269
votes
Accepted
Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissal
When threatened with dismissal, the first step is to consult a lawyer. After you did this, follow the advice given. Most likely it will include talking to your seniors about the fact that they gave ...
- 137k
234
votes
Accepted
Can I avoid informal personal interactions at companies that offer free lunch?
What you're defining as a "professional standard" is at best very outdated in the modern world. Sure, there are bounds to any professional relationship but that doesn't have to mean you have ...
- 106k
156
votes
Fair treatment for employees always late due to public transport
I myself rely on public transport to get to work. I've taken several steps to mitigate the issues, hopefully they will help.
Talked to my boss about the situation and worked with him to find a ...
- 1,704
89
votes
Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissal
What I would do in your case is simply ask the clear question in all honesty (during the meeting with the directors, or perhaps later):
"Are you looking for my resignation? I'm happy to prepare a ...
- 2,741
88
votes
Fair treatment for employees always late due to public transport
I manage a software development team. First question I'd be asking myself, how much does this issue really matter? I understand the desire for consistency, fairness, having rules and being punctual ...
- 809
58
votes
Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissal
This answer is not the most professional course of action, however, in all honesty there's a limit to what professionalism can accomplish. Also note that I have no idea what the workforce is like in ...
- 11.5k
43
votes
Accepted
Is a letter of resignation needed when contractual work(Time-Specific) comes to an end?
After notifying my manager, I was then asked to write a letter of resignation with my final date as contract end to finish off the process.
Ignore that strange request.
You can not "resign" ...
- 32.5k
39
votes
Would it be fair to reprimand employees ignoring government imposed lock down procedures?
To be honest, what his employees do outside of work hours is their own business (provided it's not negatively impacting the company).
The best he can do is send a company wide email reiterating the ...
- 5,219
32
votes
Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissal
You have the advantage of extensive South Africa labour law which includes sections on hours worked, time off, reasonable expectations, and unfair dismissals. This might be a starting point.
...
- 421
30
votes
Accepted
Fair treatment for employees always late due to public transport
Speaking as an employee and someone who has never been in a position of authority as this situation dictates, I find it inexcusable when others are late repeatedly. Sure, we all experience these ...
- 464
27
votes
Can I avoid informal personal interactions at companies that offer free lunch?
Often stuff such as 'free lunches' are perks to attract people to their company. They don't expect it to be a bonding experience or for you to use that perk. They still expect you to be professional ...
- 1,789
26
votes
Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissal
I recall a previous experience to one of my colleagues just as you mention. It is a classic example of setting up someone to fail.
Only difference is that the company had very strict policy for firing ...
- 412
24
votes
Accepted
Would it be fair to reprimand employees ignoring government imposed lock down procedures?
Would it be fair to institute disciplinary action against these employees?
It might be the right thing to do, for their own good. Depending on the work and external culture and how much you value ...
- 218k
20
votes
Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissal
Firstly, don't panic. No matter what happens, there are strong protections for you in law against unfair dismissal here in South Africa.
If they do decide to fire you, you have a legitimate case with ...
- 1,697
19
votes
Is a letter of resignation needed when contractual work(Time-Specific) comes to an end?
If your manager really just asked, as in
"Hey CookieExchange, would you mind putting together an email that
covers what you just told me verbally?"
that seems eminently reasonable. Your ...
- 44.1k
18
votes
Can I avoid informal personal interactions at companies that offer free lunch?
Remember that acting professionally has different meanings and implications depending on the location, the industry, the job, and that it constantly evolves.
If you want to know how to act ...
- 1,139
17
votes
Fair treatment for employees always late due to public transport
As addition to snows answer:
Fair isn't the word you should use. Because fair doesn't exist.
With that out of the way; have you always been their manager? There can be circumstances from the past ...
- 2,523
17
votes
Can I ask to speak to my future colleagues before accepting an offer?
Go for it! It’s not unusual to request a number of phone calls with potential colleagues or to visit a new workplace before accepting an offer.
Talking to potential peers and managers is a very ...
- 12.3k
17
votes
Resigning: Can I recommend a coworker replace me in my resignation letter?
Resignation letter is not a place to mention such details. Resignation letter usually should contain the fact that you are resigning, you are giving notice and your last date of employment. It shouldn'...
- 2,085
17
votes
Would it be fair to reprimand employees ignoring government imposed lock down procedures?
After a telephonic conversation with the company union rep, my friend decidedthe following:
Having a job means performing tasks the company asks of you (provided it's within your abilities and the ...
- 2,170
16
votes
Accepted
How do I move forward after a misunderstanding at our year end function?
Do I just leave things be or do I mail everyone who attended the
function to apologize if my joke offended them?
This situation as described is so trivial, I would not give it a second thought. ...
- 84.8k
14
votes
Can I avoid informal personal interactions at companies that offer free lunch?
I see three very different points to Free Lunch, keeping in mind of course TANSTAAFL.
Simple Benefit to Employees
A free lunch saves each person a few dollars a day. How much depends on how ...
13
votes
Accepted
How much authority does HR actually have?
Well in the words of the esteemed RichardU elsewhere on this stack:
HR is not your friend
But more seriously the answer really is that they have as much or as little authority as senior management ...
- 107k
13
votes
Accepted
Are you entitled to walk away after contract expires?
A contract that has a stated end date in the contract is indeed something where you do not need to take any action. If you don't sign a new contract, that's it. It ran out. It ended.
Are you entitled ...
- 137k
12
votes
Accepted
How do you get a big salary increase in your career, if every job just offers 10% on-top of your entry salary or a yearly increase of 10/8%
Look for a new job when you already have a job.
When talking to a company that is hiring, they will ask you what you are making in your current job.
If you tell them, their offer will be a function of ...
- 2,902
11
votes
Accepted
Is it ethical to inform clients the Store is closing down soon?
Your first responsibility is to your company not the customers.
Imagine if you told all the customers now, they would obviously start jumping ship. This would as you would expect drain money from ...
- 3,410
11
votes
Can I avoid informal personal interactions at companies that offer free lunch?
On the subject of office socializing: I just saw in your comment on another answer that "social interactions are very hard for [you]". You are probably an introvert. While extroverts are ...
- 501
10
votes
Given an ultimatum, threatened with dismissal
First, get some sleep!
After you wake up, you should take seriously the threat that they made - you will be terminated if the project is incomplete.
Specifically, you need to consider:
do you think ...
- 681
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible