Caution: Tell your Boss Anything

Posted on by aurorameyer

This new service is a minefield. One you would be wise to stay away from.

According to the website, the ultimate goal is to, “encourage useful discussion that resolves difficult workplace issues. We provide a safe environment in which to do that.”

However, safe doesn’t necessarily mean completely anonymous. The site claims, “Unless required to by law, we will not reveal your identity.”

The service, as noted in this LifeHacker.com article, might reveal the sender. “The catch? Tell Your Boss Anything flags messages with violent phrases or cursing, and if a manager flags a message because it’s abusive, Tell Your Boss Anything might reveal your identity. Keep a level-head if you decide to fire off an email to your boss.”

If you’re going to be level-headed, why not have a conversation with your boss instead? Not to mention, if you’re in a small department or have a unique writing style you’ll be giving yourself away.

Work Resolutions

Posted on by aurorameyer

Image from: http://forum.mobiles24.com/showthread.php?p=357201
Will any of your resolutions include work related items? If they don’t, maybe they should. Here are some suggestions.

Patience
Be more patient toward your coworkers, supervisors and bosses. You have no idea what is going on in their personal lives. I’m not suggesting that you let your colleagues walk all over you, just be less quick to get upset or angry.

Speak up
No one can read your mind. If you want a raise, set a time to speak with your boss and ask for it (with appropriate documentation of why you deserve one, of course). If you want to move your desk to another cubicle or nearer a window, ask. Fretting about people not reading your mind will only frustrate you.

Give credit to others
Admitting that your brilliant idea came from Marge in Accounting, doesn’t make you look incompetent (especially if afterall you were the one who implemented it). It makes you look like a team player.

Know when to walk away
In regards to being stuck on a project. Sometimes all you need is an hour or an evening to gain fresh perspective. (Note: this does not work on deadline.)

Treat deadlines with respect
Even if in your office “deadline” means sometime between Thursday and Monday, don’t be that guy who turns it in on Tuesday. People are counting on you to get your work done and on time. So even if deadlines are flexible, treat them as if they are final.

Meet new people
You never know who knows who. Introduce yourself to someone new. If you aren’t proud to say where you work (or it won’t be well received) just state what you do. You might meet a new business contact who can save your department money in printing costs.

Keep your work space clean
A clean desk means a less cluttered mind, or something like that.

What other work related resolutions should be added to this list?