You noticed recently that Clare, the woman who works next to you at a call center, takes extended lunches and makes a lot of personal phone calls. As the result of her phone calls and breaks, you and your co-workers complete more work throughout the day. After discussing the situation with a close friend, you decide you are going to tell the boss about her behavior.

As your instructor directs,

a. Write an e-mail to your boss in which you discuss Clare’s behavior and ask for a resolution.

b. Partner with a classmate and role-play the situation of telling the boss. One of you is the employee and one of you is the boss.

c. Partner with a classmate and role-play the situation of confronting Clare. One of you is the employee and one of you is Clare.

Hints:

■ How can you deliver the negative news without sounding like a tattletale?

■ How can you make the situation seem severe enough so that your boss takes action?