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Subject:Re: Is this too Offensive for a manual? From:Andrew Plato <gilliankitty -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 19 Nov 2003 20:36:45 -0800 (PST)
1. It is impossible to NOT offend somebody. Some people are just obsessed with
being offended and will get offended at anything they can.
2. If the statements are true and appropriate for the audience, then leave them
in. There is nothing wrong with slang or blunt statements if it is appropriate
for the audience.
3. The statement "reward performance, punish incompetence" isn't a particularly
foreign or offensive concept to a manager. It sounds offensive because its
draconian. And by and large, people, especially here on TECHWR-L, fear such
draconian measures. If you're one of the worker bees it underscores the fact
that if you screw up, you'll be punished. However, this kind of draconian view
of employees is sometimes necessary, especially in unskilled or lightly skilled
jobs (like reading meters). There must be simple expectations. Those that fill
them, are rewarded, those that don't are punished.
That much said - are you instructing them on management concepts or how to use
software? You know the answer to this.
Make a decision, go with it. Move along.
Andrew Plato
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