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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Need help with wording an e-mail
Background: I am the HR manager for a small company. The same 5 women (myself included) are in this office everyday. The rest of the staff is in the field. One gives everyone the silent treatment, the other constantly says "not my job", the other is moody, the other is super sensitive and prone to crying- and then there is me. The co. is individually owned, so I have to run everything by the owner. In a "normal" company, I would have taken action already but since it's here...I have to "ask". The owners are hardly here so when they are not here, it is unbearable...
Here's what I have so far:
"Boss,
I think we need to have a meeting with A, B, C, D and myself. The hostility in the office has gotten to a breaking point. There is just too much silent treatment, hostility and "not my job" going around. It is not conducive to anything and I think it really needs to be addressed. "
I don't want the boss to take things personally but honestly, it is miserable here everyday. Should I change / add anything?
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Posted 6/29/07 4:24 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
I probably wouldn't get specific and you sound a bit negative. Since you are the HR person you shoul dbe a more neutral person and also take a mgr sort of view. I would say:
Boss,
I am noticing an atmosphere in the office that is heading towards negative. I believe you, I, A, B, C etc should meet next week. I would like to speak with you privately before. Please let me know when you would be available.,
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:33 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Thank you Melissa  That's what I was looking for. I knew it sounded too harsh, but I guess bc today was very bad and I am taking it personally bc it makes each day a b!tch.
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:34 PM |
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MrsNaunie
Kai helps my father dump out.
Member since 9/06 1181 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Dear boss,
We should be a team, me- A,b,c, and d. But we're just a bunch of "I"s. There is no I in team.
But there is an I in I quit.
Later skater.
Message edited 6/29/2007 4:37:06 PM.
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:36 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Have you already given the boss the heads-up about these behaviors, with examples?
I would keep the email a bit more general.
"I am requesting a meeting with A, B, C, D and myself. There are a number of workplace performance issues that need to be addressed. I would be happy to update you with examples of recent behaviors of concern."
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:37 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by MrsNaunie
Dear boss,
We should be a team, me- A,b,c, and d. But we're just a bunch of "I"s. There is no I in team.
But there is an I in I quit.
Later skater.
I wish !  (soon maybe  )
eta: Smiles, it's not really about performance issues, it is literally about how they are treating each other (i am like a neutral switzerland).
Message edited 6/29/2007 4:38:23 PM.
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:37 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by MrsNaunie
Dear boss,
We should be a team, me- A,b,c, and d. But we're just a bunch of "I"s. There is no I in team.
But there is an I in I quit.
Later skater.
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:39 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by CaseyGirl
eta: Smiles, it's not really about performance issues, it is literally about how they are treating each other (i am like a neutral switzerland).
When the one says "not my job," is she avoiding tasks that she should be doing?
Anyhow, attitude is a component of workplace performance. An employee needs to be able to communicate (maturely) and relate to their co-workers in order to do their job effectively.
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:41 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by Smiles111
Posted by CaseyGirl
eta: Smiles, it's not really about performance issues, it is literally about how they are treating each other (i am like a neutral switzerland).
When the one says "not my job," is she avoiding tasks that she should be doing?
Anyhow, attitude is a component of workplace performance. An employee needs to be able to communicate (maturely) and relate to their co-workers in order to do their job effectively.
No, it's more like, she is not being a team player, ex. the receptionist has 3 calls on hold and she asks this person to please help and pick up line 1 and take a message - she will respond "not my job" 
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:45 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
I know you don't want to hear this, but I probably wouldn't do this in an email.
I would call or set up a meeting to talk about it.
With the environment you are dealing with, I wouldn't trust that the email wouldn't get out somehow and just make things worse.
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:46 PM |
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Smiles111
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Member since 12/06 1905 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by CaseyGirl
No, it's more like, she is not being a team player, ex. the receptionist has 3 calls on hold and she asks this person to please help and pick up line 1 and take a message - she will respond "not my job"
She sounds like a peach 
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:48 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by leighla
I know you don't want to hear this, but I probably wouldn't do this in an email.
I would call or set up a meeting to talk about it.
With the environment you are dealing with, I wouldn't trust that the email wouldn't get out somehow and just make things worse.
Yeah I see your point, but every time I try to talk face to face with the boss, she is multitasking and barely even looking at me. So I figured I would e-mail and that would get her attention - then we could talk one on one.
Ahhhh Eff it, just get me out of here!!!!!!!!!!!! 
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:53 PM |
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bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by MrsNaunie
Dear boss,
We should be a team, me- A,b,c, and d. But we're just a bunch of "I"s. There is no I in team.
But there is an I in I quit.
Later skater.
LMAO!
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| Posted 6/29/07 4:54 PM |
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cutie
LIF Adult
Member since 2/06 1893 total posts
Name:
Janine
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
Posted by CaseyGirl
Posted by leighla
I know you don't want to hear this, but I probably wouldn't do this in an email.
I would call or set up a meeting to talk about it.
With the environment you are dealing with, I wouldn't trust that the email wouldn't get out somehow and just make things worse.
Yeah I see your point, but every time I try to talk face to face with the boss, she is multitasking and barely even looking at me. So I figured I would e-mail and that would get her attention - then we could talk one on one.
Ahhhh Eff it, just get me out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you ask to meet before the workday starts or go out to lunch together? I know what you mean about multi-tasking!
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| Posted 6/30/07 4:24 PM |
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Jesaroo
is not the girl you knew
Member since 5/05 14266 total posts
Name:
Jes
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
i liked the the first suggestion. you just dont want to sound like you are pointing fingers. good luckthough, i hope it gets resolved!
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| Posted 6/30/07 4:30 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: Need help with wording an e-mail
Sounds like you need out. The work environment is not for you. It also sounds like it won't change.
I wish you lots of luck. Do you want to come work in NYC?
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| Posted 6/30/07 4:33 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
I would send an e-mail to the co-workers and cc the boss, saying that you would like to all meet together "to discuss the tense and difficult working environment" and list some dates/times/locations. Good luck
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| Posted 6/30/07 5:19 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Need help with wording an e-mail
"We need to talk b/c if I have to work with these people another day I might go postal!" J/K
I like the 1st suggestion also.
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| Posted 6/30/07 5:36 PM |
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