my job

I was inspired by this post, by the lovely Lola, to write about my own job.

I also work for a government department, which consists primarily of white male paramilitary activity.  I’d love to own up to the actual department, but it wouldn’t be advisable for my job health.  Anyhow, within this department, I officially resolve interpersonal issues.  Bullying, harassment, discrimination, victimisation, the whole bit.  In reality, most of my ‘clients’ come to me with interpersonal issues that don’t fall into any of these categories.  Typically, we’re talking personality clashes.

My role in all of this is to listen to both parties, try to resolve the issue/s informally through various means like mediation, etc, and if necessary, conduct formal investigations.  In order to actually get any resolution, I need to be able to correctly read highly stressed situations, and be able to respond in a way that will help achieve resolution.  I need the patience of Job, the observation skills of Patrick Jane, and the counselling skills of a clin psych, together with the ability to represent the organisation in a good light, even when its actions could be considered blatantly negligent. 

As a result of the confidentiality of my role, my knowledge of the organisation, and my friendship with the company’s psychologist, I’m often put in delicate situations.  For example, in the last week, I’ve had to inform senior management that a middle manager isn’t just performing badly at work; she’s actually suicidal.  I also went to a straightforward meeting about a grievance between two coworkers, only to realise that the respondent (the person who the complaint is about) has a serious mental illness that needs to be addressed.  There are all kinds of issues at stake here, for the individuals and the organisation – occupational health and safety, duty of care, concerns over the individuals themselves, and what industrial ability we have in these situations.  All of this stuff needs to be analysed by me, then presented to senior managers, together with a solution that is practical and able to be implemented, while maintaining confidentiality.

The work is fulfilling, draining, and exhausting.  I love helping people resolve issues, and watching managers as  they learn how to resolve issues themselves (with some guidance from me).  The stresses involved, however, are huge.  For example, the suicidal manager’s boss is tiptoing around dealing with the issue, despite the severity.  The boss think’s he’s giving her some space.  I’ve explained that he needs to sit down with the manager and talk to her about her illness affecting her work, but he’s too scared to make a wrong move.  Dealing with management over sensitive issues like this requires a very delicate touch.  I’ve discovered senior managers don’t like being presented with situations they don’t know how to control.

Anyhow, that’s my job.  At least every day is different.