AboutJoe D. Buys Expertise I can answer questions dealing with leadership development, cross-functional team development, conflict resolution, absenteeism management, workplace violence, sexual harassment, diversity in the workplace, supervisor and management training and conducting employee and customer opinion surveys. I can also answer questions dealing with Lean Manufacturing and Administrative Lean for the Office.
Experience
Past/Present clients General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Dow Chemical, Valasic Foods, Lear Corporation, United States Postal Service
Question I am a supervisor in a government organization. I have an employee who digitally signs every e-mail with
God 1st, Family 2nd, Work 3rd. I have been instructed by my supervisor to talk to her about removing this statement. How do I do handle this situation without putting her on the defensive?
Answer Dear Jackie,
I'm pleased to see that you are sensitive to the possibility of making this employee defensive. The approach that I would use is to tell her that because you are a government organization it is inappropriate to sign her e-mail with any statement that advocates a personal opinion, irregardless of how worthy and or popular that opinion may be. She probably would be uncomfortable to receive e-mail that advocated atheism, a swinging lifestyle or a lifestyle that required all employees to put work ahead of their family and beliefs. Because a government organization deals with people with many different beliefs it's representatives must not professionally advocate any position that might offend.
If you respect and are sensitive to her beliefs you should minimize her defensiveness.
Good Luck
Joe D. Buys
Partner
Crystal Clear Concepts
www.ccconcepts.com
