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5 daunting questions my colleagues are afraid to ask (I’m an HR manager)
Starting a hard conversation with your boss/HR manager can sound uncomfortable at times. So I wanted to share the common questions I’ve received over the last 15 years because it shouldn’t be as awkward of a conversation as many of us make it out to be. I'd imagine, odds are pretty high that someone has the same question as you! So here are the most popular requests I've received throughout my career:
1) Can I work more flexible hours?
2) Can I take some time off?
3) Can I have a pay rise?
4) Can I have a promotion?
5) Can you help me with a task?
If you can relate to any of these topics, you’re not alone. And you have the right to ask these questions but also make sure you come with the WHY you're asking part of the equation. Ex: Why do you believe you deserve a raise? Come with the impacts you've made to backup your request! Because these are common questions that colleagues SHOULD be asking throughout there career. Can you relate? Do you have another question you're dreading to ask? Please share!
M Elizabeth Ingram
HR, administration, & benefits at work; mom of 2
734
07/06/20 at 12:57PM UTC
I think coming with a plan for what your request looks like is crucial to: what hours would you be working if flexible. When do you want to take time off. It's a lot easier to say yes as HR when the details are laid out clearly.
Crystal Rhinebergerprofessional rofl nevermind lets just wing it
2.29k
07/04/20 at 9:30PM UTC
I have felt guilty and undeserving anytime I have approached hr
Anonymous
07/03/20 at 4:23AM UTC
I work in healthcare. Healthcare, or more specifically, long-term care, is a very large, very expensive business. Money is the bottom line for the big corporations that run the types of facilities at which I work. Definitely not conducive to asking most of these questions. My supervisor absolutely knows that I am very passionate about my job, love taking care of the residents in my facility, but if I went in and asked for a raise, I have no doubt that I would be looking for a new job. No, it is not the typical “business world”. Many of my workdays are consumed with hounding “primary care physicians” to send in scripts for their patients, (“yes, she is almost out of whateverthemediscalled”, could you please call it in?”) and “it really is okay if you don’t have a bowel movement twice a day”. Some of my co-workers are educated, some, not so much, but the non-educated come to work every day and treat these elderly people like their own grandparents...love them, help them, spend their own money on them from their own ridiculously low salaries. None of us would do a different job.
Please forgive me, I just got home from a 16 hour day and I’m tired.
Nora Sist
87
07/02/20 at 10:05PM UTC
A healthy workplace culture empowers its staff to develop professionally and as individuals. It should not only be a creative and innovative space to explore and develop one’s talents but also a safe space to bring up difficult, awkward and sometimes necessary subject matters.
It also depends on the personality type. While some individuals find it easy to broach those sort of conversations with their managers, some may find it uncomfortable or even stressful.
Find (or even create) the opportunity to bring up this subject, e.g. at one-on-one conversations with a supervisor. Plan and practice by being specific about why and what you are asking for e.g if you’re asking for flexible hrs, what has changed in your (personal) circumstances? At the same time, assure your supervisor that your passion and commitment to your role and responsibilities will not change. If there’s an opening in a position, ask about that position with the appropriate manager and be bold to ask your supervisor for his/her support or recommendation. Write down points why you may be suited for that position and practice amplifying those points.
Planning is only half the process. Self-check: Ask yourself why that question is important to you. What will it mean to you if your question (or request) is fulfilled? If rejected, will you keep trying or find another strategy or move on?
Kara Yates, SHRM-CPHuman Resources Professional
42
07/02/20 at 1:02PM UTC
Another thought to consider is why they're hesitant to ask. Have their managers given them a reason to believe that they aren't able to ask for general accommodations? When people feel awkward or scared to ask, it's part of a larger systemic and culture issue at work. I am a firm believer in empowering your workforce to ask for what they need, and speaking up in the moment.
Rebecca Lee VOperations Analyst
2.22k
07/01/20 at 1:42PM UTC
you are 100% correct, employees have the right and should ask these questions but many don't. One of my first jobs out of college was with a small company and if you asked any of these you would be fired.
Patricia M. VelezEnergetic Marketing Professional in Fort Worth.
79
06/30/20 at 4:36PM UTC
Those questions can be a little nerve wrecking. But I agreed that if you have your answers well prepared you can get a positive answer from your boss.
I once asked my manager for help and he did help out, my coworker was surprised that I asked him for help. Shen even said to me to not do it again. People are afraid to ask for help or even a raise.
Aleyda DelaFuenteMaking things happen
167
06/30/20 at 4:31PM UTC
Thanks for sharing this. They are good questions, no one should be afraid to ask.
Prateek KaranProject Manager looking for remote opportunity
19
06/30/20 at 3:37PM UTC (Edited)
These are really good questions. Once in my life, I took some guts to ask my manager to up my skills by taking courses on my time so I can get a promotion. And I was bluntly told not possible and there is no way I will be fit for the promotion. A few months later I chose to leave the job as I was feeling not supported. I continue to ask these questions at work, it shows how invested employers are and how much value they give to their employees.
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