Lifestyle

Go to Greg

How do you handle employees who have been affected by the storm personally but seem to have forgotten they still have work responsibilities, too, without seeming callous?

Events such as these create a moment to define who you are as a leader, and make no mistake, employees will remember how companies and managers respond in these situations. Some employees are only slightly inconvenienced — maybe their commute is difficult or a tree took out their back porch. But some have lost their homes entirely. Balancing employee needs and business needs requires leadership, flexibility and understanding during these critical days. But there is no need to go it alone. I am sure your employer also has a support network internally with HR, crisis management teams, colleagues, etc. …as well as external partners who are part of the company’s work-life benefits plans. Make use of them.

After the storm, I offered to drive some colleagues in my area into work. Everyone in the car pool has volunteered to chip in for gas except one person. Should I say something or just let it go, to avoid embarrassing him and having hard feelings, since this is only going to last for another week or so?

I bet he eats his egg sandwich for breakfast in the car, too, and gets crumbs on your seat! I don’t think it has to be an embarrassing conversation — and I don’t think you should let it go, particularly if everyone else is volunteering to chip in and you are accepting their contributions. The right thing to do in such situations is so obvious that when someone fails to act appropriately, you should address it just for principle and not for the money! I would matter-of-factly state that you are collecting X amount from everyone for gas and just hold out your hand if you have to until he digs into his wallet. Alternatively, you can leave without him on the commute home — or keep pulling away just as he is about to reach for the door handle. But that would be childish… Funny …but childish.