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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2009)
lie C ELEBRATING A DEC ADE street roots 13 £dura /ton ♦ Dialogue ♦ Independence Kvetching about coworkers, employees, a favorite pasttime T ast but not least, I’m ending the three I part series on relationships with -L /co-w orkers. As most of the people who buy Street Roots from me are employed, I-thought I’d jump into the wonderful world of how to deal with co-workers. This, however, can be a touchy John Thompson subject, so I hope that what follows will be of assistance to you in dealing with your J°h n Thompson sells Street Roots a t the com er o f 12th a n d Couch in Northwest Portland. H e also volunteers a t J u lia West fellow employees. House, a n d enjoys helping fo lks w ith fin a n c ia l questions. Over the years I worked for several different businesses doing accounting work. In some cases I had staffs working for me etc. What workers do not seem to realize is ranging from 10 to 25 people. As a manager, that if they are not there, someone else has it is your function to set a smooth course in to do their job. the office, or wherever your place of Years ago, I took a three-day seminar business is. This means that you try as hard called Human Factors. Perhaps some of you as you can to keep everyone on an even have had the pleasure of these three days in keel, and get the work done that everyone is hell, (I’m chuckling here) but I did learn a getting paid for. few things that helped me in the Now that I’ve given you the ideal management end of dealing with people. situation, let’s face reality. In most cases, The first rule was to be open, honest, and there is always at least one in the company direct with people. Now remember, this was that tries everyone’s patience. Some before the current philosophy of being employees do crazy things, and it often politically correct What I did was to disrupts the flow of the office, or evaluate the situation that was happening, warehouse, or restaurant, etc. and then usually called the person in my How we deal with this can determine a lot office for a ch at Believe it or n o t managers of factors as to how all of the other can see things going on at work and they employees react. should react accordingly. Some of my customers will vent a little I would fell the employee what I thought bit to me about things going on around was a problem, and then let them explain them at work. I listen to them, and if they their side. It usually ended up with a mutual ask, I’ll tell them what I would do in their agreement to change certain behaviors and place. This of course is not a final decision make the work place a good place for the employees to be in. If the employee could on how they will act, but at least it plants a not see the problem, as sometimes seed in their minds as to how to deal with it The most common complaint I hear is about happened, I would say that the following is what I expect to be done. This was the first a person who is always late for work, talks verbal warning. too much during the day, is calling in sick a If I m issed something, usually another lot, has to leave early for an appointment, MY CORNER co employee would come to me and let me know that there was a problem in the office. I would evaluate the information to see if it was genuine and if it was, I’d deal with it as soon as possible. The biggest problem of not dealing with an employee issue is that it will fester and make others uncomfortable in this environment Personnel issues must be dealt with as quickly as possible. If you are an employee, you must ask your supervisor to assist in dealing with whatever issue that is interrupting the work. If you are the supervisor, you must react quickly to make sure that the rest of the employees are secure in the knowledge that adverse situations are being resolved. The other course of action is for you to confront the employee yourself and inform them of what you see as activities that are not constructive or conducive to the well being of the work place. However, be advised that this may end up in a negative way. They may become quite defensive and any hope of them changing may be shattered. You pay your money and take your chances on this gambit It probably would have worked 20 years ago, but now in the politically correct era, it may n o t Therefore, I think the best way to handle these matters is to go to your supervisor and explain what’s going on and let them decide the next course of action. In my case, I used to give every employee who worked for me two verbal warnings, and one written warning. If things did not improve or change, I then had the option to terminate the employee with plenty of backup in case their termination was challenged. CD com . In this current economic downturn, with thousands losing their jobs every week, employees are doing w hatever it takes to I always like to hear from you. co CO CD show productivity and probably being very careful in how they are treating their fellow employees. This in itself may solve some of the issues in the work place. Otherwise, since you usually have to be at work for 40 hours a week, it’s best to have a quiet and happy environment Do the best you can to accommodate your fellow workers, try to be a model employee, if you have an issue, don’t let it fester, go to your supervisor and talk it o ut Let them take some action. Your fellow workers will be grateful to have the work place a fun place to be. So this ends my three part series on relationships. I hope you enjoyed the articles on friends, spouses, and co-workers. I know that some of you faithful readers were expecting my next foray to be about love. Well, it’s a hot topic to be sure, (chuckle) and lord knows I’ve had my share (snicker), however, I read an editorial piece in the local daily that intrigued me, so I’m going to write about it and save love for the next issue after I do this one. I’m sure your all wondering what it’s about? Well, you’ll soon find o ut Stay tuned and look for this article in the March 20 issue of Street Roots. As always, if you have a comment, or want to chat, I’m at the comer of 12th and Couch, NW usually seven day’s a week from 8am until noon. The only exception is on Tuesdays. I volunteer at the Julia West - house in the morning and am usually not on my corner until 11 a.m. Also, you can email me at: m ignonne_thom pson _john@yahoo. f a r m CD CD e r s m arket £ £ h- co ^ o x \f \Nadx\tstey 2-7pm bicycle repair bicycle sales 1914 se ankeny 734 se ankeny 503.239.0533 503.239.6951 co Portland, Oregon, 97214 p e o p le ’s Frost/Nixon & N THE ¿M u n J t AQB APBIl 14 “ M A * 10 K«y Private G ray Gardens O k JL ~ J L FOOD CO-OP 3029 SE hue o p e n daily 8am - 10pm ______V 5 0 3 U R G A N w w w .p e o p le s .c o i lyrtakt MMbat DM« MAT 2« - J U K I 21 Guys and Odia li VENDOR WORK ADS I n the & i . ltn <Bn$rut>io R.&u&mlnstwf utter. Db«a4b*O*CabM» T H E H IS TO R Y (and Mystery] O F T H E UNIVERSE SBPT 25 - OCT 25 k Christmas Carol i i n ihilibila I M i I ■ IH twifn— •“ D IC 2 - I t Apollo WorWPrwBl-r»» *«>*■»«* JAM 15 - FSB 8 «4* OCT 14 - DRC 7 How To Disappear Completely and Never Be Found JAM 27 - MAR 22 T h e Im po rtance of Being Earnest I^OMrVMK DMMMrObkCitnM FIB 24 - M A S 22 OMtMhrOwCataM MAR 3 1 - J U M t 7 __ Get Connected, Get Answers. From your cell phone dial 503-222-5555. Food Resources Healthcare Public Agencies Legal Services 5657 (Free Service!) Vicki Sittinghawk: House cleaning, very thorough. References. Call 503-287-4174. Bill Atkinson: Yard work, moving, mise. Four- hour minimum, $10 an hour. Call Street Roots office at 503-228-5657. Dan & Donna: Need odd jobs? Can do painting, yardwork, miscellaneous labor. Very dependable. Call the Street Roots office at 503-228-5657,503 267-4794. Small Business Consultant: A/R, A/P, money management, etc. $30 an hour. Call John Thompson at Street Roots at 503-228-5657 Too much debt? Want to be debt free? Consumer créât counseling: Call John Thompson at Street Roots for an appointment 503-228- Handy man needs work: moving, painting, yard work, clean-up. If I can sweat and you can be doing something else, please call me at 503-803- 2533. Mark Works. 4 hour minimum, $12.50 per hour start plus lunch. Crazy Enough WerW Premier»! 2 Ai V 0 0 V 8 w - 2 — 0 0 9 ----- SEASON , www_pcS.ORG 211 info * Bruce Heino: Available for yard work, general assistance, four-hour minimum, wage negotiable. Please call the Street Roots office or contact New Seasons at 33rd and Killingsworth. 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