I Like Tom Petty. I Don’t Like Employees Being Petty

Recently, I had an employee come and speak with me regarding her supervisor.  This was her complaint: “I don’t like the way he speaks to me.”

Me: “OK – give me an example.”

Her: “Well, I was working on a project then he came over and told me I needed to do something else.” 

Me: “Hmmm, so I am not sure what the problem is.”   

Her: “I think he just asked me to do something else because he needs to act like he is the big boss.” 

Me: “Or maybe he was prioritizing the work and decided he wanted you to focus on what needed to get done first.” 

Her: “No, no he just wants to make me know he is in charge, he was like ‘I need you to do this instead’ and I know he didn’t, and he said it with an attitude.” 

Me: “But maybe he actually did need you to work on the other item and he was under pressure so what you perceived as an attitude was just him trying to get things done, just something to consider.”  

Cue the music, “Well I won't back down, no I won't back down. You could stand me up at the gates of hell. But I won't back down.”

Here is another “critical” issue I have addressed, more than once:

Employee: “So and so came back late from lunch two times this week.” 

Me: “Thanks for letting me know.” 

Employee: “Well, what are you going to do about it?” 

Me: “I will take the appropriate steps.” 

Employee: “Yeah right.”

Cue the music, “Listen, it don't really matter to me baby. You believe what you want to believe…” 

The fact is I spoke with the person’s manager who was aware of both instances. She also rolled her eyes and said it was really not the other employees’ concern. I went to my office and thought to myself, cue the music, “Oh don't let it kill you baby, don't let it get to you. Don't let it kill you baby, don't let it get to you.”

Before you share something that you don’t like at work ask yourself is it really something that should and must be addressed or are you just whining? If it is the latter, cue the music, “Don’t do me like that.”