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Author Bio:
Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar work together on "Annie's Mailbox," a unique advice column written for the modern reader. The two began their ...
Read more about Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar.
Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar work together on "Annie's Mailbox," a unique advice column written for the modern reader. The two began their ...
Read more about Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar.
Annie's Mailbox
Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar
Dear Annie: I work for a family company and am grateful to have a job
in this economy. But while we employees have had benefits drastically
cut, the owners have bought new luxury homes and cars and just
returned from an overseas vacation that included a safari.
I am a loyal employee, but it seems we are the only ones making sacrifices for the good of the company. Morale is low, and I can no longer be the cheerleader I once was.
I want my employer to know that, despite how they have treated us, I will continue to do my best, but there are other employees who don't feel this way. How can we get the boss to take a closer look at the message he is sending before everyone walks out? I still love this company and want it to succeed. -- Unappreciated
Dear Unappreciated: The problem is, your boss knows that no matter how he treats his employees, it will be difficult for them to find another job in this economy. He takes advantage of the fact that, despite the grumbling, they are not likely to leave. This is a terrible way to treat the people who work for you.
Since you care about the health of the company, appoint yourself the spokesperson for the staff and see if you can get a few people together to speak to the boss privately. (There is safety in numbers.) Tell him he deserves to enjoy the fruits of his labor, but you've noticed it lowers morale when he appears to be flaunting his wealth at the expense of his struggling employees. Say that you want his company to be successful and a great place to work, and consequently, you worry when your fellow employees don't feel valued and appreciated. Then ask how you can help.
Dear Annie: I have been friends for more than 30 years with a gentleman who now lives in a nursing home. He is hale and hearty with an alert and active mind, and I enjoy our twice-monthly visits. However, although he wears hearing aids, the only way to effectively communicate is to speak quite loudly.
While I have no problem doing so when we are alone, it can obviously be disturbing to other visitors. In addition, we occasionally go to museums, restaurants and historical sites, and find ourselves facing the choice of disturbing those seated near us or remaining silent, which, of course, negates the purpose of getting together.
What is the proper way to act in situations like this? Should I continue to speak loudly even though it annoys others, or would it be better to diminish our mutual enjoyment by keeping conversation to a minimum? -- Want To Do What's Right
Dear Want: It is OK to raise your voice, but it also helps to avoid places where there is a great deal of ambient noise. Busy restaurants with loud music would create more difficulty hearing than a quiet meal in someone's house. We wouldn't worry too much about the common areas of a nursing home where visitors understand hearing problems. Otherwise, keep your conversation to a minimum when you are in an enclosed public space, and when you want to talk, consider taking a walk or visiting in your home. Also be sure to look directly at your friend when you are speaking. Most people do more lip-reading than you might imagine.
Dear Annie: This is in response to "Unsure Daughter," whose estranged father is dying and she doesn't know if she should see him. I, too, came from the Bad Dads Club and was faced with a similar situation. I decided to leave the past in the past and start over.
Thirteen years later, I have no regrets. I spent my father's final months getting to know him and expressing my feelings. This is an opportunity most people don't get, so I advise anyone in this situation to take the opportunity to say what you need to. -- Canada
Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
Copyright 2009 Creators Syndicate Inc.
This news arrived on: 10/08/2009
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Posted Comments:
10-08-2009 12:37
Peg wrote:
Family owned Biz
NO WAY should they talk to the boss! If someone just HAS to say something, do it anon w/ a note.
Also they should bear in mind the boss may or may not be spending profits of the company. The company may just be breaking even and he's spending funds from his wife's family or something.
Family companies are often the worst to work for!!
Also they should bear in mind the boss may or may not be spending profits of the company. The company may just be breaking even and he's spending funds from his wife's family or something.
Family companies are often the worst to work for!!
10-08-2009 11:46
greens wrote:
unappreciated
i hate to disagree with everyone, but how much the employer has is really none of their business. we have a small business, and when we make NO money, the employees still get paid. when we make a profit it is ours. these are the perks and risks of a sole propriotorship. additionnally, i doubt the employees are privy to the owners finances. our small business makes very little money. however, i have substantial real estate holdings which provide me with a nice income. it is presumptious to assume that everything i own was paid for by the business.
10-08-2009 11:26
another voice wrote:
Unappreciated
EOE said it all. Wow, Annies, you are so off the mark. You are advising this fellow to get him/herself fired! The letter writer indicates that the employer is not concerned at all with employee morale. Do you honestly think he/she would respond positively to anything that smacks of criticism? Good God!
10-08-2009 08:05
East of Eden wrote:
Nursing Home
I would guess that there are other people in the same boat - many seniors do have hearing difficulty. If this gentleman is hale nad hearty, why not go for a walk on the grounds and speak loudly to your heart's content. Or, check his hearing aid - is it loud enough? Is the volume up? If you still have to speak loudly, I'm sure that the other visitors will understand - after all, they're visiting seniors, as well.
10-08-2009 07:57
East of Eden wrote:
Unappreciated
Annie - you are completely out of touch with the real world. The company is family-owned. Good grief - as spokesperson, this employee will be the first to be fired. The only viable advice would be to belt up and look for another job with discretion. As for those other employees - when push comes to shove, they will not support this spokesperson because they are fearful of losing their jobs, as well.
Really bad advice, Annie. I mean really, really, really bad. Incredibly bad. Worst advice in this situation. Get a grip and get real.
Really bad advice, Annie. I mean really, really, really bad. Incredibly bad. Worst advice in this situation. Get a grip and get real.
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