Jul 28, 2006

Highly Recommended (Not!)

Tags: Workplace Survival Strategies,

I'm usually a pretty honest guy—maybe too honest. However, I can recall one time that fudging a little led to the removal of an obnoxious co-worker that would have been impossible to get rid of otherwise.

First, let me explain that "Katherine" was a real piece of work. She would have support staff re-do work over and over simply to satisfy her whims. She openly bragged about having sex with many of her clients. She would burp and fart in front of others and then curse at anyone who would criticize her for it. Since she was a sales leader at a small-market radio station, she got away with most of it. Did I mention playing "dress-up" for the owner?

After leaving that hell-hole, I went to work in a nearby town where she was well-known for these and many other behaviors. One day I got a call from a sales manager who worked in a city where I had gotten my start in the business. He said he was considering offering Katherine a job, but needed references. I was tempted to really blast her, but then thought of how pleasant life would be without her in the area. Keep in mind that she was a source of trouble to ALL who met her-clients, co-workers, etc. I said she brought in a lot of sales (TRUE) and was full of energy and surprises (also TRUE if you made a stretch). I later found out she was hired and had moved there.

I kinda felt bad about this, knowing how she could be. That is until I met one of our old sales reps who said he had planted her name with the other radio station to begin with. "She was a giant ass-ache anyway" he quipped.

Maybe you've done the same. I know I regarded my "recommendation" as a public service...

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