Blog: Bonnie Monych

Right now, seems like so much fear is present in the workplace.  Fear can be detrimental to both the employee and the employer.  Fear stops productivity, it creates suspicion and generally produces negativity.  So what are we to do?

First of all, make sure that your fears are REAL.  Check the facts, ask questions, do some of your own research.  Too many times we let everyone else tell us how we are supposed to feel.  Fear, after all, is an emotion.

If indeed you find you have reason to be fearful, create an ACTION PLAN.  I realize that you have little or no control over company staff reductions, the market or whether your company decides to sell.  You do have control over HOW YOU WILL REACT.  Immediately cut your expenses in half (don't wait for the pink slip).  Let everyone know that this holiday season you are limited in your gifting and get creative with homemade gifts.  Stop going to Starbucks for coffee and take your lunch to work.  Make a game out of seeing how much money YOU CAN'T SPEND  and build yourself some savings to fall back on.

Don't just 'update' your resume, create a marketing brochure that focuses on what you can do to help a company make or save money in the form of 'accomplishment statements'.  It is not enough to list your duties and responsibilities by employer, you have to clearly and concisely communicate who you are, what you are good at, and how you can contribute to the success of potential employers.  Once again, don't wait for the pink slip.

Start identifying a number of organizations that you believe can use your specific skills and do some research.  Create your marketing 'hit list' and know exactly who to contact.  Begin networking at every opportunity.  Time to start attending your industry association meetings and getting in contact with colleagues.  Get out there!

Believe me, doing these things will begin to chase that Fear away, because you will FEEL more in control.  The truth of the matter is that each and every one of us are more in control than we think we are.  Fear, after all, is an emotion and how we FEEL is up to us!

Now you will be way ahead of the game if and when you get that pink slip . . . and maybe you might find an opportunity instead of waiting for opportunity to find you.

Opportunity doesn't knock, it whispers, so start listening!

Doctor B

Ever feel like you are on the adventure of the Wizard of Oz? You are tying to follow the "yellow brick road of success" and all along the way you are faced with challenges that sometimes feel too big to handle. Considering the current employment situation, more and more people are telling me that they feel trapped in an increasingly hostile work environment.

What exactly is a hostile work environment? Well, recent law on hostile work environment harassment says that "bad behavior" can now constitute unlawful behavior, primarily to any protected class. So, it is now about "how" the behavior makes the victim "feel." What is important for both employees and employers to understand is that this is measured not by the intentions of the harasser or by the bias of the employee or employer. It is measured by the perception of the victim. So a hostile work environment is all about interpersonal behavior. Hence the sticky wicked.

Let's say that you feel that your boss is constantly questioning your work, leaving you out of meetings, screams at you in front of others and criticizing your every move? Is this a hostile work environment? Do you feel like a victim or is your boss an equal opportunity abuser? Hence the sticky wicked.

For me, I think the bottom line is that if you literally feel sick on Monday morning about going to work, something is wrong. If you get nauseated at the thought of having to communicate with your boss, something is wrong. Now, we have all had some creepy bosses (you may be a creepy boss. . .you know who you are) that just seem to be a pain from time to time. I am not talking about those. You can't expect to get along beautifully with everybody all of the time--we are people after all! I am talking about a work "atmosphere" that seriously effects your productivity, the ability to do your job well and enjoy the commodore of your colleagues.

In normal employment conditions, most people would simply start looking for another job and resign as soon as possible ( I hope), but this is not so easy in today's job market. So, I am asked "what can I do?" My advice would be to first try and have a conversation with your boss about your concerns and how you are feeling. Be prepared to provide some solutions and make sure your boss understands that you want to be as productive as you can. If that doesn't improve things somewhat (don't expect miracles) the next step would be to have a confidential conversation with someone in your Human Resources department. Perhaps they could look for another position within the company that you would be well suited for, or perhaps they can provide some guidance in dealing with a difficult boss, etc. My point being that you can and should do something! I can definitely advise you that now is a good time to be updating your resume, improving your skill sets, taking a class and networking. You will want to be "ready" when the job market improves to make a move.

You should let your Human Resource department know that you think you are working in a Hostile work environment as they need to know if this is a possibility. They will know what actions to take to investigate such an concern and will thank you for the 'heads up.'

Life is not fair, work is not usually a haven, and money doesn't grow on trees. Oh to be a kid again!!!

Doctor Bonnie