Act 1: The Conflict

Employee:

I wish my boss would get off my back.

Sure, she schedules me for only 26 hours of work a week. And when I want to go off on a trip somewhere, all I have to do is give her a couple of weeks’ notice. Oh, yes, she also provides health insurance.

But she’s put this schedule on my desk, telling me which hours to work, when to take lunch, even when to do my housework.

She tells me that if I want to have any personal time in the morning, I must get up at 5:30, be dressed and ready to walk at 7:00, eat breakfast and be at my desk by 8:30.

And those items on the To-Do List she keeps piling on?! What an unreasonable, insensitive nag!

Well, I’ll show her! I’m taking a break and playing a game of FreeCell! Then I’m going to the kitchen for a snack.

Boss:

Go ahead! Play your games. Eat your apple.

But don’t come complaining to me that you’re behind schedule on two of your three blogs, your family reunion commitments, and following up on another possible paying job.

Don’t complain to me because your kitchen’s a mess, and once again, you’re getting your food to the Community Center on Friday afternoon just in the nick of time before it closes.

Sure! Go ahead! Check the latest messages on Facebook! Read every e-mail the minute it pops up. Follow every link that looks remotely interesting. You can always do your work later!

And I hear you’ve made plans to be gone most of the day on Saturday. Just when are you going to do all the work you’ve put off ‘til then?

Oh, by the way. While you were out, your daughter called. Looks like her baby may be coming earlier than planned.

Employee: Oh, no! I’m not ready! And she told you instead of me?

I can’t believe how you interfere in my personal life. I demand we call in someone to sort this out. It’s not working.

Boss: You’re right. And I know just the person. A Productivity Consultant.

Employee: Is she someone I can trust?

Boss: I think so! She’s you!

Who do you think is at fault here? What advice do you expect Productivity Consultant-Cheryl to give?

Come back on Wednesday for Act 2, in which Productivity Consultant-Cheryl advises Boss-Cheryl and Employee-Cheryl on ways they can resolve this conflict.