Comments on: Why Managers Make More Money

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:28:46 +0000

But managers should not do things like this.

Why?

In addressing the email/opening files (assuming this situation is in the United States) - There is nothing wrong with a manager noticing out of normal work behavior and then monitoring that employee's work.

This employee uses a work computer, and shouldn't be using it for things he wants to stay hidden.

My thought is that he wanted the supervisor to see what he was doing, read the file, and get upset. Which is what happened.

By: Evil HR Lady

Evil HR Lady — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:02:25 +0000

World Opp and CCSutton--you are both right. I didn't address the manager's bad behavior of reading e-mail. Now, granted, every employee should assume that their e-mail is available to their management. But managers should not do things like this.

I need an editor to point out that I missed a big part of the story.

By: CCSutton

CCSutton — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:36:31 +0000

I am new to this blog and absolutely love it. I'm sure I'll be sending in questions in short order. I would, however, like to reiterate worldopp's comment. I thought HR Lady's advice was completely on point with the glaring exception of castigating the OP regarding pulling up someone else's email. Whether their computer is locked or not is immaterial. It's certainly an ethical breach and most likely a fireable offense depending on the company. It does cause me to wonder a bit about the OP's situation. The idea that someone would do that and not realize how wrong it is is a major error in judgment and makes me wonder what other parts of the story involve similar lapses in judgment.

By: worldopp

worldopp — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:19:39 +0000

Am I missing it, or did you forget to talk about the part where the person READ SOMEONE ELSE'S EMAIL. Is that just OK? I mean, sure, we click on that thing everyday that says our email is company property and blah blah blah, but does that make it ok for my manager to just sit at my computer and open anything she feels like, whenever she wants? Could this manager get fired for doing that?

By: sweetpeabart

sweetpeabart — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:55:15 +0000

I read your blog everyday. Love it!

You couldn't pay me enough to be a manager.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:06:42 +0000

I agree with HR Goddess, you will need to go ahead and get thick skinned because there will be plenty of times when you step on toes. (employees and upper management too!) I also agree with Bob about the meetings. We get too caught up in the day to day and forget to communicate with each other. As a manager it will portray a message to your employees that you care enough to keep the lines of communication open. I have been an HR Manager for 3 years now and everyday is a new day! Drama, drama, drama! But I love my job.(Most days! :o)) Good luck!

By: Bob Hall

Bob Hall — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:56:06 +0000

Bravo, EHRL! You were hitting on all cylinders with your advice. I've had to clean up other peoples' messes and it was difficult...and this with me being an experienced manager.

The two points you made that I would like to reiterate are on:

1. Direct communication and setting expectations. So few managers come into any supervisory position and frame everything up. A lot of potential problems can be headed off when people know what's expected of them and the way you plan to operate as a leader (although I might have considered doing the expectations part as a group).

2. 1:1 meetings. I constantly hear managers say they don't have time to meet with their people and they aren't running a nursery, anyway. What? Along with the team knowing their expectations, how about using the time to see what's going on with the employees' duties? Managers can check in and can provide guidance, they can help prioritize and they can just plain give their people ATTENTION. Micromanagment? Puh-leeze! That's just a smoke screen for saying "I don't want to" or "I don't know how". Maybe if a manager held 1:1 meetings daily, that might be micromanagment, but if you're talking weekly or bi-weekly, that's just good business sense. Plus, if a company has a performance evaluation system, regular 1:1 meetings should make those evaluations a snap -- no surprises!

This company apparently is in dire need of some management training.

Great advice. Keep up the good work.

By: HR Godess

HR Godess — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:49:20 +0000

Great advice as always! I would just add that you need to get used to not being liked. Unfortunately, when you have to correct employees or enforce policies and procedures, you tend not to be liked.

Also, focus on the things you can control. For instance, you can't control how a story or interaction gets repeated. You can control how you handle yourself in that meeting so focus on that. If you make sure you are professional and fair and follow the company guidelines, you should be in good shape.