Worker Confidentiality
We had just entered the wedding reception when a woman on the catering staff approached me with a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
"Help yourself to these cheese and crackers," she offered politely. Then she decided to vent. "The bride and groom have asked us to hold the buffet food. I hate it when they do that. Most don't, you know?"
(No, actually, I didn't know. But thanks for sharing). Instead of sharing my internal dialogue, I just give a slight nod.
"Most brides and grooms -- they just let their guests eat whenever. I don't know why they want us to make the guests wait."
At this point she drew a deep breath while she hung her head, closed her eyes, pursed her lips and shook her head. All of this in response to a couple picking up glass dishes in preparation to put food on their plate.
(The nerve of some people).
The woman from the catering staff picked up her monologue: "This just makes me so uncomfortable. Now I have to go over and tell those people to put their plates down. I hate this."
On what planet is it acceptable for a paid staff person to openly criticize the person who has hired her for the day? This couple was giving this woman - or the agency she worked for -- their hard-earned money. In return, she chose to speak ill of them to guests who were eating for free.
Let's broaden the scope. Your employer pays your daily, weekly or monthly wages. Is it okay to bad-mouth your employer to your clients? Is it okay to bad-mouth your boss to your coworker?
Here's a different twist. Your employer is paying you to do a job. He doesn't feel you are fulfilling your obligations. Is it okay for him to bad-mouth you to your coworkers?
In what situation is it acceptable to openly criticize your boss? Why? If your answer is never (which, for the record, is a very long time), please share why you feel that way.