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In commemoration of Labor Day, the holiday established to celebrate American workers, I had an idea to start a thread to talk about work. It’s something we all have in common, and it’s something that we all have opinions about and experiences with. I think this topic has potential to slightly improve what we all get out of this board. Let’s start off by laying some ground rules. These rules are certainly debatable. I am making these suggestions to try to bridge the sort of pitfalls that this conversation might take. My intention isn’t for this to become a call-out thread. I wouldn’t like this thread to become a place to shame individual employers or co-workers. Also, it isn’t my intention to create a war between the boss and worker in this thread, but rather find areas for improvement in both directions. If we can avoid an uncivil class war in this thread, I would be pleased. I would ideally like to see this thread become a place to come for general advice, where we can draw from our collective experience. Here are my proposed guidelines. I will be happy to explain my thinking on any of these suggestions: It would benefit the thread that posters not mention specific employers It would benefit the thread that specific job titles are not mentioned It would benefit the thread that those who employ are given the same respect as those who are employed, and that the mutual relationship be revered. It would benefit the thread that posters speak from personal experience and with detail, but change the details enough that this thread doesn’t become so personal that it becomes inaccessible (picky) to the general reader of this forum who might wish to participate. My example: Here’s what I’ve got in mind. I’ve got the boss’s ear. I’m doing my job well, but I’m rather new at it. I was hired as a manager, and I’d like to get the most out of my department. I came into it with fresh eyes, and saw a lot of room for improvement, but I’m getting comfortable with the way things work and don’t want to become complacent. I’m in charge of a department at a hardware store. It’s a nice local one – the type you go into for advice. Anyways, I’d like to bring in fishing and camping equipment, because those are areas that I see we could expand into, at least for entry level gear, and I think we’ve got the space in my dept. Anyone have experience with that? I’m looking for advice either for entry level gear for camping and fishing, or general advice about taking initiative like this. Do I make the order and present it to the boss to pull the trigger, or do I have to persuade him through every step. I get the impression that this boss, and most bosses have enough on his plate, and would respect, if not appreciate me just doing the legwork, not having to think about it too deeply. I’d like to leave it as just a yes/no decision with all the details ready to execute. What do you think? Happy Labor Day, Fellow Workers! Go Sabres!