We have an employee who appears to be disgruntled.
As a result, he's creating a hostile work
environment for co-workers. For example, he won't
speak to anyone, he slings boxes across the floor,
and when someone asks a question he is purposefully
vague.
This doesn't seem to violate any policy, but it is
affecting morale of co-workers. How should I
proceed?
Jason Bored
Human Resources Division
Jabot Cosmetics
Dear Jason:
There are serious dysfunctions in this scenario.
First, this kind of passive-aggressive and overtly
aggressive pattern is not just anxiety-provoking for
others, but may have an intimidating intent or
effect. Will this individual ratchet up the
hostility and become globally explosive or, perhaps,
start focusing on a specific target? A person
displaying problematic behavior and emotional
conflicts or a personality disorder fairly quickly
becomes a morale and productivity tumor capable of
blackmail, so watch your back.
Second, was the person you're describing next in
line for a major promotion, like CEO? Before an
outsider was given the job, had the person being
doing exemplarily work? Did you offer this person
more money or a promotion of equal importance, like
COO?
Third, did you perform a background check on the new
employee, or is he/she politically connected such
that experience and education don't matter and you
have no say? If this is a case of nepotism your only
recourse is to inform the person that he's lucky to
have a job given the current recession. To sweeten
the pie, offer him a year's supply of free cosmetics
and, if available, a gift certificate redeemable at
a coffee shop specializing in the sale of
double-chocolate cakes.
Dear Genoa City News:
Until last week I was head of security at Newman
Enterprises. As a retired police officer, I hold a
college degree, have years of experience and
campaigned aggressively for the job which I won fair
and square. The person I replaced, a homosexual I
suspect, didn't know his ass from a hole in the
ground and left the job site a haven for terrorists.
On the very day I put the finishing touches on
making the computer system hacker-proof by crazies
like Kevin Fisher, on the day I made sure that
cameras can't be placed in the boss' office without
his knowing, and erected big signs that Jack Abbott
and Daniel Romalotti are not allowed in the
building, I was fired!
I understand that for worker bees like me no job is
secure, but I later found out my replacement is the
same guy I replaced! It's not fair! I've got a wife
and five kids to support. Isn't there a law?
Marty Hooker
Dear Marty:
Law? In Genoa City? Surely you jest. We looked into
your complaint and found you were replaced by J.T.
Hellstrom. For your information, Mr. Hellstrom has
extraordinary talent superseding education and
experience. For example, Hellstrom is a whiz at
snapping pictures of babies. Can you say the same?
He claims to have had sex with every girl under the
age of sixteen before he was twenty-five and
graduated to having sex with married women, so how
can you imply he's gay? You wouldn't be a homophobe,
would you Marty?
Furthermore, Hellstrom is a veteran private
detective and former rock and roll one-hit wonder.
He attacked Mr. Fisher from behind with a coffee
mug. Doesn't that count for something? Hellstrom
wasn't experienced when he formerly worked at Newman
Enterprises, but he was trained by Paul Williams who
is only the best PI in all the land. You may not
know this, but in addition to exposing fraud at
Clear Springs, Hellstrom risked his life to save the
life of a very important Genoa City citizen. Based
on that unwavering act of heroism alone, he should
have been rewarded with any job he wanted.
All these credits aside, you overlooked Mr.
Hellstrom's most important qualification: He got a
Newman woman pregnant! Had his name been McNeil,
this may not have bode well for Hellstrom and he'd
have been offered large sums of money to leave Genoa
City, but the baby was allowed to be born, and your
fate Marty, was sealed when Victor Newman made
Hellstrom a member of the family.
Therefore, we find your case is without merit.
On the plus side, we understand there are no lines
at the unemployment office, and recommend that as
part of your job search you apply at Jabot
Cosmetics. We hear they're hiring.
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