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Safety

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


We have been having some safety/vandalism problems outside our building, and we are trying to work on them. Within the company, we have implemented many motivational programs, including regular meetings between the employees and the company officers, but most of these discussions revert back to safety. We would like to keep the discussion on a higher plane and are wondering what can you suggest.
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On a recent business trip, several of us stayed at the same hotel. After an evening meeting, it was dark when I returned alone to the hotel, so I gave the rental car to the valet. The next morning, one of my associates chastised me about giving the car to valet and said that everyone else parked in the lot. He's mentioned this a couple of times since then. I think this is absurd. Am I off base?
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I go with my manager to several meetings a month outside the office. He insists on driving to these meetings, and the problem is that he spends most of the time on his cell phone, and I can't tell you how many times we've almost been in accidents. I'm a nervous wreck when I drive with him, but he refuses to let me drive. Can you suggest anything?
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A year ago, my boss hired "Joe" to help me with my workload. Joe gets along well with the boss, but everyone else in the office is afraid of him. He has a violent temper and swears constantly. When someone talks nicely to him, he'll make a violent threat like, "How about I smash your head in with a sledgehammer?" I told my boss that we don't feel safe with Joe working here, but he refuses to do anything. In fact, he thinks the whole situation is funny. Should I search for a job elsewhere before Joe gets totally out of hand?
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I've been using a hand-held cell phone for years and have had no problems while driving. The other day my boss told me that I should get rid of it and use a hands-free unit or else pull over when I talk on the phone. I'll switch phones, but I'm really annoyed. Are many companies doing this?
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I am the manager of the business office, and for some reason, there has been a rash of accidents lately. This is not a dangerous place, but people are tripping, spilling things, and cutting themselves far too often. What do you suggest?
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I work for a large company in the customer relations department, and I receive many complaints from angry customers. Some of the callers become extremely irate and resort to verbal abuse and profanity. Our company policy is to continue the call even if it becomes a personal threat. Failure to adhere to this policy can result in disciplinary action, including termination. What do you suggest?
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My girlfriend has been working at a family-owned company for over fifteen years, and one of the younger family members cusses and yells, and his verbal abuse has brought my girlfriend to tears countless times. She is scared of him, but management does little but talk. Her retirement is around the corner, but I think she should report this to a labor relations official. What can you tell us?
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I just terminated an employee and she became very upset and hostile. She screamed at me, insulted me, and was out of control. I told her to calm down, but that only incensed her further. I am shaken by what happened here, and I wonder what to do if this happens again.
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I work with several other employees in the warehouse. By the end of the day, some of us have achy muscles. My question is what to do about a co-worker who says he knows all about acupressure and can soothe our muscles. He comes up behind us and squeezes our shoulders and backs. Some of the employees like it, but I do not and I have told him not to do this to me any more. He still tries once in a while.
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I am going to be terminating an employee whose performance is below par. He has a very bad temper, and I am slightly concerned that he could have one of his outbursts when I fire him. What is the best way to do this?
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How do you deal with an employee who does very good work but whose office is a complete mess? There are papers piled all over the floor, chairs, table, and desk. I think she sets a bad example for her employees, and it's embarrassing when visitors see her office. Is there a way to improve this without interfering with her work?
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I just joined this company and learned that I have to wear a badge with my photo on it. This is not a hospital or a top-secret organization, and I resent having to walk around with this thing hanging from my pocket. I'm in management, and I think this badge makes me look like a gopher. I tried not wearing it, and my manager was not pleased. Is there a way around this?
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After one of my fellow employees quit, my manager dumped practically his entire job on me. He said I should be glad to get these extra responsibilities, and he used the term “job enrichment.” Now I have more routine work than ever, and my pay was not changed. I’m already falling behind. What do you suggest?
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