Business Management Daily.
Question: “I am an administrative assistant at a very large company and my cubicle is right outside the door of one of the directors. He happens to loudly use a particular common curse word whenever he’s frustrated. I cringe every time I sense it coming. In most cases I try to scurry away from my desk so I don’t have to hear it, but sometimes I do get caught off guard. Do you have any suggestions for how I can deal with this, or approach the problem directly?” – Anonymous & Frustrated [Read more…]
My Coworkers Appear Frustrated with My Disability
It’s just a common, minor handicap–so why does it frustrate staff so much?
Question: “I wear a hearing aid, but still I often have the need to ask co-workers to repeat things. They all know about my handicap but naturally they don’t always remember to speak a little louder until I ask them to. I sense that a lot of them find it very aggravating to have to repeat sentences when they talk to me, and sometimes I get a polite ‘Oh, never mind, it’s not that important,’ which is very frustrating. I wonder why people don’t have a little more patience with this disability, and what I can do to adapt and not get on their nerves.” – Miranda, Digital Archivist [Read more…]
Does a Performance Improvement Plan Mean You’re Getting Fired?
A post from our friends at The Admin Pro Forum and Business Management Daily has generated a lively discussion with mixed views on whether an employee put on a performance improvement plan is on a slow road to nowhere or if it means opportunity lies ahead with a little effort and a bright outlook.What are your thoughts?Is a performance improvement plan the end of opportunity?
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in ADMIN PRO FORUM
in ADMIN PRO FORUM
For the full discussion visit: Business Management Daily.
When the boss gets the wrong impression, is there a limit to how hard you should try to fix it?
Question: “I recently had a performance review in which a couple of the things that were said about me were simply untrue. These comments took me completely by surprise, and I realize that in defending myself I probably came off as whiny and was very ineffective. Only now that a week has gone by do I realize exactly what I should have said, and how I should have said it. I got my raise and a decent overall mark, so is it just too late now to state my case? In going back over old ground, would I only make myself look worse no matter if the facts are on my side?” – May, Clerical Trainer [Read more…]
Recovering From Mistakes At Work
