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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Yesterday our company sent out a mass email about a role-palying workshop for customer service being offered.
Quoting part of the email: During the workshop, your learning coaches will simulate customer calls with you and then provide you with immediate and actionable feedback on your performance. There is no test at the conclusion of the workshop, and your individual performance during the session is confidential. At the conclusion of the workshop, you and your roleplay coach will develop an action plan to help you put your learning to practice. After you complete the workshop, you and your agency principal will receive a follow-up e-mail with a copy of the action plan you developed to help you bring the principles you learned to life in your agency.
Now, I am in sales, but also do some customer service and did so with this company for almost 20 years. I ignored the email. Today I come in and in my email is a note from my boss telling me he volunteered me to do this, and there was an email from out district manager thanking me for "agreeing to participate".
That got me POed. I have no problem with speaking to people , selling, etc...but I have no interest in this since I have 20 years expericence with no complaints and I don't want some kid , my COACH, telling me what I can do better, or should do, etc..and I don't appreciate being volunteered behind my back. So I wrote him back, and politely said, I am sorry but I never agreed to do this and really have no interest after 20 years of excellent service. He is out at an event today, so we'll see what happens when he gets back or checks his email.
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Posted 5/22/08 2:02 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
the only reason i wouldn't agree to do it is because i HATE role-playing exercises  but i don't think you did anything terribly wrong with sending that email to your boss. he could have, and should have, asked you before volunteering you for the course.
that being said, i wouldn't have turned it down, had he asked. even after 20 years of service i am sure there is something i could still learn that would improve my skills and make me more valuable to the company... in today's economy, you can't be too safe, and i think this would be a great opportunity to win brownie points with your boss. 
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:08 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
I also HATE role playing exercises, which of course adds to my resistance, I have to admit. But ASK me or at least TELL me you want me to do it. I don't even do customer service anymore.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:12 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Could it be he volunteered you to participate as a coach? I hope you can get out of it.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:13 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
If my boss wanted me to participate in something & signed me up for it, I would say it's not my call. I would discuss with him in person if my time would be best spent doing something else. If he said no, I'd go.
You can always learn something, even if it's how to deal with a younger manager.
I think it was presumptuous to send the email you did & if I was your boss, I'd be pretty annoyed.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:14 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
No, but that should be the case! I am under the impression this is for new hires, this is also in the email:
New agents, under 24 months of service, were selected for the program.
Thanks!
I'm really poed.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:16 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
I would go to the training and suffer through it.
If my boss wants me to receive additional training, no matter my level of experience or past performance, I will take advantage of the opportunity. Even if I think it's bogus, I'll go because it's part of what my boss expects. Similarly, when I tell people working for me to go to training, I don't expect emails back telling me that they're not going b/c they simply don't want to participate. There have been a lot of training seminars I've had to go to over the years. Several sounded absolutely painful when I read about them and I couldn't understand why my boss wanted me to go. I went and found out that the experience was actually really good. Regardless, a few hours of my time for training, if my boss expects it of me, isn't that big of a deal.
Sure, role playing is annoying and I hate it, too... but not enough to just flat out tell my boss I won't go when he's specifically asked me to participate.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:18 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by nrthshgrl
If my boss wanted me to participate in something & signed me up for it, I would say it's not my call. I would discuss with him in person if my time would be best spent doing something else. If he said no, I'd go.
You can always learn something, even if it's how to deal with a younger manager.
I think it was presumptuous to send the email you did & if I was your boss, I'd be pretty annoyed.
To tell you the truth, I don't care if he is annoyed. I am annoyed. And I have the right to say so, and I did. All he has to do was tell me before he volunteered me for some unnecessary crap.
I don't have a younger manager amd that is not my concern. I do not like to be anyone's guinea pig. I'd be way less annoyed if he had told me first.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:21 PM |
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bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
I would just go and deal with it. Maybe he wanted you to participate because you have had 20 years of experience and others at the workshop can learn from your experience! you can show them a thing or two, KWIM?
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:23 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by Babe49
Posted by nrthshgrl
If my boss wanted me to participate in something & signed me up for it, I would say it's not my call. I would discuss with him in person if my time would be best spent doing something else. If he said no, I'd go.
You can always learn something, even if it's how to deal with a younger manager.
I think it was presumptuous to send the email you did & if I was your boss, I'd be pretty annoyed.
To tell you the truth, I don't care if he is annoyed. I am annoyed. And I have the right to say so, and I did. All he has to do was tell me before he volunteered me for some unnecessary crap.
I don't have a younger manager amd that is not my concern. I do not like to be anyone's guinea pig. I'd be way less annoyed if he had told me first.
In the grand scheme of things, this is NOT something worth getting this upset over. There were far more tactful and professional ways to handle the situation, as I'm sure you're aware after 20 years of customer service experience. Even if you feel what your boss did was unfair, you could have approached him about it differently. You should have spoken to him in person when he returned to the office or, if you prefer emailing him, asked him if there was a particular reason why he wanted you to go.
To be honest, I'd be really upset to receive that response from an employee. If I tell an employee to participate in a training opportunity, there is a reason. If I were to get a response back saying "I don't want to do this b/c I've been doing my job so well for x number of years," I'd be very annoyed.
We ALL have to do things we don't like or don't want to do at work. That's life. It's how we react to these situations that annoy us that show who we really are to our superiors.
You have every right to be annoyed by the way he handled it if that is how you feel; however, I personally think there were more professional ways to express your feelings about it - no matter how your boss chose to handle it.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:25 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
it sounds quite the opposite.
It sounds like he wants you to act as the coach?
Am I reading it wrong?
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:25 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by Kara
I would go to the training and suffer through it.
If my boss wants me to receive additional training, no matter my level of experience or past performance, I will take advantage of the opportunity. Even if I think it's bogus, I'll go because it's part of what my boss expects. Similarly, when I tell people working for me to go to training, I don't expect emails back telling me that they're not going b/c they simply don't want to participate. There have been a lot of training seminars I've had to go to over the years. Several sounded absolutely painful when I read about them and I couldn't understand why my boss wanted me to go. I went and found out that the experience was actually really good. Regardless, a few hours of my time for training, if my boss expects it of me, isn't that big of a deal.
Sure, role playing is annoying and I hate it, too... but not enough to just flat out tell my boss I won't go when he's specifically asked me to participate.
HE NEVER ASKED ME and it is optional. It is for new hires who are doing customer service. I sit through MANY meetings and webcasts that are mandatory and boring, and some that are optional when new things are introduced in the company and I need to learn about it. I managed my last office, same company, and always spoke to the staff before signing them up for anything. If I have to go I will have to suck it uo and go obviously, but I want to be told before I get emails thanking me for volunteering.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:26 PM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by Babe49
...but I have no interest in this since I have 20 years expericence with no complaints and I don't want some kid , my COACH, telling me what I can do better, or should do, etc..
Actually, you sound bitter here and maybe that is why they are "recommending" you go.
There is nothing wrong with shapening your skills or taking a refresher course.
Being a "kid" at my job, I can tell you that the people with 20 years experience could learn a thing or two. They are so in their routine that they don't even see that they could be doing thing much more efficiently.
And, maybe I am alone here, but if my BOSS volunteered me for a course, I would take the hint. Maybe you should ask him/her WHY they volunteered you.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:38 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by Kara
Posted by Babe49
Posted by nrthshgrl
If my boss wanted me to participate in something & signed me up for it, I would say it's not my call. I would discuss with him in person if my time would be best spent doing something else. If he said no, I'd go.
You can always learn something, even if it's how to deal with a younger manager.
I think it was presumptuous to send the email you did & if I was your boss, I'd be pretty annoyed.
To tell you the truth, I don't care if he is annoyed. I am annoyed. And I have the right to say so, and I did. All he has to do was tell me before he volunteered me for some unnecessary crap.
I don't have a younger manager amd that is not my concern. I do not like to be anyone's guinea pig. I'd be way less annoyed if he had told me first.
In the grand scheme of things, this is NOT something worth getting this upset over. There were far more tactful and professional ways to handle the situation, as I'm sure you're aware after 20 years of customer service experience. Even if you feel what your boss did was unfair, you could have approached him about it differently. You should have spoken to him in person when he returned to the office or, if you prefer emailing him, asked him if there was a particular reason why he wanted you to go.
To be honest, I'd be really upset to receive that response from an employee. If I tell an employee to participate in a training opportunity, there is a reason. If I were to get a response back saying "I don't want to do this b/c I've been doing my job so well for x number of years," I'd be very annoyed.
We ALL have to do things we don't like or don't want to do at work. That's life. It's how we react to these situations that annoy us that show who we really are to our superiors.
You have every right to be annoyed by the way he handled it if that is how you feel; however, I personally think there were more professional ways to express your feelings about it - no matter how your boss chose to handle it.
Well, I didnt word my email to him as, "I don't want to do this b/c I've been doing my job so well for x number of years," I simply said, , I am sorry, but I was unaware of this and never agreed to participate as the email states. Is this mandatory, because I no longer do customer service which i did for 19 years. I dont think that lacks tact or is unprofessional.
In the end if he wants me to do it, fine, but I deserve respect as well. I emailed him because that is how he told me about it, and he is out of the office until Tuesday. We have to register by tomorrow.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:39 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by Babe49
HE NEVER ASKED ME and it is optional. It is for new hires who are doing customer service. I sit through MANY meetings and webcasts that are mandatory and boring, and some that are optional when new things are introduced in the company and I need to learn about it. I managed my last office, same company, and always spoke to the staff before signing them up for anything. If I have to go I will have to suck it uo and go obviously, but I want to be told before I get emails thanking me for volunteering.
Should he have told you that he was volunteering you before doing it? Yes, it was a matter of courtesy.
Is it necessary for him to ask your permission? No - not if the training takes place during work hours.
What I'm trying to say is it isn't voluntary if your boss has told you he is signing you up - whether it be as a participant or a coach.
We've had employees skip training because they knew better. What they didn't know is that I was told to start a file on them for probation.
I hope your boss didn't take your email the way I did & it goes well for you.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:42 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by Blu-ize
it sounds quite the opposite.
It sounds like he wants you to act as the coach?
Am I reading it wrong?
Yeah, apaprently they want us to do some role-palying and a coach will be one on one with you and then tell you how to improve or what you could have said better, etccc...which is not a bad thing, even though I hate role-palying. I just no longer am in that dept. and again, was just kinda thrown into it! If I know my boss, he tends to not read things thru,and I am beginning to think he didnt not realize it was for new hires. My boss and I get along great, it is a small office for a large company, and I am just the type of person that speaks up when I am not happy with the way something was handled. I am not looking to fight with him and was in no way rude. And yeah I am ticked but it is not ruining my day or anything. Tt is what it is, but I felt compelled to tell him I appreciate a heads up next time.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:44 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Here is what I said word for word:
Hi, J,
Is this workshop mandatory? I'm sorry, I don't recall agreeing to participate in this as the email (from M our disctirict mgr) stated. Also, it says it is for customer service reps./new hires. I did customer service for almost 20 years, and I really don't think I am interested in doing it. Let me know if I need to call M.
I wrote that to my boss when I got the THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING email from M, district manager.
I'll let you all know the outcome, thanks guys!
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:52 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Posted by pmpkn087
Posted by Babe49
...but I have no interest in this since I have 20 years expericence with no complaints and I don't want some kid , my COACH, telling me what I can do better, or should do, etc..
Actually, you sound bitter here and maybe that is why they are "recommending" you go.
There is nothing wrong with shapening your skills or taking a refresher course.
Being a "kid" at my job, I can tell you that the people with 20 years experience could learn a thing or two. They are so in their routine that they don't even see that they could be doing thing much more efficiently.
And, maybe I am alone here, but if my BOSS volunteered me for a course, I would take the hint. Maybe you should ask him/her WHY they volunteered you.
I am not bitter at all, I love my job. My boss and Iget along great, I just want to be told when I am volunteered for something. I no longer do customer service, I am in sales and had a great year last year. Our office exceeded our quotas and we all got a nice bonus.
Sure, if he wants me to betetr myself, that's great, I am ok with that, but he should have told me. I can't deny that a part of my being so irritated is I hate role-playing. So that did set me off.
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| Posted 5/22/08 2:59 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Kinda ticked @ boss...WWYD?
Ok so I just came home for lunch. The more I think of it I think what most irritated me is the fact that I hate role-playing and probably would not have thought twice if it were for a different kind of workshop.
I still don't think my email to my boss was way out of line, had he been in the office, yes I would have spoken to him in person, but our deadline to register is tomorrow, and again, he is out until Tuesday.
So, thanks again all!
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| Posted 5/22/08 3:25 PM |
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