You have been working with a man who was beaten and robbed. Because of the injuries, he has been unable to work. His employer calls you several times, saying he thinks the man is simply “freaked out” and needs to get over it. The boss tells you that he has told the man this on several occasions, and says that the man just yells at him. You need the boss to understand the severity of the situation, and you feel it would be helpful if he did not keep calling the victim with his negative opinions. Your message expresses your need for the boss to work with you and the client more constructively.

In the vignette that above, you have a problem with the behavior or actions of someone; this person’s behavior is affecting the goals of your work with the client or is adversely affecting the client. For each vignette, construct a firmer message that explicitly or implicitly requests this person’s help.