SHARING CAN COST TIME, MONEY.Byline: KEN LLOYD On the Job Q Whenever one certain person uses the computer assigned as·sign tr.v. as·signed, as·sign·ing, as·signs 1. To set apart for a particular purpose; designate: assigned a day for the inspection. 2. to me, I can count on it not working right afterward af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. Adv. 1. afterward - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently"; "he's going to the store but he'll be back here . He claims that he doesn't does·n't Contraction of does not. change anything, but that can't be true. We're we're Contraction of we are. we're we are supposed to share computers when necessary, and this is becoming a big problem. My manager tells me to work it out with him, but I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how. R.P. A Something about this situation does not compute Does not compute, and variations on it, was a phrase often spoken by computers, robots and other artificial intelligences in science fiction works of the 1960s to 1980s. The phrase indicated cognitive dissonance on the part of the device, conventionally leading to its . This is either an incredible coincidence Coincidence is the noteworthy alignment of two or more events or circumstances without obvious causal connection. The word is derived from the Latin co- ("in", "with", "together") and incidere ("to fall on"). , or your colleague is knowingly or unknowingly jumbling your computer. There can be any number of explanations behind this. For example, assuming that your associate did, in fact, do some tweaking tweaking Vox populi Fine-tuning to produce optimal results , he may view it as so minor that he hardly remembers it, or he may be embarrassed about making changes and not knowing how to unchange them, or perhaps he is sabotaging you. At this point, let him clearly know that you do not want him to make any changes whatsoever to your system. If possible, periodically take a look at what he is doing while using your computer. When he is done, do not let him leave until you check out how it works. If the problem continues, let your manager know how much of your time is being wasted by the current sharing arrangement, and then suggest that your tweaking associate either share someone else's computer or be assigned his own. Try to show your manager how this approach will help you, your department, and your computer work better. Q After working with the company several months, an employee that I supervised su·per·vise tr.v. su·per·vised, su·per·vis·ing, su·per·vis·es To have the charge and direction of; superintend. [Middle English *supervisen, from Medieval Latin went to my boss to give notice and was promoted over me. I have been with the company more than 15 years. My boss stated that it was a move to get some fresh ideas. What should my next move be? M.R. A It's it's 1. Contraction of it is. 2. Contraction of it has. See Usage Note at its. it's it is or it has it's be ~have great to seek fresh ideas, but waiting for employees to give notice and then promoting them over their own supervisors is not exactly the way to do it. When a company makes a move like this, it sends several questionable messages. For example, it tells employees that if they would like to be promoted, they should give notice. At the same time, the message to the supervisors is that their loyalty and dedication basically count for nothing. Most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , the message to you is that your performance and growth do not qualify you for promotion. On the one hand, is it possible that management is correct and you need to seriously think about building your knowledge base and skills? If you honestly believe that you are qualified for the next level of supervision and were passed by a lower level employee whose only fresh idea was to give notice, then management is actually giving you notice, at least of your lack of promotability. You should meet with your manager to discuss what it will take for you to advance in this company. If you find that you're hitting a brick ceiling, perhaps another company would appreciate your fresh ideas. Q I have worked at my job on the night shift for two years. Seven months ago, two people were transferred to my warehouse. The company recently closed a warehouse and sent a supervisor here who is related to those two employees. Since a supervisor is not allowed to supervise relatives, they were moved to the first shift, and I've been wanting to do that for two years. I've spoken to 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. about this and they just tell me that's the way it goes. What can I do? T.G. A When a human resource representative looks at your work situation and says, ``That's the way it goes,'' that sounds neither human nor like much of a resource. That kind of reaction actually tells you a great deal about the company itself. Your desire to move to the day shift is certainly something to discuss with human resources, but you should not do so as part of a conversation in which you complain about the movement of other employees to that shift. Rather, in such a meeting, make it very clear that you want to move to the next open spot on the day shift, and then indicate that you would like to know exactly what you have to do to make this happen. You should have this same discussion with your supervisor. The next step is for you to follow whatever advice they give you, and make sure that they know you are doing so. Then, when a slot on the day shift opens, you will know exactly where you stand with this company. If you are still denied a day shift position, perhaps it is time to think about shifting companies. |
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