TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Coworker who won't take no for an answer From:"Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com> To:<john -at- garisons -dot- com>, "Blount, Patricia A" <Patricia -dot- Blount -at- ca -dot- com> Date:Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:14:55 -0700
Based on Patricia's original post there have already been
eight or nine LWLs, finally followed by a (probably not LWL)
statement that she and her sons think the coworker's hobby
is "lame" (am I the only one who's thinking this hobby likely
involves either comic books or Star Trek?) The next step is
a direct "I don't want to have this conversation again" that
presents no further reasons that the coworker can make
additional attempts to campaign against, and a private
conversation with her manager. She has no way of
knowing how many others he may have behaved this way
toward, what actions if any management may have taken
in the past to attempt to deal with previous incidents, or
how he may have reacted to previous attempts by others
to cut this behavior off. Any potential "devastating
consequences" or effects on the project that escalation
may have will pale in comparison to the consequences or
effects that may result if any of coworker's other "hobbies"
happen to involve sharp objects or firearms.
As professionals in our field, what results do we usually
expect when the untrained attempt to handle the unfamiliar
without proper support?
Gene Kim-Eng
----- Original Message -----
From: <john -at- garisons -dot- com>
All the responses to your problem are viable, but IMHO, they seem a little
harsh. Someone said that the guy may just be a little dense, and I think
that's probably the case (based on my experience as a guy).
I don't think escalating this to HR or his manager or yours is called for
... yet.
Perhaps the LWL (little white lie) is called for: Tell him that you talked
it over with your sons and your Serious Love Interest, and they you've
decided as a family that there's just not room in your busy lives for yet
another time commitment. Perhaps that will get him to realize that the
object of his affection is not available or interested.
If that doesn't work, then perhaps escalation is called for. I have seen
situations where, once HR was brought it, it had devastating consequences
in situations that deserved a more tactful approach. And that could have
an effect on a project if he gets fired.
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help gives you everything you need to author and
publish quality Help, Web, and print content. Perfect for technical
authors, developers, and policy writers. Download a FREE trial. http://www.componentone.com/DocToHelp/
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
