From surprise haircuts to parking-lot standoffs, HR pros share the bizarre and unbelievable situations they handle so the rest of us don’t have to.
Complete the gaps in the article extract
below with the words in bold:
influence legit in bulk clocking in (x2)
den skeptical ear fit
Last week, I hosted a conference called Spring Forward HR. Participants submitted stories about the problems they had to handle and the employees and managers they encountered. (…)
- Buying supplies from the employer
We had an employee throw a complete a). ………. because we wouldn’t let her buy supplies from the company’s inventory.
We purchase b). ……….. and tax-free. She thought she should be able to get in on those deals too.
No. Go to Costco like everyone else.
- Dealing with “concerned citizens”
A concerned citizen called to report that one of our trucks was parked outside a known drug c) …… .
The GPS confirmed the location.
Turns out the employee was picking up his kid from daycare, which happened to be across the street. Totally d) ……….. . (…)
- The mystery weekend gym routine
Weekend workers were e) ……..… and then leaving to go to the gym for 1–2 hours before coming back.
They claimed badge errors when questioned.
Unfortunately for them, security footage showed them f) ………. (same as e) wearing gym clothes and carrying gym bags. (…)
- The fake emergencies
At one job, I probably had 30-plus employees fake emergencies—bereavement, illness, fleas, getting kicked out of their homes.
Some of those things do happen.
But when the same excuses repeat over and over, HR develops a very g) ………….. .
- The Beer Friday mediation disaster
We had a mediation we were handling for a client. One of the issues in the argument was around the employee potentially being at work under the h) ……………, and the company’s “position of strength” was their absolute no-tolerance for alcohol in the workplace.
Which worked great until the former employee produced pictures of the company fridge filled to the brim for weekly beer Fridays … (…)
In order to read the whole article/check your answers, go to: https://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/14-unhinged-workplace-stories-that-prove-hr-professionals-deserve-a-medal
Key: a) fit; b) in bulk; c) den; d) legit; e)&f) clocking in; g) skeptical ear h) influence
Glossary
- (fill sth) to the brim – completely full; filled to the very top edge of a container
- seizure – a sudden attack of an illness, especially one that affects the brain
- standoff – a situation in which neither side in a fight or argument can win or make progress; a deadlock or stalemate
- to cuss – to curse or use profanity/swear words while complaining about a specific topic
Practice makes perfect
Read the article:
https://www.inc.com/alison-green/my-employee-is-sobbing-at-her-desk-every-week
and match each phrase (A–E) with the correct definition (1–5).
A. walking on eggshells
B. take its toll
C. set expectations
D. reasonable accommodations
E. leave of absence
1. to clearly explain what behavior or performance is required
2. changes made to help someone do their job despite difficulties
3. being very careful not to upset someone
4. time away from work, usually approved, for personal or health reasons
5. to have a negative effect over time
Key: A3; B5; C1; D2; E4
Choose the correct phrase A-E (above) to complete each sentence.
1. The manager needs to clearly ……….. so everyone understands their role.
2. Employees felt like they were ……….. around her to avoid making her upset.
3. After months of stress, the situation began to ………….. on the team.
4. He decided to take a …………… to deal with personal issues.
5. The company offered ………….. such as flexible working hours.
Key: 1C; 2A; 3B; 4E; 5D
Discuss
- Based on the stories above, how would you define the role of HR beyond just “hiring and firing”?
- In the standoff story, the employee’s friends “cussed out” HR as they left. Why does HR often become the “villain” in the eyes of employees, even when they are handling dangerous situations like potential DUIs?
- In many of these stories (the gym routine, the hair on the floor, the sobbing), the root issue is a lack of clear communication. If you were the CEO, what one policy would you implement to prevent these “bizarre” situations from happening in the first place?
- If an employee is crying at her desk every week, is that an HR issue, a performance issue, or a personal health issue? How should a manager approach this without overstepping?
Watch and Revise!
HR’s Wildest Stories
You Won’t Believe What They Handle
https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/5KQ8DTrpCdX7yeP
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