July 3, 2015
Alma Gill, NNPA Columnist
Dear Alma,
I have worked for a large cleaning company for the past 17 years. Our supervisor recently retired and I was promoted to that job. Once I was promoted, we hired a new guy to join our team who has been doing an outstanding job. He is one of the best employees and cleaners I’ve worked with for a long time. He is a man of few words and shows up every day to get the job done. Every year we pick one person to receive a bonus for a job well done. The supervisor is the person who picks the winner. Without a doubt I thought this guy deserved the bonus. When the others heard he got the award they were mad and whispering behind my back that it was unfair for him to get it. Two of our employees have started acting resentful towards me because they said they’ve worked with me longer. I keep hearing the gossip and I want to explain why I picked the new guy but my husband says I don’t owe them an explanation. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want our crew to be divided or for them not to like me. Do you think I should call a meeting and tell them why I picked him over the others?
Ahhhhh no, Boss Lady! It was your decision and you made it. Believe and trust in yourself. There was a reason you were promoted; stand tall in the new opportunity you’ve been appointed.
You’ve got to pay the cost to be the boss, and it ain’t no walk in a delightfully scrumptious designer kitchen. Most want to be on top but can’t handle the pressure. When it comes time to make the hard decisions, continue to trust your gut. You know who’s doing what, how and when. That’s why you were able to hands down, pick the winner. Don’t second-guess your abilities because of a few rotten apples filling up your fancy fruit basket.
Like the old folks use to say, always judge what you hear by who said it. Seasoned adults understand sometimes they’ll be overlooked for a particular position or won’t get the praise they think they deserve, so is life. We all must continue to be our best and believe that one day our diligence and superb efforts be rewarded.
Complaining is draining and employees who sit around cantankerous, moaning and grumbling all day, can’t be doing a good job. Like I said before, do not explain yourself to the staff. The announcement was made and the bonus was presented. That’s it, game over. To anyone who feels slighter, tough tootsie roll. Close the chapter on this my darling.
You can call a meeting, but don’t mention the award. What you can do is, push and promote teamwork and continue to focus on performance. That’s about all you can control. Don’t allow yourself to be a pushover, I can tell you’re a little softhearted. Put on your big girl bloomers, grab your scrub brush and handle your business. Congratulation on your promotion. Your loyalty with this company has served you well.
Alma
Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and The Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @almaaskalma.
