Chapter 10: Workplace Communication

The third Saturday in March 2018 was cold when I met with Sarah, James, and Henri at their apartment in Oakland. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "Would you like a snack?" James offered. "Sure," I replied. "What all do you have?" "Well, we've got apple slices, carrot sticks, celery sticks, and Wheat Thins crackers," James replied. "I'll have apple slices," I replied. "I'll have Wheat Thins crackers," Henri replied. "I'll have carrot sticks," Sarah replied. "So, I will have the celery sticks," James concluded. "Here is some feta-mint dip to go with the snacks," I offered. "How was work for all of you guys this week?" I asked. "Is the Woodland Hills Organization in Wexford doing you well?" "Work is fine for us, Angel," James replied. "Do you like your job at Goodwill in Lawrenceville?" Sarah asked. "Robert and I came the other day, and it looked like you were having fun." "Do you guys feel comfortable in your ability to communicate successfully at work?" I asked my friends. "Why or why not? I can tell you that I kind of do, but knowing what is appropriate for me is sometimes a challenge." "I definitely feel confident because I have been working with Woodland Hills for a while and I know the people I work with, and I also feel empowered," James replied. "I also feel confident because I have a general feeling the people I work with understand my struggles and we are going through the same thing," Henri replied, "with shared goals and views, as well as the environment." "I certainly feel confident because the more people I met and worked for helped me," Sarah replied. "Now, do you feel confident advocating for your needs at work, and what factors influence this?" I asked my friends. "No, because I have a hard time knowing my limits and there is a grey area where I am stressed but I can still do things," Henri replied. "I can advocate because nobody else will look out for my best interest and I want to keep my job," I told everyone. "I can advocate because I have been at Woodland Hills for a while and they have proven that they will do anything to help," James added. "I can advocate because it helps everyone and helps me use my skills to the fullest," Sarah replied. "Now, the steps of communication that we already discussed to join conversations are still relevant at work," I told everyone. "That's right, Angel," James agreed. "Like how I had to help you on your birthday while Sarah and Henri were planning a surprise party for you." "You want to know something weird, James?" I asked. "We were talking about communication in the workplace a year ago today, and it was the exact same weather for 2 years in a row now as when you drove me around Natrona Heights- cold and snowy!" "You're right, Angel," James agreed. "You have such a good memory." "So, you thought about my feelings as well as your own about not having anything to do, established a physical presence with me by making me happy, thought with my eyes that you needed help, and used my words to relate to your special day," I concluded. "Very good, Angel," James praised. "Now, let's talk about formal versus informal at work," I continued. "When is workplace communication formal and why?" "When you're expected to do a task, when you're generally talking to your boss, or in a meeting at the office," Sarah replied. "When is workplace communication informal and why?" I asked. "In the lunchroom or in a meeting outside of the office, depending on other factors like the setting, the language people are using, or what other people are dressed like," James replied. "What are some tips for outside of work functions?" I asked everyone. "You should stick to more formal topics, not talk about work the whole time, and not talk about other co-workers or your boss," Henri replied. "Dress is probably casual unless otherwise specified or depending on where you are going or what you are doing," Sarah added. "You should also bring money to pay for your meal or the event," James added. "Occasionally, your boss will pay the tab, but do not assume. Also, express gratitude if they do, and offer to leave the tip." "Is it okay to not go, Sarah?" I asked Sarah. "Yes," Sarah replied. "Are there times that are important to go, James?" I asked James. "Yes, with somebody that's close to you, and also things like fundraising events," James replied. "What might people think if you never go, Henri?" I asked Henri. "Maybe no impact, you are antisocial, it could influence the way your peers and boss look at you, peers could think you don't like them, or aren't invested," Henri replied. "Now, how is written communication, such as e-mail, different than in person communication on the job?" I asked everyone. "You can't take it back and don't have visual feedback on how the person reacts to the e-mail," Sarah replied. "Poor grammar could and does influence the way that people see you," James added. "There are also limits to how you can express yourself through e-mail," Henri chimed in. "Some tips that I would use for writing e-mails at work include to be specific, short, and clear during the subject's line in e-mails, how to address e-mails, like when to use Mr., Mrs., or Ms., the person's first name, or 'To Whom This May Concern', how to end e-mails with Sincerely, Best, or Warmly, whether to use formal or informal language in e-mails, and whether to always use them," I informed everyone. "You use To if you're just sending to one person, CC if you're sending to more than one person and it isn't important to keep the receipts private, or BCC if you're sending to more than one person and you want to keep the receipts private," Sarah added. "For replying, you hit Reply, which just sends the e-mail back to the person who just e-mailed you, or Reply All, which sends the e-mail to everyone also listed on the original e-mail," James added. "Henri, when would you need to advocate at work?" I asked Henri. "Before accepting a job, and also when you recognize that you need something from your boss," Henri replied. "Sarah, how should you do this: in the middle of a meeting, around other co-workers, or when you're frustrated?" I asked Sarah. "I advocate in private, or with an aide, or human resources, or my immediate supervisor, and when I am not frustrated," Sarah replied. "I remember advocating to my boss during my practices for my graduation ceremony when I had a new job at the time helping to pay for my tuition to Carnegie Mellon University," James remembered. "Using the practices of being assertive, how did you tell your boss about the concerns you have?" "My empathy statement was 'I understand that the YMCA needs more help, but I feel that my graduation is a special event, which is more important, because this will be my only graduation ceremony I will experience, I would like you to give me an extra night off because I am sure that you understand that graduation comes first." "That was a very good statement, James," I remarked. "Work is important, but your graduation ceremony was sentimental, James, and Angel and I were very happy to see you in the audience," Sarah remembered. "Too bad I was too young to attend at the time," Henri stated. "It seems like only yesterday I was turning 18 years old and graduating from Freeport Area High School," James remembered, "and now I am three months away from being 30 years old!" "Before you know it, you'll be old and grey, James," Henri remarked. "Don't remind me, Henri," James remarked. "Are we still on for bowling at Zone 28 with Emily and her younger siblings next Saturday afternoon?" I asked my friends. "Absolutely," Sarah remarked. "I will also remind Carly and her parents when I see them at Monroeville Mall tomorrow," I stated. Pretty soon, it was time for me to leave. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah praised. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"