It really bugs me when you...

Rob,

I know I could walk into your office right now and tell you everything that I�m about to tell you in this letter. But I�d rather put all my thoughts onto paper. So here goes.

I started working here two and a half years ago, and you came on board as my manager about a year and a half ago. Ever since then, things have been really pressing for me, and I think that I need to let you know about a couple of things that you may do that affect me in a negative way.

It really bugs me when you call the females on the team �sweetie� and �cutie�. It just makes us feel uncomfortable, especially since it is coming from our manager. I do understand that you don�t mean for it to come out in a condescending way, but it just does. We can�t really help what we feel.

It also bugs me that you expect so much out of us at a particular time, yet leave absolutely no room for error. Things take time in order to get them done correctly. Personally, I would rather be here late making sure everything is good, rather than rush through everything and get it done on time. I can understand if you expect it out of me, Jenn, Jess, Brendan, etc., but we also have Heather and Stacy who have started in the past couple months. It�s nearly impossible to expect them to get right up to speed with people who have been here over a year. And to be honest with you, it�s really not fair to them.

Also, going back to the �sweetie� and �cutie� comments, some of the sarcastic things that are said need not be said. I don�t think that you really understand the affect that it has on people. Like when Stacy was laughing and you said, �It sounds like someone just stepped on a seal.� She really didn�t appreciate that comment. It wasn�t the right thing to say, even if you wanted it to come out as a humorous thing. As a manager on the floor, those things really can�t be said, just like we, as specialists, cannot say things of that nature to supervisors/managers while on the floor. To me, it is a two way street. Lead by example, and we�ll follow.

These are just a few things that have come to mind. There are more thoughts that I have to add to this, but I think I�d rather tell you in person. I�m not saying these things to cause added problems between us. I�m just letting you know that it needs to stop. There�s only so much that one can handle, and honestly, I think that a lot of the team is at the end of their rope with the sarcastic comments, myself included.

I�ll be around if you want to talk. Just let me know.

Regards,

Kristen