At Fistful of Talent, Tim Sackett outlines the Number 1 Employee Recognition Tool of All Time. What is it? A note to your parents.
Okay, now as crazy as that sounds, read the linked article and you’ll see that the two examples given are downright inspiring. Having the employer get in touch with Mom and Dad as a means of providing employee recognition sounds like a wonderful idea. But I can’t help but wonder…if your employer decides it’s appropriate to communicate with your parents about how terrific you are, isn’t there a risk that they might also decide to enlist a little parental support when a problem arrives?
I mean, imagine being called down to the boss’s office and there are Mom and Dad, already sitting there, with concerned looks on their faces.
With that unpleasant scenario in mind, let’s do one of our Friday Surveys to see how we feel about employers communicating with employee’s parents.
ohhhhhh NEVER! Unless you are being honored for some event or they are listed as an emergency contact, but I really don’t see those two situations happening much….
When I bring them to the company picnic, or my retirement party.
When you are dead, missing or seriously injured at work and the parents are listed as the emergency contact.
If there is a medical emergency and they are listed as the contact.
Other: To tell them that you died at work.
When you are on engulfed in flames, listed as missing following an intense firefight or when you forget your homework.
Even I can’t get ahold of my parents….
Only if I have won the lottery and no-one can find me.