July 8, 2008Ask Meryl ~ Coworker from hell?
Meryl,
My division director asked us all to anonymously answer the following questions:
1. Describe the best team player you ever worked with.
2. Describe the co-worker from hell.
I appreciate #1 because I can state something positive. It’s #2 that I have a problem with. I choose not to answer because there is belittling & backbiting in our unit. I believe that #2 will add to the situation & allow staff to imagine another employee & make fun of them in print even though there will not be a name mentioned.
I would like to turn my paper in with such a response that makes management consider what they are encouraging.
Meryl Responds,
I applaud you for questioning the process. I agree it’s a destructive, black and white question. If it was asking about a behavior, I’d be okay with it, but it invites you to stereotype and classify the employee as if they have no redeeming qualities.
If you’re willing to be playful and don’t think it would offend anyone, you could say,
- Instead of an employee, I’d like to nominate a question from hell – which is one that requires me to classify my colleague as being from hell. I’m teasing, of course, and I do understand and respect the intent of the exercise. It is valuable to identify challenging behaviors. However, I am uncomfortable with responding to the question as posed.
If that sounds too testy, tone it down a tad. Say,
- I am uncomfortable with responding to the question as posed. I face challenges with a number of co-worker behaviors, but I can’t say I have any co-workers from hell.
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