Flew solo as a Shop Steward yesterday
A Senior Steward, whom we'll call Jack, stopped by and talked to me. Asked if I'd gotten a call. A woman in HR, whom we'll call Jane, had an employee, whom we'll call Susan, who was very distraught and asking for a Steward. I would have been extremely nervous and unsure walking into an investigation or a hearing by myself, but it was just me and a distraught worker so I thought I could handle it.
Been trying to go on "Ride Alongs" with other Stewards whenever I can so that I can watch, listen, and learn from them. I'm an IT guy, and IT is largely sociological issues, not technological issues. But walking into an unknown situation with an unknown person and trying to be their advocate is more than a little overwhelming. It's downright scary to be honest. However, I know it's valuable and needed, which is why I chose to become a Steward. As such, I'm going to give it my maximum effort.
Called Jane in HR, and came up to talk with Susan. Susan was waiting for me just outside of HR in tears. We found an empty conference room and talked.
I may have been too Joe Friday-ish with Susan, but I wanted to try to stay emotionally detached from the situation because what she was saying resonated with me personally from a recent, similar, negative experience I went through at work.
Susan broke down in tears again while we talked, and I reassured her that I was her advocate. It's really tough to stay detached when someone is obviously hurting.
I followed up with Jack, who has been mentoring me. Had me follow up with HR to see what information I could gather and possibly corroborate.
At this point, we don't know if:
A) Susan is having a communication breakdown with her supervisor, whom we'll call Karen
B) Karen is a disrespectful, unprofessional bully
C) A combination thereof
D) Something else
Susan had a follow up meeting today with Jane in HR and her one up supervisor, whom we'll call David. Jack and I were also present. I was reassured by what David said. There remain lots of possibilities and what ifs about the real issue.
Jack and I followed up with Susan after the meeting. Jack is going to have me solo with Susan and Karen for any follow up meetings. I know that I have to just wade into these situations in order to become a good advocate, and that is both exciting and daunting.
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