Today and every Friday, I will be commenting in my blog about my personal and professional reflections on subjects relating to the workplace. I will be making observations regarding behaviors and attitudes in the workplace. Readers are asked to submit questions and comments.
SHOUT OUTS!
1. Congratulations Training Officers Consortium for 70 years of services to the Federal Training community, go to www.trainingofficers.org
Background: The Training officers Consortium (TOC) was founded in 1938 and is one of the oldest professional organizations actively involved with the improvement of training functions and Human Resource Development (HRD) within the Federal government. TOC provides services and networking opportunities to not only the Federal training community of the metropolitan Washington, DC area, but also to state, local and academic communities. TOC creates an environment for exchange and development of ideas by sponsoring activities such as the Professional Development Series Program, Annual Institute, Annual Awards Program and the TOC News.
2. Kudos go to Salsa Express for quality customer service, go to www.salsaexpress.com
Background: My son sent me a large gift box of hot salsa and condiment products from Salsa Express (fine gourmet and fiery foods). Since I am unable to eat spicy/hot foods, I contacted Salsa Express to see if I could exchange the products. Salsa Express told me I could not return the products but that I should keep them and give them as gifts to others. They asked me to pick out other products I could use and they sent them to me promptly and at their expense. They kept me informed throughout the process. Now that is quality service. Why? While my customer request was not anticipated, the organization made it a win-win situation for me. I now have become a new and loyal customer. Quality customer service means going beyond the expected, it means
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Showing the customer respect and understanding
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Making adjustments when necessary
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Providing a win solution for the customer
Your Questions!
Today, I will start with a situation posed to me in my Workplace Etiquette class this week.
Question: What do I do about the guy who likes to touch and rubs my shoulders when I am sitting at the computer? I don’t like it but I am not sure what to do.
Possible Answers: You could:
a. Turn around and punch him out. I do not find this option expectable. While this would stop him, it might get you arrested and sued.
b. Tell him not to touch your unless he means it and wink.
c. Let him know that you are uncomfortable with his touch and you do not want him to touch you. (If he continues, tell him you will have to report him.)
I would advocate c. What do you think?
Keep in mind that no one has the right to touch you without your consent. This behavior could be construed as sexual harassment
Comment posted: Sep 05 2008 01:44 pm by: Tim
In your multiple choice question you gave the answer in option "a." Try to keep us guessing a little longer in the future. Otherwise it's a great blog.
Comment posted: Sep 05 2008 04:58 pm by: Pam
Co-workers should also be aware that when someone in the office is pregnant, this does NOT give carte blanche for others to touch or rub her abdomen. When I was carrying my own children, I was floored at the way people somehow felt my belly was now somehow public property! This goes for both men and women! (One lady also thought it was cute to insist that I stand up so she could see how fat I was getting - ahem... even pregnant ladies don't want to be called fat!)
Comment posted: Sep 08 2008 08:20 am by: Sylvia
The answer to the question is c. The key is to simply make clear not to touch you and your intent to report the matter if it happens again. Give that simple instruction in an assertive not a diplomatic way that we as women are too often prone to do. You do not ask a person not to touch you, you tell them not to touch you.
Comment posted: Sep 30 2008 08:58 pm by: Nancy
Yes I feel that "c" is correct also. But my minds eye invisions broken fingers....hehe
Dianne Floyd Sutton is President of Sutton Enterprises, author, trainer, educator, facilitator, expert witness, coach and actor. She has twenty-five years of combined experience in Human Resource Development (HRD) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) training. And she has twenty years of business experience as Sutton Enterprises.
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