Get advice on how to deal with jerks at work Check out the book 'Jerks At Work' and other titles by Ken Lloyd Ph.D. Return to the JerksAtWork.com homepage Learn more about Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. Submit a question to Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.
 

You asked, Ken answers ...

This item is filed under these categories:
Stereotyping Decision Making

I recently hired a store manager, and I just learned that she rides a motorcycle to work. I don't think this is the right image for our company, and I am concerned about the example she may be setting for the rest of the staff. When she came to the interview, she arrived in a car, and this issue never came up. How do I approach it now?



As it is, you are approaching this employee in the slow lane, and the best advice is to take the next off ramp. If this employee is getting to work on time and in condition to fully execute all of her responsibilities, whether she arrives on roller blades, a pogo stick, or a llama is not your concern.

If there are specific work-related problems that are somehow being caused by her mode of transportation, you should discuss such matters with her. However, even if she looks like she stepped out of a wind tunnel, which she probably does not, there is no reason to assume that this appearance would be detrimental to her performance.

It sounds like her motorcycling has driven into some of your biases and stereotypes, not only regarding motorcycles, but regarding females as well. The fact is that her mode of transportation could just as easily be telling you that she is independent, enjoys the outdoors, cares about conserving energy, and is not one to complain about the lack of parking for employees.

Although you expressed concern about the corporate image and the example being set, it is possible that this manager's "approach" to work may do wonders in both of these areas.



Comment on this item

Your name (optional)
If you leave this blank, we'll list you as "Website visitor"


Your comments
Please keep your comments focused on the topic. Thanks!

Reader comments

Posted by Gabriela Melano, Ed.D. on 2009-05-24 16:06:36
Just discovered your website and have read a very few of your answers. I have found all of those "right on target"-- thank you! This one, in addition, was outright funny! So appropriate! Nothing more practical than a good sense of humor in many of these situations, right? I will book mark this website which, I confess, I first thought it was a joke! In gratitude, Gabriela Melano, Ed.D.