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----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Plato" <gilliankitty -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "techwr-l" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Cc: <bgranat -at- editors-writers -dot- info>
Sent: Monday, September 23, 2002 10:52 PM
Subject: Re: More on drafts --
> "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- editors-writers -dot- info> wrote ...
> >
> > It is fundamentally wrong to misrepresent how you are going to judge my
> > work. If you are the kind of person that enjoys entrapping people in the
> > workplace, you are gaining some payoff for what you do.
>
> If you turn in work that is utter drek, then its likely you will be judged
> different than if you turn in sparkling perfection. How you are judged is
> ultimate in your control. Do good work and people will judge you fairly.
Do crap
> work and expect to be judged harshly.
We are talking about "work" that was not turned in. We are talking about a
review of that work without the writer's knowledge.
>
> It seems to me that you are asking the court to render a judgment a case
before
> the evidence is presented. That's not how it works.
>
We are talking about "work" that was not turned in. We are talking about a
review of that work without the writer's knowledge.
> > A matter such as when and how my work product will be evaluated is
hardly a
> > minor or secondary matter. It is crucial to the operation of the
> > organization, and there is no excuse for it not been stated clearly at
the
> > outset of employment, or at least within the first week or two.
>
> Let me ask you something: While in an interview with a prospective
employer, do
> you demand that ALL job expectations and a clear map of how you will be
judged be
> provided to you at the time of hire? Do you insist on a comprehensive set
of
> criteria from your new employer on how they will judge you?
It is not advisable to make demands or insist on things in an interview. I
believe that I clearly stated that that information should be provided at
least within the first week or two. There it is, right in the paragraph
quoted above! Yes, indeed, I said "stated clearly at the outset of
employment, or at least within the first week or two."
>
> Because, if you don't then aren't you misrepresenting the basis by which
YOU will
> judge the employer, and as such - isn't that UNETHICAL by your own
reasoning.
I can walk out at any time, just like the employer can dismiss me at any
time. However, when it comes to review of my work product itself, simple
common decency dictates that I be told when and how it will be assessed.
While the employer and the employee continually make assessments about one
another and while each can at any time terminate the relationship, it is
only the vital ones that affect one's continued employment and suitability
for promotion that are being discussed here.
>
> > No, not EVERY expectation, but just the basic ones that exist, such as
> > whether I am expected to deliver drafts to my boss. This is the single
most
> > basic job expectation that has to be explained to a new employee on the
> > first day.
>
> WHOA...we're backing up here. Now we're down to "just the basic ones."
Well, now
> this is a new story. "Just the basic ones" could leave out a lot of
expectations.
> And therefore, you may be judged on those.
There is no back-tracking here. We are talking about Steve's issue, period.
One single thing. Not a new story at all. Just one single issue: being
judged on my work product without any advance notice. That it is a basic
issue was my point. Of course there are others, like hours to be worked, and
so forth. Just the basics that anyone with common sense can recognize.
>
> Bonnie, I know what you're digging at here. You want to know how to do
your job
> so they can't hold your feet to the fire later. That's a pretty deep CYA
complex.
> CYA is not how professionals work. Its how bureaucrats and politicians
work.
>
The subject here is the behavior of Steve's manager. I have been unemployed
through no fault of my own for a year, and I have never been concerned with
anything but giving my employer my best work. I am happy to report that I
have successfully delivered nothing but my best efforts to all of my
employers. Your slander of me is noted.
> The fact is things change. And if you can't handle change, then you
shouldn't get
> involved with organizations that change a lot. Its just that simple.
>
The issue is not change. The issue is how Steve should deal with a manager
who takes his work without advance notice and judges him on it.
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