Bill was having a hard time keeping up with his workload. He was starting to feel a stressed out over the situation. He tried to talk to his manager about how he was feeling and to see if he could get some additional help. His manager responded that he too was very busy, but that he would discuss the issue with him later, maybe the following week.
One week went by and then two, Bill still had not heard from his manager. He did not want to bug him, as he knew he was extremely busy, but he was falling behind in his work and was beginning to panic over it.
When Bill saw his manager in the break room he felt he needed to approach him regarding the situation. He told his manager that he needed to discuss the issue; of his workload, that things were getting quite critical. His manager patted him on the back and said, “do the best you can Bill, we all have a lot of work to do and I am sure you will figure a way to get caught up.”
Bill was amazed by his manager’s response and lack of concern for him and the job that he was responsible for. The more he thought about his manager’s uncaring approach the more he knew this job was not for him and he turned in his resignation.
After hearing of Bill’s resignation his manager’s response was, “he wasn’t the right person for the job.” He never addressed the issues that Bill had expressed to find out what the problems were.
Businesses with managers who turn a “deaf ear” to employee’s questions, concerns and complaints will have a high turnover. Their reason for this will always point to an outward problem, not inward where the issue actually lies.
Managers, who take the time listen to employee concerns and problem and then respond to help resolve them, show employees that they are valued and what they have to say is valued.
Most of the time employee questions can be answered quickly. Very few employee issues require “fast action.” What they do require is acknowledgement and then given a time frame in which they will be resolved or discussed further.
Do not be a deaf manager; your staff and company will pay dearly for it.
Komen