mashley
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« on: June 08, 2009, 03:55:21 pm » |
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Co-worker A (CWA) was scheduled to meet presenter B at 9:00 am to set up presentation in the auditorium for 9:30. At 9:15, presenter B called me, CWA had not shown up. I go try to help, but it's a different system than I'm used to, and I cannot figure out how to make the presentation work. At 9:45, Presenter announces to the audience we cannot make it work, lecture will be at 3:30 in different location. (one where I can work all the components).
I send out an e-mail to the organizers, stating why it was re-scheduled.
At 10:30, I get a phone call from CWA's boss (who I had copied on the e-mail) telling me not to be too hard on CWA. She wasn't here because she locked her keys in her car at the hotel where another presentation was taking place at 8:30 for same group. When I said CWA should have called to let us know so we could find other assistance, I was told that Presentation was the last thing on her mind and she shouldn't be expected to remember to call.
Am I wrong in thinking CWA dropped the ball by not calling? The hotel had phones she could have used, if her cell was locked in her car as well, but she didn't. Thoughts?
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gee4
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« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2009, 04:06:54 pm » |
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Yes I agree. If I had to be at one location for a certain time and ended up stuck at another, then yes I would have made a call to inform someone.
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Atlanta Z3
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« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2009, 06:53:13 pm » |
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I would have tried to take it one step further and had an emergency back up person to call, or the presenter's phone number and walk through the set up process. But as this person's boss is taking up for him/her there isn't much you can do. Possible other variables (other than car issue) contributing so boss is giving benefit of the doubt.
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peaches2160
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« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2009, 12:41:23 am » |
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I would have called to let someone know the problem and would have had a back up or walked the person though the set up. It does sound as if there is more to this.
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rose.winter1980
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« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2009, 12:06:01 pm » |
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All these replies are quite correct. However, the phone call you had from CWA's boss suggests that you may have inadvertently put something in the email that made him/her phone you to ask you "not to be too hard on CWA". I wonder what that was and whether, on reflection, it was appropriate? I'm sure it was inadvertent, but it's worth a thought or two.
Stuff happens in life - accidents, delays, disappointments, things go wrong etc. It may be that we are absent-minded, careless, incompetent - whatever. And you can bet your bottom dollar that "stuff" will happen when there are plenty of people around to take notice that you have messed up. It is always best, though, to try to leave the other person (the one who has messed up) with their dignity.
The way your post comes across is this: your colleague was unavoidably detained because she had locked her keys in her car and for whatever reason she didn't call in to say why she was delayed. There may have been a number of reasons, some very compelling ones, for her forgetting to call in to say she was delayed, and ones which possibly only her manager knows about. Yes, she "dropped the ball" by not calling in, but you may have let yourself down by what you put in your email.
It's possibly a good example to use to set up a system of back-up people. No single individual in an organisation should be the sole repository of information or technical know-how.
Winter Rose
Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance
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Atlanta Z3
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« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2009, 02:42:54 pm » |
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Good points Winter Rose. It would be my luck to lock the keys and the cell phone in the car while standing there with the nail polish trying to mend a run in my hose.
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mashley
Newbie
Posts: 22
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« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2009, 02:45:13 pm » |
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I've re-read my e-mail,and had someone else read it, so I don't think it came across as harsh, but CWA's boss has a history of coddling her employees and she doesn't want anyone to hurt CWA's feelings. But I realized that CWA's boss knew shortly after 9:00 that CWA wasn't going to be able to set up the presentation, and didn't call either. So it's more a departmental failing.
I understand things happen, but this wasn't a local or employees only presentation, this was a national event, with attendees from across the country from like organizations.
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gee4
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« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2009, 02:54:04 pm » |
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Can I just add something here. Whilst I see all sides of this incident, can I point out that some co-workers are not interested in being a "back-up".
Previously I organised a large annual 2-day conference. My co-worker who started the company 5 months after me was so up herself, everything was "my" job. She didn't want me to share info or show her how to do things or tell her where documents were kept/filed etc, in case heaven forbid, one day she might have to step in and assist.
I feel for this person I do, but I also understand that if it's a departmental issue, then a back-up should have been put in place.
It's the old saying, shouldda, couldda, wouldda....
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rose.winter1980
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« Reply #8 on: June 09, 2009, 03:47:17 pm » |
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Quite so, Museumgal: that's when people really mess up - at something high-profile when everyone notices.
Well, it's over with and all you can do is acquaint yourself with the bit of knowledge this colleague possesses and next time this happens you can show just how splendid you are.
Winter Rose
Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance
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