ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270029
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Working It Out
SOURCE: CAMILLE WRIGHT MILLER
Q: I know I should give at least two weeks' notice that I'm quitting, but I'm afraid that when I do my employer will fire me immediately. I need the pay from the last two weeks and have no plans to use anyone here as a future reference. I don't think I owe these people anything. On the other hand, I don't want to do anything that will come back in my face later.
A: The general rule of thumb is to give one week's notice for each $10,000 of annual income. The rule primarily benefits employers since it takes about that long for them to recruit, interview and hire a replacement. Following the rule does benefit you, showing that you're a savvy employee who understands the work world.
Most employers won't rush to fire an exiting employee. Work still needs to be done until a replacement is found. If you are fired under such circumstances, you could be eligible for unemployment benefits. Your employer will resist causing that to happen.
Your fear of being punished for taking control of your work life suggests you need to work on both self-esteem and assertiveness skills. You have the right to change employment and should feel confident in that right. Talk with a counselor; your conversations could make very positive changes for your future.
Finally, the work world is astoundingly small. Evidence of how well, or poorly, you conduct yourself - even on how you leave - will follow you for some time.
Q: My staff takes 20 minutes to get going in the morning. I don't mind the activity around the coffee pot or the chatting, but the time seems excessive. I'd like them to get here on time, grab a cup of coffee, and get moving.
A: There's a need to shift thinking from home to work needs. For most, that takes a few minutes after arriving at work. Your employees also appear to want to re-establish working relationship after an overnight absence. Their conversations in the morning suggest they like one another.
If you want teamwork in your area, their early morning behavior is evidence you've a solid base for building a team. Rethink the benefits their behavior may be giving you. Many actions have "primary" consequences - you immediately see the intended results. Other behaviors have "secondary" consequences - these may not be so readily apparent but they have a strong impact. Think about both the primary and secondary consequences of the situation.
Do you want to risk solid work relations in exchange for the productivity, however slight, which might be gained by curtailing the morning socializing?
When we're annoyed by certain behaviors, we often tend to exaggerate the situation. Check your facts, check your watch. Are your employees really taking excessive time?
If you find the time is truly excessive, bring up the problem at your next staff meeting. Explain that you don't want to eliminate morning greetings, but you'd like to see the time cut.
Q: I've been under a great deal of stress and, for the first time, went into a real rage with an employee. I've thought about apologizing, but I don't want to undermine my authority. And it does look as if it's all blown over.
A: Abuse of an employee - and verbal assault is abuse - is never forgotten by the recipient. An abused employee may resume normal working patterns, but the pain of the abuse is still present.
Your authority comes from several sources. Your title and position provide you with authority. So do your interaction skills. Failure to apologize actually costs you authority rather than the reverse. Skilled managers know that they will, as human beings, occasionally fail. To pretend otherwise loses them respect and credibility.
Meet with your employee for a few minutes. Explain that you were stressed, but that you aren't offering that as an excuse. Then apologize.
You'll actually feel better. Your employee should feel better - and may end up respecting you more for admitting you were wrong.
It's time to make changes in your life. Spend time today detailing a plan for facing and dealing with your stress. When stress causes us to act irrationally, we are past dealing with it on our own. Include talking with a counselor in your plan.
Camille Wright Miller, an organizational behavior sociologist who works in Lexington, answers questions from our readers about workplace issues. Please send them to her in care of The Roanoke Times, Business News Department, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010.
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