Workplace Challenges

Ellen's mailbag Ellen, Your article really made me think. I'm no stranger to a bit of desk rage in my temp office assignments, but it's confined to seething wordlessly for a few hours or making the very occasional sarcastic remark. It's more like desk irritation than desk rage. ELLEN GOLDHAR

[ 2002-06-05 ] Send to a friend Print

I like what you said in your article, but have you considered writing something about the social responsibilities employers have to prevent situations from getting to the desk rage stage?

Yours truly,
Judith

Judith,

I am glad that what you are encountering is desk irritation versus desk rage. Desk rage is a lot more serious, and although it may becoming more common, it still isn't a workplace norm. On the other hand, desk irritation is on the rise.

It can be seen in sarcastic remarks laced with a dagger-like tone; a lack of co-operation; curt answers; glares; insidious office gossip, and the face behind the open office door that clearly communicates a look of 'door closed, do not enter.' Although these workplace encounters aren't new, they are more prevalent.

Employers need to provide a safe and harassment free work environment with ZERO tolerance for abuse of any kind.

Ultimately, the person who is raging is responsible for their actions. If life is getting to you, it's up to you to see the warning signs and get the help you need before it gets out of hand.

Ellen,

I read your column in last week's career section. I have often raised the "be nice" philosophy to one of my staffers. "If you can't be pleasant to people, don't bother coming to work," is what I feel like telling this guy. He is just miserable -- not a fun guy to be around at all. Can you suggest a training program that might be helpful?

Regards,
Tom

Tom,

Stop training -- it's not the right treatment in this case. Sending him on any more training will be throwing away money. You have a performance management issue, not a training problem.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of hiring for attitude and training for skill. Attitude is one of those things you can't teach -- it's completely internally motivated. Your employee is 100% responsible for his mood, and until he's ready to change it, all the training in the world won't help.

A participant during a recent training session remarked, "I am here to see if you can teach an old dog a new trick." I replied, "One thing I have come to know is that you can't teach an old dog who doesn't want to learn a new trick, a new trick."

(Ellen Goldhar is a manager of people development at Sun Media Corporaton, send questions and comments to ellen.goldhar@tor.sunpub.com.)

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