Workplace Relationships

When the Customer ISN’T Always Right

What to do when you’re faced with an angry customer or client

The phrase “The customer is always right” has been used as early as 1905. Quote Insider attributes the saying to the Chicago retailer Marshall Field, although it’s possible he heard it from someone else. The meaning of the phrase is that companies and their employees should treat complaints seriously to avoid customers feeling ignored or cheated.

However, for anyone who has worked in a customer or client facing job, or even just peeked at some of the angrier folks on social media, the customer is in fact NOT always right. Customers should be respected, but when their behavior starts to get out of hand, what can you do to deescalate the situation? (more…)

Managers: What to Look for When Hiring Your Next Employee Post COVID-19

As local economies slowly recover from the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, some business leaders are looking to start bringing jobs back to meet anticipated demands in their markets. Hiring managers have a large talent pool to choose from these days. But with so many qualified individuals, how can you make sure you choose the right employee? Poor hiring can cost an employer up to 150% of a workers’ salary, so before you decide to hire your next employee, it’s important to know what to look for in a perfect hire.

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The Good and Bad of Socializing with Co-workers Outside of Work

As employees across the country head back to work during the COVID-19 pandemic and restaurants and bars open up, so too does the opportunity to socialize with your co-workers outside of work hours. However, although socializing can be a great for your career, there can also be pitfalls if you aren’t careful. Here are the good and the bad that come with socializing outside of work.

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Dealing with a Difficult Boss

Some days are great, others less so

The world is full of a variety of bosses. These include great bosses who appreciate their employees and their time and controlling bosses that can sometimes be hard to work with.

Understandable that you’d want to keep working for a good boss and quit working for a difficult boss, right? But the world isn’t black and white. Some bosses are a mix of good and bad depending on the day. The good days can be great, and the bad can hard to work through.

Luckily, there are a few ways to deal with a difficult boss. Let’s dig in!

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Getting Around Negative Gossip at Work

You’re proud of the work you put in while on the job. But one day you walk by the breakroom and hear a co-worker say you frequently miss deadlines, come into work late, or steal their ideas for presentations.

Office gossip can be incredibly demoralizing, especially if you’re new on the job. Someone is spreading lies about you, but it’s their word against yours; is there really anything you can do about it? (more…)

It’s Okay to Quit Your Job—But You Need to Have a Plan

Nearly half (49%) of employees are unsatisfied with their jobs. It could be due to a bad boss, lack of work/life balance, or simply that they don’t enjoy the work they do.

If any of that sounds familiar, it might be time to quit your job. But that means the uncertainty of a new job, a change in pay, and plenty of other complications. A solid plan is one way to cut down on those concerns.

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Is Your Boss Empathetic?

And why does it matter?

Boss RelationshipsWe all have bad boss stories. Maybe you had a boss yell at you every day, never show up for work, or take credit for a project you completed solo. Or perhaps your manager just didn’t really care or acknowledge you at all.

All of those bosses are lacking one key trait—empathy.

In a recent study, Businessolver® found that 91% of CEOs “believe empathy is directly linked to a company’s financial performance, while 93% of employees say they’re more likely to stay with an empathetic employer.”

However, while 92% of CEOs think their organizations are empathetic, only 72% of employees agree.

To find out whether your boss is empathetic, look for the following qualities.

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