TOKYO ? This past week, fresh-faced newcomers started working at companies throughout Japan. According to two articles in Nikkan Gendai (April 3 and 4), managers and supervisors need to understand that there are certain things that must absolutely be avoided to prevent new staff from starting off on the wrong foot.
One thing not to do right from the get-go is to entrust newcomers with answering the telephone without proper orientation and supervision. Sales companies, if they know their stuff, subscribe to the “10-second principle,” by which a phone must be answered after no more than three rings. To make a caller wait longer risks incurring their impatience.
I ? Word Understanding
starting off on the wrong foot ? to begin something incorrectly
incurring ? to have or experience (something bad or unwanted)
II ? Have Your Say
1. Some bosses introduce their new subordinates to a life insurance salesperson.
2. “Do shitara ii desu ka?” (What should I do?) is answered by “Jibun de kangaero!” (Think on your own)
3. According to a survey, the top 3 causes of annoyance at work are:
? Newbies not answering the phone
? Unexplained absence
? Overextended break
4. How do you deal with common workplace issues?
? Gossip
? Favoritism
? Harrassment
232 Mistakes managers need to avoid when dealing with newly hired employees
