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* BLUF - I'm looking for advice on how to handle and address the posting of the CEO's (University President's) Salary on bulletin board 

 

It is a list of the Top 20 University President's Salary's in the Nation. Our's appears on the list and it is highlighted in yellow.

 

This is part of a recent article that was published and several of us have been sharing it around the office by email.

 

* What is different here is that it was printed and posted on the board in the break room.

 

In light that we recently had a large set of layoffs in the organization I don't think that this was posted for a good reason.

 In short, I am finding it hard to assume positive intent here.

 

I already took it down

I can see no positive reason or outcome for this posting.

Suggestions on how to handle it :

 

A - Put it back up ?  With no further mention.  Basically, do nothing.

B - Take it down and make no further mention of it.

C - Put it back up with a posted response ---

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Building and Maintaining positive relationships is an important part of our job performance each day.

President XXXX is a fellow employee, a team member of this University.

How does posting this information build and maintain a positive relationship with our fellow employee XXX ?

Even if you somehow know of a fellow's salary what positive reason is there to post it up in the break room ?

Would you like someone to post your salary on this board ?

 

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 D - Bring this up verbally at tomorrow’s staff meeting and making a point to impart the idea 

Building and Maintaining positive relationships is an important part of our job performance each day.

President Hanbury is a fellow employee, a team member of this University.

How does posting this information build and maintain a positive relationship with our fellow employee George Hanbury ?

Even if you somehow know of a fellow's salary what positive reason is there to post it up in the break room ?

Would you like someone to post your salary on this board ?

=======

 

Any other ideas ?

 

Thanks

 

UncleA

 

Chris Zeller's picture
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Hi Uncle,

Based on the context that you provided, it seems that the effect of the posting has been an increase in stress and potential conflict (intent not withstanding).

Unless you're the Department Chair or hold a leadership position that includes responsibility for resovling conflict and reducing friction, I recommend giving serious consdieration as to whether or not you even want to engage here. Potential downsides seem to outweigh any benefits and you may wind up fanning flames unnecesarily. 

If you do have an obligation to engage/resolve, then I think it's a single line item on the next meeting agenda in which it's addressed briefly (90 seconds or less) and publically put to bed. Focus on the behavior (posting things) and the results of that behavior on the team/department. If the results are inconsistent with accomplishing the department's goals or tear down/drive the team apart, then the behavior is inappropriate and unprofessional.

Keep personal beliefs out of it and avoid discussions or debate around intent, morals, right/wrong, incentives, and anything else that's subjective.

Indidviduals with a personal gripe or who feel a need to vent can do so privately. If you feel so inclined, you can offer resources in the form of appropriate channels or points of contact who are there to field greivances, investigate ethics complaints, etc.

Stay frosty, keep yourself above the muckety-muck, and don't get dragged into an argument.

Chris

uncleauberon's picture

Sorry I didn’t say it.  

Yes, I am the Dept. Director

I am hoping my swift removal sent enough of a message.

I will be addressing it indirectly next week. 

 

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

UncleA

 

 

 

Chris Zeller's picture
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Checking in -- how did it go when you addressed it in the subsequent meeting?