The boss can be an intimidating figure at the best of times, after all that's their job to a certain extent. So it's understandable that the prospect of breaking bad news isn't a pleasant one. However you must consider which outcome you would prefer when faced with this kind of situation.

Sure, a bad reaction isn't great and can sometimes cause further upset but at least the matter will be confronted and resolved. Hoping for a positive reaction in these circumstances is nave to say the least. That being said if you do receive one PANIC!

This was something that I was faced with a few months ago. It wasn't a minor thing such as having a day off or not completing a task - I needed an operation and was faced with a long period of sickness. It wasn't a particularly valuable job, not even one that I really enjoyed but it was paying my bills nonetheless. As I waited to speak to him on that Thursday afternoon I was petrified.

On this occasion my worry wasn't justified, my boss was a compassionate man and completely understood. But since then the tables have completely turned, the very man that sat and reassured me that my position was safe, I had the full backing of the company and shouldn't worry, has now severed my sick pay and left me with no means to pay my bills. Cruelly it seems that his generosity reached its limit in my sixth month of absence but I was never informed. It wasn't until a received a waif of a wage slip that I learnt of the situation.

Stupidly I have realised that this may have been the plan all along, after all I could of caused a scene if he had specified at the time that this would be the case so what better than to keep me sweet with empty promises and send me on my way. The positive reaction that had so reassured me in beginning had become the bain of my life. Looking back I can see my complete naivety for believing it in the first place.

The lesson that I was able to gain from this unfortunate situation is that it isn't breaking the bad news that causes the problems - its dealing with the after effects. At the end of the day, compassionate human being or not they have a job to do. Financial gain is their first priority, with staff relations being towards the end of the pile. If you ever are faced with breaking bad news and receive a positive reaction. It will often spell the start of bad things to come.

Learn more about this author, Stacie Dexter.
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