Question: I will
be working with a new director soon. When I meet with the new director,
I would like to ask the right questions in order to get to know his
work...
Q. In the December 2000 issue, you discussed the topic of employees with body odor. We also have a staff member with body odor so bad that other staff members have...
Question: Has anyone in a Sr. Admin. Asst. role had to deal with a “Diva”? I
am a Sr. Admin. Asst. and I work with an Admin. Asst. who feels that
she...
"Logic bombs" and sabotage aren't the makings of a James Bond film. They're problems any employer can face in this electronic age. Sometimes, employee malice is to...
Question: A
younger woman (early 20s) is working our switchboard. She has stolen
from people before but no one has been able to catch her in the act.
(She’s...
Question: Nepotism:
A big word that finally came to me under much distress. I'm a fairly
new administrative assistant, although I think the position could
easily be...
Question: I work in an office where I am in the center of everything, so I can hear and
see everything that goes on. One of my co-workers pretends to work...
Question: I work in a nice
office with a lot of nice people around. Sometimes, however, the lady
next to me in her cube will chew gum ... then, she will pop it. Not...
Question: I would like to know how other assistants/receptionists/whatever your
title deal with disruptions. I 'm not talking about the phone ringing,
sales...
Question: We have an office of about 70 employees, about 55 of whom have
face-to-face contact with the public. The owner would like all patients welcomed
with...
Question: One of my co-workers (Co-Worker A) is a good employee and a hard worker.
Another co-worker (Co-Worker B), who supports the department head, is very...
Question: Two of my managers come to my desk frequently and
read my computer screen and anything else within view of my desk. I do not
report to either one. They...
Question: We have three offices in our building and each office has a secretary. One of
our secretaries is a wonderful person but is too loud. When I am...
Perk up your lawsuit radar if you (or one of your organization's managers) plan to discipline an employee who has emotional problems and difficulty relating to other...
Issue: HR must walk a legal tightrope when employees are suspected of in-house theft. Risk: A bungled theft investigation increases your organization's ...
And now, a cautionary tale in the form of Spencer Stuart headhunter Dennis Carey, who wooed and promoted his protégé, Marie-Caroline von Weichs, then fired...
Issue: Employee disagreements are often laid at the feet of HR. Risk: Disputes can lower morale, cut productivity and even trigger violence. Action: Follow the following...
Americans can speak their minds as they wish in many places, but your workplace isn't one of them. First Amendment free-speech rights do not extend to the private...