My boss fired me because I spoke back to a customer who was being extremely rude to me. Do I have to tolerate this sort of abusive behavior? Can I sue my employer for not protecting my rights?
The old saying “the customer is always right” is actually wrong.
We’ve all seen those customers whose behavior toward a service worker is over the top and abusive. Even if they have a good reason to be upset, there is never a justification for mistreating someone. Your boss probably didn’t fire you for not taking the abuse — more likely you were fired for not following protocol for dealing with an unruly customer, which is usually to disengage and de-escalate and then bring the matter to a supervisor.
It’s definitely not OK to argue with him or her. Also, there is a difference between a customer being upset and one who is mistreating you. I’ve been the former many times myself without resorting to being rude to the person on the other end.
I’m having difficulty managing my remote workers, keeping them productive and feeling a part of the team. Any tips?
Companies that struggle with remote work usually do so because they don’t train their managers in how to engage and manage employees in a different way.
It requires frequent and clear communication and regular check-ins, such as daily stand-ups and weekly team meetings, to ensure that everyone is aligned on priorities and progress.
You also need to make use of technology and collaboration tools, like project management software and instant messaging platforms.
Don’t forget to build-in some virtual fun team activities and informal gatherings, too. Of course, there’s no true substitute for meeting in person, so periodic on-site gatherings go a long way to keeping employees feeling connected.
Finally, remember that the quality of the work and product that is produced on expected time-lines is the ultimate measure of the productivity being achieved.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande