Workplace Complaints

Working in agriculture is a very important job that deals with people either directly or indirectly. Many agricultural jobs such as extension or education deals directly with people. Other jobs such as beef producers may be more indirectly related to people. Whether or not these jobs directly or indirectly with people people that have these jobs must be able to correctly handle workplace complaints. This picture from
Cartoon Stock makes fun of the fact that people will complain about anything.

Many people in the agriculture industry have problems handling issues because they are unsure how to handle complaints. According to Management Issues managers will face the problem of people asking them to fix problems that they may not be able to fix. Management issues gives several suggestions on how to deal with complaints. First you should be aware of privacy and confidentiality for both you and the person with the complaint. Secondly you should set boundaries, if the person passes those boundaries then you should refer them to another person who could help them.  Another source that gives good advice on how to handle conflict is The Art of Leadership. This book gives several bullet points which include keep calm, listen patiently without interrupting, accept their point of view, ask questions, fully discuss solutions, reach closure, and follow through.

By following these rules, agriculture manager can  address complaints and follow through to find a solution to the issue. With courses in leadership and classes on how to properly deal with conflict managers can make the work place a better environment. Workers that are happy and without conflict are more productive and easier to manage. 

Values of the Workplace

Being a leader in today's society is especially difficult in the workplace. Working with people who have the same values makes being a leader easy but if you work with others that have different values it makes things difficult. I work in Newman Library with ten other students. Many days there is only one supervisor for all ten students with the students out numbering the supervisor it is hard for the supervisor to watch all ten people at once. Occasionally other students will sit down and eat lunch while still clocked in or they will take breaks when they are supposed to be completing a project. Growing up my parents raised me to always do a good job and respect your boss. Taking time to eat while still clocked in does not seem respectful to me yet others I work with see no problem.  

Working with others different values can be difficult. To learn to better understand others with different values we must first figure out what values are most important in the workplace. The Art of Leadership lists the five values that are mentioned the most often in an American workplace. Honesty, respect, service, excellence, and integrity are listed as the five most important values. If people are taking breaks when they are not supposed to then they are not being honest with their bosses nor are they respecting the company. While this may not bother some people it will make others uncomfortable and leave them in a position where they do not see eye to eye with their neighbors. The list below by Leading Answers was used as a research project for the book The Leadership Challenge. 

Learning to work with people who have different values may seem difficult but in article called "Generational Diversity in the Workplace", by Jamie Notter, it mentions that different generations have a different set of values. For example someone born in 1940 by think the most important values are dedication and sacrifice. While someone born in 1980 may think the most important values are diversity and thinking globally are the two most important values. Knowing this I feel that to work well with other who have different values it is important to remember their values while not the same as yours may not be wrong. Remember that everyone has a different set of values it is easier to work with others.