Everyone is angry and nothing gets solved, we all leave looking like this (on these days) :
After our study this week I can think of two things to help solve this issue. I think one would be to find a compromise.
For example maybe have each person pick a day to stay late. Or have our boss ask for volunteers to stay late instead of assuming anyone can. Also maybe the staff can look at it with a new perspective, it isn't all my bosses fault, she can not just hire someone with no money in the budget. If we all give a little understanding to each others situations it will go a long way.
Another way to help solve this situation is by coming up with out of the box solutions aka a boarder list of solutions. No we can not hire someone new, but maybe we can rework hours, or help out those who have after-work plans, etc. That way everyone can leave like this instead:
So blog readers and colleges, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions to help solve this issue?
Hi Hailey,
ReplyDeleteI have also discussed work conflicts on my blog post this week and you are right! They are tough. The scenario that you have described here is very similar to one that is happening in one of the smaller centers that is under the umbrella of our center. My one friend that works there is a very positive person yet she seems to be more worn down as time goes on when she feels taken advantage of. Our larger center also has similar communication problems with the administration and we are getting ready to have an infant staff meeting at the end of next week. I have just what you have talked about here -- a bit of anxiety about that fine line with describing what is happening and how we feel about it honestly but not wanting to risk my job.
I love your graphics that support your post! You have also done a wonderful job of brainstorming with ideas. It sounds as if you might want to suggest some sort of gathering of the minds to secure one of those plans or come up with another one. I would persist with your director that it is something you want to discuss and come up with a solution for.
One thing that you do not mention here specifically is your hours. Do you all stagger your work hours? That is how our center does it. Though we are open 365 days a year from 6a - midnight. We are a part of a teaching hospital campus!
All of our hours are layered -- We have three teachers who start at 6am, several who come in around 6:45 and 7:00 and then staggered every 15 minutes out for all of the full time teachers. If you are a full time teacher you might work 6 - 3 or you might work 9 - 6. It still involves a lot of shuffling, but that does seem to accomodate for the children as they leave at different times.
Cindy
I also thought about maybe staggering the hours so that you do not have to work late each night. I think that this is imperative to creating a positive working atmosphere. I know that when I was teaching we had an after school program and parents that often lacked transportation. It was so frustrating to me. The program would be over at 4 and I would still be there until 6 waiting on parents. It is so important to have an open and honest communication forum. I told the administrator that I did not want to continue with the program because I was pregnant. When the parents asked why I told them that I have committments that need to be met and I could not be late every night. Honesty is important and it might help if you talk openly about your frustrations. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI think your solutions are very good ideas. While keeping in mind what conflict resolution is (i.e. an alternative dispute resolution) (acrnet.org), the best course of action in this situation would be to first focus on ways to contain this conflict before it becomes worse/more heated than it needs to be (thirdside.com). In this situation conflict seems to be inevitable but the conflict needs to be kept to a minimum. It is so important to get everyone on the same page and diffuse the situation (easier said than done I know). It is definately essential to find a middle ground so both sides are satisfied with the decision. Good luck to you. These situations are never fun and very hard with all the personalities involved.
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Association for conflict resolution: Giving voice to the choices for quality conflict resolution. (n.d.). Association for Conflict Resolution. Retrieved June 1, 2012, from http://www.acrnet.org/
Hailey,
ReplyDeleteWhat is the cause for staying late? Are parents late picking up their children? Is there a policy for late pick-ups? When I ran my center I enforced a late fee that increased every 5 minutes when parents were late. When parents were late I had to pay staff to stay late. If staying late is a pattern, perhaps your schedule and other staff schedules need readjusted to cover the actual time the center is open. If staff knows they work till 6 after work schedules and plans can be adjusted accordingly. The center director and/or owner know the greatest asset to the center is the staff. Happy staff increases productivity resulting in happy children! Happy children positively effects enrollment. Plus staff turn-over is not a good reflection on the center. It may be in your best interest to ascertain why staff needs to stay late and why this issue is not being addressed by the director. Everything we are learning comes into play.
Joey
Hailey, I feel you on this conflict. I do feel that the Diector whould be responsible for hiring the correct amount of staff for many reasons. Staff burn-out is prevalent in this field and children's care is effected by being overworked. I agree with your overview in ways to correct the conflict, when trials comes the team must pull together to make it work. Keep the faith and positive attitude. Yours for Children; Deborah
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