304 Discussion Post

304 Discussion Post

I need to have empathy towards a co-worker that works in the same company. The outlet manager appointed me as the supervisor a few weeks ago. At first, everything went on smoothly, and I did not have any complaints or conflicts with my colleagues. Recently, I realized one employee started coming late, was untidy most of the time, and his mind wandered elsewhere during work hours.

The first day it happened. I just forgave him and allowed him to go to work since I thought it was a onetime thing. The recent increase has caused me to get angry. I do not give him time to explain his reasons for lateness. Ultimately, I ended giving him a two-week suspension from work. A few days ago, I learned that the fellow employee lost both his wife and child in a car accident that left his youngest child admitted n hospital..

When I heard the news, I realized that I had to be empathetic towards my co-workers to foster better communication and cooperation. I decided to show more empathy towards the employee since Gentry, Weber, & Sadri (2007), suggest that empathy can be learned. First, I would go and visit him at his home and offer emotional support. I would employ the use of self-help books to learn while dealing with the process. I would also talk to other employees to persuade them to contribute a token towards paying off the hospital bill of his child. The amount donated does not have to be much, as Barcia (2015) suggests, but at least it shows that we care. The steps would help in creating a warm relationship with the employee and ease the situation.

References

Barcia, L. (2015, November 30). 4 great development advocacy campaigns. Devex. https://www.devex.com/news/4-great-development-advocacy-campaigns-87380

Gentry, W. A., Weber, T. J., & Sadri, G. (2007). Empathy in the workplace: A tool for effective leadership. A Center for Creative Leadership White Paper. Retrieved from http://www. ccl. org/leadership/pdf/research/EmpathyInTheWorkplace. pdf.