DEAR ABBY: As a university compliance officer, my job is to conduct mandatory training for faculty and staff. They know dates, times and meeting schedules weeks in advance. I try to keep these workouts as short and as few as possible, which means we have to use all the time available.
My problem is that whenever we take a short break, some subset of people wander off to destinations unknown. Are they looking for coffee? Bandage? Reassessing their life goals? We never know.
I’m left with two options: Hold everyone up and wait for them to come back, which is polite but will ensure we all finish the day late, or start without them. The rougher version means I have to deny their certification until they meet with me to catch up. Both options are frustrating.
I learned that the longer the pause, the more people disappear. No amount of warning or amount of coaxing will get everyone back in time. So which option is better: start or wait? — SHOWING IN MASSACHUSETTS
DEAR RUNNING: Stop being such a pushover. At the beginning of each meeting, explain to those in attendance that everyone must be present for the entire presentation OR YOU CANNOT WIT THEM. Then continue. Don’t keep making yourself available to those who jump out because it’s disrespectful to the people who stay.
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