Dear Roze:
I’m not sure why my boss, the general manager, is slowly taking away my responsibilities. I handle all the admin things for our office, but in the past eight months, she’s been doing some of them or having one of the area managers do them. She never tells me she’s taking away my work. I find out when I’m in a meeting with her and the managers or I overhear a manager talking about having been tasked. She’s not easy to talk to unless you’re telling her something she wants to hear. She has a reputation for demanding things be done her way. I’m beginning to wonder if she’s fazing me out, but that seems unlikely since I’m our office’s only admin person and the proposed budget has my salary in it. I’m not sure what to do because of the way she is. Any suggestions?
Struggling with shrinking responsibilities
Dear Struggling with shrinking responsibilities:
I understand your reservations, but I suggest that you meet with your boss as soon as possible to determine your employment status. Before you have this meeting, do an honest self-assessment of your performance, identifying your strengths and accomplishments as well as your weaknesses and shortcomings. Hopefully, your boss will be open and honest with you. Regardless of whether she is forthcoming or not, assure her that you can and will work immediately on the areas needing improvement.
Dear Roze:
I have an old colleague who is similar to a name dropper, but instead of dropping names, she lets it be known that only people in management positions are worthy of her time except for when she is in need of administrative support. Her superior attitude repulses me. It’s as if she’s saying that anyone not in management is beneath her and not as valuable to the organization. I thought she was a better person than that. We used to work in the same office, but we’re in different ones now. I’m debating as to whether or not I should say something to her. What do you think?
Done with management snob
Dear Done with management snob:
You have more knowledge of who your colleague is, what she is all about, and the nature of your relationship with her than I do. I only know what you communicated in your email to me. If you can determine that saying something to her will be well received and can make a positive difference in her behavior, then talk to her. I understand that her behavior disgusts you, but do not let that cause you to lose your cool. Maintain your professionalism.
Dear Roze:
I’m sick and tired of not getting any acknowledgment or confirmation when I email an answer to a person’s question sent to me via email. It makes no sense. If I was asked a question over the phone and gave the person an answer, they wouldn’t hang up without acknowledging my response. Similarly, when I meet with someone in person and give them some information, that person acknowledges it. They don’t just walk away. Am I asking for too much?
Email etiquette needed
Dear Email etiquette needed:
You will not get any push back from me! I am a huge advocate of individuals handling their email communications professionally, meaning that they acknowledge receipt, respond to all the content in the messages, and that they do these things in a timely manner. Bottom line, address everyone’s emails the way you want everyone to address yours.
© 2010 Rozanne R. Worrell
