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Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
My boss makes comments that are rude and abusive, then chalks it up to 'sarcasm'... March 2005, Article 4 Dear Office-Politics, My boss makes comments that are rude and abusive, then chalks it up to 'sarcasm'. She does this in front of my peers who have noticed the inappropriateness of her comments and ask me why I put up with it. I met with her about this and she said it was just sarcasm and that she knows what abuse is, she is not abusive and I am just unable to handle feedback. To top it off, she said I should not discuss my being upset over the comments with my coworkers (which I don't have to because she does it in front of them). She did not apologize and said that is just her personality. Now I don't know what to do because speaking to her did not make a difference even though I informed her that others have made comments to me about how she speaks to me. Insight on how to handle this would be greatly appreciated. Signed,
Dear Abused and Frustrated, The first thing to be clear on is that sarcasm is abuse. An employer does not have the right to be sarcastic. If she has feedback for you your boss should provide it to you in a positive and supportive way. This is both a better management style and your right. You have already acted appropriately to try to address this issue by speaking with her directly. Since this has failed to achieve any result you need to take the matter to your boss’ superior or to the Human Resources department in your firm. Good luck with this. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Dr. John Burton Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian whose passion is helping people and organizations create better relationships and stronger communities by being clear, committed and collaborative in their approach to ethics and conflict. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities.
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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