How to deal with gender differences at work

Dear Readers: I received the following e-mail from a woman about the different styles of men and women and I thought it raised interesting points.”As a kid growing up on a farm, I was very aware of what was ‘men’s work’ and what was ‘women’s work.’ Men were responsible for things [...]

How to get out of a rut

Dear WW: I just realized that I’m in a rut. I’ve become cynical and I’d rather complain than do anything to fix my situation. I’VE SEEN THE ENEMY, IT’S ME
Dear ME,
Your email reminded me of the school board election in Mississippi County, Arkansas, earlier this fall. There was no winner, because not one person voted [...]

How to deal with a verbal warning

Dear WW: I have had a spotless record in twenty years of work. I was shocked to suddenly get a verbal warning. What should I do? SLAPPED
Dear SLAPPED,
Your email reminded me of the time I’d just finished my meeting on the 40th floor of the Sears Tower. I asked the receptionist how to get to [...]

How to ask for help at work and not lose credibility

Dear WW: I came to a difficult realization recently: just the thought of asking for help makes my skin crawl. I know there are people out there who ask for help, but I can’t do it. Am I crazy? GO IT ALONE
Dear ALONE,
Your email reminded me of a Russian man who had spent hours training [...]

How to maintain your privacy at work

Dear WW: I keep reading articles about identity theft. I didn’t take privacy seriously, but now I’m careful about giving out personal information. Should I also be concerned about the same kind of issues at work? NOT GOING PUBLIC
Dear PUBLIC,
A 36-year-old man was tackled by customers after he had robbed the Zion’s Bank in Salt [...]

How to deal with a failing boss

Dear WW: What can you do when your boss is in trouble at work? Is there any way to avoid going down with him? SINKING SHIP
Dear SINKING,
Your email got me thinking about Brian Kline. He was playing with his dad’s handcuffs from a previous job he’d had as a security guard. On Father’s Day he [...]

How to deal with a employee who is failing

Dear WW: I’ve got an employee who has a great deal of potential, but he isn’t getting the job done. Any advice on how to turn this around? FUSTRATED
Dear FRUSTRATED,
As I was thinking about your question, I thought of John Gladney. He was arrested in Columbus, Ohio after robbing a bank and jamming the money [...]