Worker lucky to have job after outburst at downsizing meeting
(this article was first published in the LifeStyles section of the April 13, 2009 edition of the Lowell Sun. If you're interested in viewing other articles, click here.)

Stress Unit
By MICHAEL HAYDEN, Sun Correspondent
Lowell Sun

DEAR MIKE: I am writing because of an incident at my place of employment. I have worked at this company for more than 10 years and have always had what I consider a stellar reputation -- up until now, that is.

About a month ago, the owner called all the employees into a meeting to discuss the company's future, due to the slowing economy. One of the things on the agenda was downsizing. Given the fact that we had four people ready to retire in the near future, he felt it was a good time to look at the issue.

He proposed combining a couple of departments, eliminating the need for a few department heads. Mine was one of the departments to be consolidated. The owner informed me that an individual who had only been with the company for a couple of years was to become my immediate supervisor.

This did not set well with me at all. I became extremely upset and bolted out of my chair in an effort to leave the room. This new supervisor of mine put her hand on my shoulder in what she claims was an effort to calm me down. I automatically swung my arm back and in the process ended up hitting her in the face, causing her nose to bleed.

Well, I was immediately suspended for three days and after a hearing I was ordered to seek counseling and was put on job probation for the next six months.

I feel this incident was totally blown out of proportion and that I have been unduly punished. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do? -- Mary Ann

DEAR MARY ANN: I have to agree with you on one thing -- the incident was totally blown out of proportion. However, you are the one who blew it out of proportion by losing your temper.

You should consider yourself extremely lucky that the person whose nose you bloodied did not file assault and battery charges against you. I really think it is time for you to take a look at your anger response and use that mandatory counseling to get a handle on the way you react to things that bother you.

First of all, the owner of the company has all the right in the world to choose his department heads. While your seniority may be appreciated at the company, it does not give you the right to tell the owner how to run his business.

Reacting so emotionally is what made you do something you probably would not have done had you taken time to look at the big picture.

If I were you, I would consider myself lucky to still have a job. Go to the counseling and do something with it to improve your life. Good luck. -- Mike

Michael Hayden is a certified anger management counselor who runs Bay State Anger Management and Counseling in Chelmsford. Send questions to him at Stressunit@aol.com or send mail to: Stress Unit, c/o The Editor, Box 1477, Lowell, MA 01853.