Manda Rigby
Click here to read my biography
To: All @ Network the world
cc: mandymcbee@hotmail.com
From: Wylea Cooper, Acting Senior VP, HR
Re: Welcome to Mandy McBee
Rick…
I know you are very new to the company and I am as delighted as anyone that Patrick chose you above some of the more experienced and qualified candidates we had at our assessment and selection centre. I will therefore make allowances for your newness and not being up to speed with the Networkian culture. Obviously you have not fully read the staff manual or you would not have made the errors in your email. Copied to all for their information.
Please can you be more careful in the future when you are phrasing your communications. Whilst I understand your natural enthusiasm, I would be failing in my duty as a HR professional if I did not raise the following concerns.
Please be aware of any issues people may have around their personal space. Did you check with Mandy if she was OK with people making physical contact with her before you invited people to “slap her on the back”? Did you commission a risk assessment on this activity? I strongly suspect not. As part of our “treating people with human dignity” policy, the appropriate way to handle any potential congratulatory or greeting situation is very clearly laid out. I have extracted it from section 32 of the handbook, using Mandy as an example.
- You see Mandy in the corridor
- You approach her in a relaxed and confident manner maintaining eye contact and stop between 2 and 3 feet away from her (anyone who is any doubt about how far this is, outside my cubicle I have drawn a line in blue which is 3 feet long so you can judge the distance accurately)
- You ask Mandy if it is OK for you to make a personal comment. I suggest the wording “Mandy, is it OK for me to make a personal comment?”
- Assuming Mandy says no, then respond by smiling, acknowledging her right to make that decision and move away purposefully but without hurrying.
- Assuming Mandy says yes, then take a half step forward still maintaining a distance of a MINIMUM 1 foot, say “Welcome to the company, Mandy”
- Under no circumstances is prolonged grasping of the hands appropriate.
Mandy, it would be against my strong professional advice given 20 years in the industry, but if you feel you must accede to people’s request to “slap you on the back” please drop by the HR cubicle in the UK and pick up a cushioned protector for your nominated touching place as this is a Health and Safety requirement.