Role A
You accidentally crashed into your boss’s(B) car this morning while parking in the empty lot beside his car in the office carpark. The reason is because you were tired and overworked and you were not paying attention while driving this morning. The damaged you caused is quite massive and expensive, and you do not have the cash to pay your boss at this moment. You also did not hit it off too well with the boss at the start when you joined the company 3 months ago, and you feel that he does not have a good impression of you.
How would you tell B about the crash? How would you offer to compensate him?
Role B
Your employee(A) tells you that he crashed into your car this morning. You do not particularly like him because you find him too insincere and disrespectful towards you. You think that he crashed into your car intentionally, especially since he mentioned that he has no money to pay you now. You expect an apology as well as some form of compensation.
Would you believe A’s explanation? How would you ask A to compensate you?
Hi Shu!
ReplyDeleteYou presented the scenario very clearly and it was very concise!
If I were A, I would make it a point after this incident to drown myself with coffee in the morning and make sure that I'm alert when I'm driving. I will definitely have to approach my boss and offer him/her a really good explanation. Since I'm aware that he dosen't have a very good impression of me, honesty and sincerity would be an ideal way to approach him. Start with an apology and honestly tell him that I was really tired and wasn't paying much attention while driving and that it wasn't intentional. I would show sincerity about wanting to pay him as I was entirely in the wrong and explain to him my current financial plight. I would then request if I could pay him back over a fixed period of time from monthly deductions from my paycheck to reduce the impact on my finances.
If I were B, I would be very annoyed, especially since I do not particularly like A.
If A showed true remorse and sincerity in compensating and if A was frank about his financial plight, I would most likely allow him to pay me back over a fixed period of time and not immediately. In this way, I can still maintain a good working relationship with him without letting A shirk from his responsibilities.
Cheers
Cassandra
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Shu Ting,
ReplyDeleteNicely written! Clear and consise.
If I were A, this would certainly be my worst day at work! On top of being relatively new to the job, my relationship with my boss was not very good to begin with, so this accident came at a very bad time. However, honesty is probably the only way to go since it is very unlikely that I can keep quiet because the crash marks on both are cars are painfully obvious. Based on the seriousness of the accident, I would approach him face to face, apologise sincerely and explain my case.
If I were B, I would definitely be angry. However, even though I did not have a good impression of A to begin with, as the boss I would have to set a good example and not let my emotions run unchecked. Furthermore, it is an accident in which both of us are victims, so I ought to be more understanding. As long as A is sincere in his apology, I would be able to forgive A and still maintain a professional working relationship with A.
Here’s some extra information: all cars are and must be covered by insurance, hence the compensation can be claimed from the insurance company. This means that A does not actually have to pay B a sum of money. That being said, while it is possible for A to still offer B a token sum of money as compensation for the inconveniece caused, I feel it would not be ethical for B to accept it, because as a boss, B should be above such petty things.
Regards,
Nicholas
Hi Shu Ting,
ReplyDeleteThis is a straightforward description about a conflict happen in the workpalce. I am interested in such stories.
If I were A, I would ask B to give me one day and tell him I will give him a satisfactory results, because I knew oral explanation and cash conpensation were not able to improve our relationship. After my duty, I would shoot a short movie that showed how a tired and overworked person crashed his boss's car accidentally and how he worry about this would bring troubles between them. Later, I would show this movie to B and ask if I can drive B's car out and will return with a repared car. I think the movie will clarify many misunderstanding and a repared car will make good impression to the boss. They are more effective than saying 'sorry' and paying money.
If I were B, I would believe him. The reason si that if A was intended to damage my car, he would not use his car as a 'weapon', since his car would be damaged too. I would forgive B and tell him 'it is not you fault; I will pay 50 percent of the total reparing expense'. B did not have to pay me now. We can wait for the report from the reparing factory.
Regards,
Chen Zhi