re: Am I an a-hole boss?

quote:

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Got to work at about 7:20 this morning. Unlock my door, go in my office. One of my staff is already sitting at her desk (clocked in) outside my office and I can hear her discussing everything under the sun and the moon about her boyfriend, makeup tips, food, etc - nothing at all work related.

Well 8:20 rolls around and I realize all she's done is talk - she hasn't done any work. So I point-blank ask her, "do you need some work to do? All you have done is talk all morning."

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You are 100% right. However, people's egos are fragile (including your own) and this probably wasnt' the most tactful way to handle it. I can't stand people who don't work, but what positive would come from this? At best, she will hate you and not give 100%. At worst, HR takes her side. Nothing good comes out of it.

A better way to handle it would be to say, "Hey XXXXXX, Can I speak to you for a moment in my office?" THen bring her in the office, ask about some current projects going on to get a grasp on where she's at and then give her a goal that you want completed (documented via email of course). If she doesn't complete the goal, then it's time to have a talk with her in private, not belittle in front of her coworkers. You sound like you've never managed anyone before using your method.

It sucks that you have to do it this way, but as fragile as everyone's ego is and as PC as the workplace is, this is the better way. Plus, it doesn't offend her and it feels like you're just giving her work and goals, not belittlement. It's just more effective.