https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 02:49:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946648 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:27:27 +0000 Mrsbells 946648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doesnt sound fair to me at all </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946632 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:22:04 +0000 IRunForFun 946632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@corilyns: Hahahaha. I never thought of it that way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946622 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:17:35 +0000 Reese 946622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: what the what?? That is insane that your boss didn't see through his BS. His work ethic will catch up to him... I dont think it would be ridiculous for you to mention that you would have LOVED an office </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946612 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:13:59 +0000 MrsMed 946612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: Is getting your own office, away from your colleagues and being singled out as the slacker, terrible-journo with a possible learning disability, a reward? I'd feel like a huge loser being singled-out in the newsroom. It's like being in grade school and getting put in the corner to finish your work. Maybe I'm the only one this happened to. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946532 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 14:51:24 +0000 IRunForFun 946532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: Nope, no annual reviews. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946496 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 14:36:21 +0000 lemondrop 946496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm wondering if they are making the accommodation in order to keep a closer eye on him and see if his production changes. He certainly does not have an excuse now. </p> <p>As unfair as it sounds, it isn't your issue since it doesn't really affect your job duties. Do you have annual reviews for your boss? That would be a good time to mention how unfair the situation is, or if she starts complaining about the employee, I'd ask, "what's up with that." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946414 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 14:14:07 +0000 IRunForFun 946414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks to everyone who responded! I appreciate the different perspectives.</p> <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: Those were my thoughts, really. I mean that's what a newsroom IS! It's chaotic by nature, and that's half the fun! Plus, he used to work at a daily, so you would think he'd be used to it.</p> <p>@corilyns: I think my editor has some of the same perspective that you do. If someone really wants to do this as a career, she wants to be more of a teacher and a guiding hand, so she hates to just fire someone right off the bat. </p> <p>I guess maybe my point isn't that he should immediately be fired (though honestly if I was boss I would have fired him long ago) but that if he is going to be "rewarded", we hard-working and productive people should ALSO be rewarded, and not taken for granted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946352 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 14:02:24 +0000 MrsMed 946352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: All newsrooms ( in my experience are like this. I'm currently a journo at a large city daily, but I'm in the minority here. I'm actually happy to see a boss actually try a new approach to dealing with an employee who needs help and direction rather than just firing them. If he remains unproductive and distracted he should get the BIG BOOT. But it also seems like they are building a case to fire this dude, by trying to address his shortcomings and giving him enough rope to hang himself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946328 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:59:03 +0000 HabesBabe 946328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't believe they didn't fire him the first time around (when he was PT, and they made him FT instead)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946322 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:58:24 +0000 pui 946322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, personally I don't think your editor handled this well at all. Not only did she basically reward him for his shoddy work, but she simultaneously made you and anyone else who works there feel like their hard work is ignored which isn't going to make you guys produce better. She should have just told him to suck it up and produce more or find another job.</p> <p>Since you guys are actually pretty close, maybe you could say something as nice and diplomatic as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946291 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:50:40 +0000 dagret 946291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: that's what I was going to post...aren't all newsrooms like that? </p> <p>@IRunForFun: maybe he has some kind of documented learning disability that they have to legally make accommodations for? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946289 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:50:10 +0000 MsLipGloss 946289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: I agree . . . the boss fell for that crap? Laaaame. </p> <p>@IRunForFun: The last thing I would ever recommend would be arguing to an employer about what is fair versus not fair. I would also say, to be objective, that you may only hear about the negative aspects of this employee (if your boss uses you as a sounding board), and not all of the positive (giving him the maximum benefit of the doubt here!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946281 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:47:18 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 946281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sweet Jesus. As a former print journo at a large metro paper, the thought of anyone worth their salt complaining that they can't work because a newsroom is too distracting should turn in their press card. It's part of the job, plain and simple. I also can't believe that your boss fell for that line. I hope this is a last-ditch effort to give the guy what he "needs" to succeed (but again, I think he should find another career path). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946257 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:40:34 +0000 cmomma17 946257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: is 70 too old to be a cougar? ;) Yeah, I'd just work it into the conversation like I suggested. Don't do the venting/complaining about him directly. Just wait for her to inevitably do it and then ask her if she thinks the way he has been rewarded/specially treated has contributed to it. I can't believe it's been going on for 14 months! Geeez. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946256 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:39:45 +0000 sweetkeight 946256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's totally not fair. And it sucks. And T sounds like a jerk.</p> <p>The only thing I can offer is a hope -<br /> I worked as a manager for a state agency. We hired someone who wasn't productive at all. He wasn't my direct report, but I had to deal with him. After 8 months of low performance, he got dumped on my team with the demand that I 'handle him'. The previous supervisor had not filed any employee warnings on this clown, so I had to follow up with HR on the process of how to let him go. HR informed that in order to let him go, I had to give him two written warnings, with "reasonable accommodations" to requests he made, a time limit, and written documentation so we could give him fighting chance of improvement. Otherwise, we would be open to liability. So, I had to wait it out another 6 months with this guy, issuing the two warnings, a 3 month time limit, and a 'reasonable accommodation' that he get to work from home one day per week. It sickened me, but I couldn't explain it to my team, due to HR policies. At 6 months, I fired the guy (Hallelujah!) and because of his one-day-at-home accommodation, I was able to use that as a platform to give my team the same consideration. I wonder if your editor is working with this guy and biding time... while gaining an office space in the process?</p> <p>Either way, it sucks, and if you do say something to the Editor, I'd make it about how you need to feel appreciated (rather than T getting the office) Then, you don't look whiny, you're just stating what you need in order to be productive, too ;-)</p> <p>Hope any of that helps... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946247 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:37:45 +0000 IRunForFun 946247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: Hahaha no he's not cute. Plus he's 30 and she's pushing 70 so I highly doubt it!</p> <p>@sloaneandpuffy: Maybe...but I doubt it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946240 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:35:26 +0000 IRunForFun 946240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babynumber1: LOL, definitely not sleeping together! </p> <p>@cmomma17: I like your second suggestion, it might be a good time to segue into the topic if she's venting about him. Waiting to see how long he lasts...well I wouldn't hold my breath. This has been going on for 14 months now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946237 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:34:19 +0000 oscarthegoon 946237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think i would have to say something. i would not be able to help myself. he is being rewarded for being a bad employee! total BS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946236 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:33:54 +0000 Ash 946236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't say anything at all. I'd see if it helps T's production... and if it doesn't and he gets the boot, ask for the office (bahaha!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946235 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:33:48 +0000 mamimami 946235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds totally unfair BUT maybe there's something you don't know? Maybe he has or claimed to have some kind of disability or other problem (emotional, mental, physical) he needs accommodated? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946233 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:33:13 +0000 cmomma17 946233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babynumber1: oooh good point! Is T really cute? lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946229 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:32:26 +0000 cmomma17 946229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow. That doesn't seem fair at all. He's a crappy worker and is being constantly rewarded for it!<br /> I'm not sure if I would say anything, or just wait it out a little longer to see how long T lasts? I would hope he'd eventually get fired, since he's not doing much work!<br /> I dabbled briefly in journalism myself and I know it doesn't take 30 hours to write an obit ....</p> <p>Maybe just wait for the next time your boss vents to your privately and say something along the lines of "do you think increasing him to full time and giving him a private office has reinforced his bad behavior/lack of work?" and see what she says .... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946222 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:30:58 +0000 babynumber1 946222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thats craziness! LOL. I seriously can't believe that they didn't see right through his BS excuses. </p> <p>Or.. he is sleeping with the boss. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-fair-would-you-say-something#post-946203 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:25:23 +0000 IRunForFun 946203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work as a reporter at a small, weekly newspaper. I've been at this job for 4.5 years and in that time have built a close relationship with my editor and feel I'm respected by my boss/the publisher. They trust me enough that I am occasionally allowed to work from home and the hours are pretty flexible, which is nice.</p> <p>A little over a year ago, one reporter left and a new reporter, we will call him T, was hired. He was hired part-time initially because they thought the area he was covering might be doable in less than 40 hours per week, and they were looking to save money. Well, he was barely producing any copy in 30 hours per week, and they attributed that to the fact that, since he was part-time, he might not be as committed to the job. They decided to make him full-time.</p> <p>Still, he was hardly producing any copy. The standard is supposed to be 4 full-length stories per week, plus obituaries and shorts. He was producing maybe 1 story per week, or if he had to do an obituary, no stories. He also started calling almost daily and saying he would "work from home" but he never actually did any work. He'd even say he'd submit a story by a certain time, and then not do it. </p> <p>My editor spoke to him about this several times, and repeatedly asked him if there was a reason he did not want to come in to the office to work. Eventually, he told her that he found that he was too distracted by the open office concept - we don't have cubicles, we all have desks against various walls in one open room with the editor in the middle. T said he couldn't concentrate or produce work with people talking around him and walking around, etc. (Except he wasn't producing work when he was at home, either, so...)</p> <p>Anyway, the office had an old darkroom from when the paper developed film, and over the weekend my editor and publisher cleaned it all out, repainted, bought an AC unit for it, and turned it into a private office. T was granted this office, with a window and a door and all, when he got into work on Monday.</p> <p>WHAAA!?!? </p> <p>I love my editor, but I'm kind of pissed! Her solution to him not being a productive employee is to reward him with his own office? None of the other writers, three of whom have been here much longer than he has, and who have never had issues with productivity, were never even consulted about whether THEY might like an office. </p> <p>I don't get it! I would LOVE my own office. So is my lesson that I should have been a crap employee who complained a lot in order to get what I wanted? </p> <p>I'm debating saying something to my editor but I don't want to offend her. At the same time, like I said, we have a close relationship (she's going to be doing a reading at my wedding!), and she often confides in me. She's talked to me plenty of times about T and the issues with him (I usually feel like it's none of my business and just listen and nod.) </p> <p>Maybe I'll just mention that it would be nice if we could rotate use of the private office annually or something, and throw in that I'm sure we would all love to have that option available to us? Or should I be more direct? Or not say anything at all? </p>