pay to complain?
paulbe
9 Posts
I have a chronic complainer situation. Does anyone have a policy that disallows writing complaints during normal work hours using company computers? If so, please share or comment.
Comments
Disclaimer: This message is not intended to offend or attack. It is posted as personal opinion. If you find yourself offended or uncomfortable, email me and let me know why.
Document everything - you may need it down the road.
Disclaimer: This message is not intended to offend or attack. It is posted as personal opinion. If you find yourself offended or uncomfortable, email me and let me know why.
Are the complaints being filed in accordance with company policy? (eg: all concerns should be directed to your immediate supervisor, etc..) If she is going against this by emailing her complaints to every other employee then I think the supervisor should advise her of the proper, or more productive, route.
Is her complaining bothering other employees? If so, then the supervisor should talk with her. (Not even coworkers want to listen to a constant complainer.)
Is her constant complaining taking her away from doing her job? Again, her supervisor should step in.
The key is to redirect her instead of telling her she can't complain.
I do not know one single leader with whom my 65 years of life in the "world of work" who has been seen or recognized as a leader in any field of vocation, which resulted from getting issues before the leaders through a complaint or many complaints. There are times and places for complaints, but, only when the exercise is for the correction of badly designed things.
I hope you will come again to the forum, where you can learn alot and also help us all with new concerns.
PORK
A policy that discourages complaining is a very bad idea, because it would almost certainly run afoul of the Protected Concerted Activity guarantees of the NLRA - which apply to union and non-union employers.
Not every kind of complaining is covered. But you'd have a hard time drafting a policy that wouldn't stray over the line.
But if the complaining is really a problem, it's undoubtedly getting in the way of the person's ability to do his job. Discipline for not getting the job done, rather than for complaining.
Brad Forrister
VP/Content
M. Lee Smith Publishers
Would also encourage people to include a suggestion along with the complaint. Or, when the person brings up the concern, ask what they think could be done to solve the problem.
As annoying as it can be, have found that oftentime the complainers don't view themselves as a pain for all they encounter. They view themselves as being helpful and raising things that others may not and are hurt when they're told that the perception of others isn't matching their own perception of themselves.
Have also asked them to be specific (i.e. exactly how many is "everyone says.....") and to speak only for themselves.
If co-workers complain to them, have encouraged the "complainers" to advise their co-workers to bring it to the attention of someone that can help them fix the problem.
Bottom line, in this case the complainer spent much of his time complaining and shirking his work.
Not only was the job not getting done, he was not following our conflict resolution policy in the complaint process by allowing informal meetings with the supervisor and manager as the first step of the process. Soon the complaint process became the target of complaints, and after awhile the complaints became so convoluted, it was difficult to keep track of which complaint he was talking about..... not to mention the appeals he made for denials or previous complaints.
Well, to close this story, the complainer showed up at a staff meeting last week wearing a Hooters T shirt, unbeknown to him the agenda included a sexual harassment presentation. Are you still with me.....
One thing let to another and his computer was inspected by the supervisor where over 300 internet downloads of pix of scantly dressed women were discovered.
The complainer is now sitting at home waiting for our call to come pick up his letter and personal belongings...... thanks again You All!!