Skip to main content
rob magazine

Lady taking a selfie on the beach.Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dear Corporate Governess

A colleague took a personal day when we were working on a crucial project. Worse, he posted a selfie on our shared social messaging system. I'm having a hard time letting it go.

—Ashok, Calgary

Dear Ashok

I'm guessing what rankles most is his flaunting the photos on your public forum. Would you have felt any better if he posted a selfie in the dentist's chair? Or claimed he had to rush his mum's Pomeranian to the vet?

While I understand you want to write him off as a jerk—his timing shows poor judgment and a lack of consideration—hold off on the lecture. He sounds more thoughtless than anything else. Personal days are there to be used. He may have been feeling so burnt-out that he just had to take a day. We never really know what else is going on in another person's life.

I'd also guess this is probably a younger worker who, while admirably transparent, has much to learn about responsibility. Let him know you missed his contribution that day, but keep it light. And don't appoint yourself spokesperson for the rest of the team who may not have felt so steamed.

But it would have been nice if he'd arrived with apology cappuccinos the next morning, or at least acknowledged the team's effort.

If he's good at his job, and came back ready to work, he can get away with this one. But if it becomes a habit, then that could hurt his career. People will start leaving him off key assignments or overlook him for promotions. It's his call on what matters most to him.

***

Dear Corporate Governess

The holidays are barely over and I'm already getting calls from colleagues about summer jobs for their university-aged offspring. I can't hire them all—nor do I want to—but I have to work with these folks. How would you handle this?

—Jeff B., Toronto

Dear Jeff

It's not uncommon that the last names of summer interns match those in senior management. Fair or otherwise, when it comes to summer jobs, who you know is a big factor. That makes sense in a family-run business (since those kids may eventually run the place) or in companies such as Southwest Airlines in the U.S., where they make it a policy to hire family members.

But if that doesn't apply to your work environment, how about opening up your job pool to more applicants? Maybe even advertise? Then hire the best possible people instead of being forced to play favourites.

Make it clear to anyone who drops by with their child's resumé that everyone is welcome to apply. You might also suggest that kids who make the application on their own, including a cover letter, stand a better chance of being hired. You may get the occasional stink eye in the lunchroom, but you'll likely reap the best crop of students ever.

Report an error

Editorial code of conduct

Tickers mentioned in this story

Study and track financial data on any traded entity: click to open the full quote page. Data updated as of 18/03/24 7:00pm EDT.

SymbolName% changeLast
LUV-N
Southwest Airlines Company
-1.2%28.01

Interact with The Globe