EMPLOYER SHOULD RECOGNIZE FAMILY-TIME NEED.Byline: Ken Lloyd On the Job Q I am a young salaried professional, and I am concerned about the long hours that I am putting in at work. As demanding as it is, I like my job, but I am stressed out because it is destroying my relationship with my fiance. I want both, but I am thinking that's impossible. What are your thoughts? S.A. A You may be able to have both, but unless you take some corrective action A corrective action is a change implemented to address a weakness identified in a management system. Normally corrective actions are instigated in response to a customer complaint, abnormal levels if internal nonconformity, nonconformities identified during an internal audit or now, you may end up with neither. The demands of your job are creating difficulties with the significant other in your personal life, and those difficulties can lead to significant productivity problems at work. Many upward-striving individuals never tell anyone at work that their job is hurting other commitments in their lives, as they fear being labeled as weak. However, submissiveness sub·mis·sive adj. Inclined or willing to submit. sub·mis  sive·ly adv.sub·mis is a far greater sign of weakness. There are companies that understand this type of situation and have implemented work/life programs that seriously support and encourage employees to put some balance in their lives. These companies have flexibility in terms of their hours, support for family-friendly policies, travel benefits for partners/spouses, and the like. Although they may implement these kinds of programs because they are caring employers, they also recognize that there are costly outcomes when employees fall into the stress cycle that you have entered. It is time for you to honestly assess the priorities in your life and consider discussing your concerns with management. The discussion should include some suggestions regarding the ways to introduce more work/life balance, and the benefits associated with doing so. If you are subsequently labeled as a weak employee, then you are in a weak organization. Q I work in the Human Resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. Department of a large corporation. There are four of us, three females (myself being one) and one male. Our boss gives us many projects with unreasonable deadlines, doesn't help with the work, but takes all the credit. She just bought a new house, so she is gone a lot. We work 60-plus hours every week, but our male co-worker only works around 40. The president is completely snowed by our boss, but one of the vice presidents is slowly becoming aware of the problem. If we go over our boss's head, we fear retribution RETRIBUTION. 1. That which is given to another to recompense him for what has been received from him; as a rent for the hire of a house. 2. A salary paid to a person for his services. 3. The distribution of rewards and punishments. . Would you please make some suggestions? J.K. A For a Human Resources Department, there certainly does not seem to be much focus on humans or resources. It is truly commendable com·mend tr.v. com·mend·ed, com·mend·ing, com·mends 1. To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend. 2. To express approval of; praise. See Synonyms at praise. 3. that you were able to meet any deadlines at all. The first step for you and any of your equally dissatisfied dis·sat·is·fied adj. Feeling or exhibiting a lack of contentment or satisfaction. dis·sat is·fied associates is to meet with this boss. Present specific examples of the
issues that you regard as unfair, inappropriate or dissatisfying. And,
for each such issue, present a plan of correction.
You can conclude the meeting by saying that you hope the problem will end here, as you do not wish to go to senior management with it. If your boss continues to mismanage mis·man·age tr.v. mis·man·aged, mis·man·ag·ing, mis·man·ag·es To manage badly or carelessly. mis·man age·ment n. the group, you should approach the one
vice president who is starting to see the light. You need to turn that
light into a spotlight by letting him see the costs of what is going on.
Be sure to mention your fears of retaliation RETALIATION. The act by which a nation or individual treats another in the same manner that the latter has treated them. For example, if a nation should lay a very heavy tariff on American goods, the United States would be justified in return in laying heavy duties on the manufactures and for speaking with him, and
conclude by asking for his help. Unless he specializes in being
clueless clue·less adj. Lacking understanding or knowledge. clueless Adjective Slang helpless or stupid Adj. 1. , he will provide it. Q Our manager tells us that fear is the greater motivator. He threatens to write us up, give us poor reviews, hold back our raises, and terminate those who are not up to his standards. I don't think fear is a great motivator at all, but I am working hard. Does he have something? T.C. A The only thing that your manager has is incredible lack of understanding of management. Certainly, fear can motivate. When a manager walks into the office and threatens to terminate anyone who does not obey Obey can refer to:
The reality is that virtually every study on the effectiveness of fear as a motivator finds that its motivational impact is short term at best. It is just a matter of time before the employees start to respond with resistance, rebellion Rebellion Absalom conspires to overthrow father, David. [O.T.: II Samuel 15:10–18:33] Bastille Day celebration of day Paris mob stormed prison; first outbreak of French Revolution (1789). [Fr. Hist. and retaliation. Your manager has totally missed the concept of treating the employees as individuals and trying to link their needs and objectives to departmental or organizational objectives, and this is at the heart of motivation. As a footnote Text that appears at the bottom of a page that adds explanation. It is often used to give credit to the source of information. When accumulated and printed at the end of a document, they are called "endnotes." , since employees tend to learn many of their managerial skills from their prior managers, it will be particularly important for you to avoid emulating this manager's style. Using fear as a motivator can be effective on a short-term basis, but it is ultimately most effective at motivating people to leave. |
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