How Do I Politely Refuse an Unwanted Job Role Without Causing Conflict?

Dear Friends,

I am in trouble. During this appraisal, my immediate boss was reviewing my performance. He told me to handle an additional portfolio. As of now, I am taking care of the entire gamut of HR. I told him I could take up Industrial Relations as an additional portfolio, but he is forcing me to take on Canteen operations, which I have no interest in. In fact, I just hate it. I had communicated this to him.

Now the issue is, I am going to sit with my Boss (Head) for another review, and I am damn sure he's going to tell me the same thing. I don't know how to say NO to him or how to express my feelings without an argument. :no: :-?

Friends, your views will help me to think in different ways. Kindly share your thoughts on this issue.

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

As you have written, you are interested in IR. But understand, the canteen is also a part of IR, dear.

Go ahead, take the responsibility; authority will follow. Enjoy.

All the best.

Regards,

Rajeev Dixit

I too feel it's completely alright to go ahead with an added responsibility of Canteen Operations. Please understand it's not the ONLY responsibility; it's only an extended role. The canteen is the major place where problems are initiated, and if you can handle this, it's an added advantage to your resume. As mentioned by Rajeev, canteen operations are also a part of IR. Be bold - take a step ahead and handle it. It's a challenge, it's a sign that you're moving forward. It's not simple, honey, trust me. It's a real challenge.

I think it's okay to take up this additional responsibility. Though it's an admin profile, you can have enough scope to take certain creative initiatives which will make a difference in the lives of the employees. You should feel fortunate that during this downturn when people are being issued pink slips, at least you are getting some additional roles to enhance your profile. So, grab it!!! All the best.

Anu

Thank you friends for your quick responses. I am very much ready to face the challenge, but, frankly speaking, my mind is not accepting this portfolio, don't know why? The reason might be the operation as of now or the attitude of the management towards canteen operations. I feel like I am keeping myself in a kind of routine chore! I don't know how I am going to react to my boss.

Friends, I will keep you posted on this matter. Thanks a lot.

May be possible your past experience with the canteen is excellent and your job profile fits 100% for the canteen job.

You may think you are fit for IR, but maybe this is just a fake dream. It's possible that you are not suitable for HR, so your manager has selected you as the in-charge of the canteen.

I believe your manager is right because he knows you better than the citehr members.

Dada

Dear,

Be transparent and honest with your boss. Ask him the reason why he wants you to look after the canteen and inquire about the career path after that. Perhaps he is giving you the additional responsibility for a few months. Be positive if you are going for a second review; most probably, he wants to discuss at length and take your views into consideration. The assessment is based on your performance from last year, so your current issues will not affect your last year's performance rating.

FYI - this is an added responsibility for Chum...not the only responsibility.

You have no right to consider whether a person is fit for that job...or ONLY fit for the job. Suggestions are not required on your certification of the same.

Kindly read before posting "IT IS AN ADDED RESPONSIBILITY."

According to me, an added responsibility comes only when the current portfolio is being well handled and the person can handle more.

Moreover, canteen operation is a part of IR, and that is where IR issues arise. What will you do if you are in charge of the canteen - and one day an employee poisons the food / or puts a cockroach in the side dish...and blames the management for it?

I wonder if you are ever oriented about HR subjects..or even know what IR is related to - Canteen is a major part.

I don't blame you - experience or your ignorance - but whatever you commented is RUBBISH!

Regarding the previous canteen experience being "Excellent," then it means Chum already has experience with IR. Oh - Sorry... You never knew that Canteen Operations were a part of IR, right?

Hello,

As has been rightly pointed out by others, I would also like to emphasize that taking responsibility for canteen operations is an integral task in the IR domain. Believe me, it will provide you with immense confidence and maturity over time.

I strongly recommend seizing this opportunity and moving forward without hesitation. Managing the canteen is truly a stepping stone in an HR/IR career. Ensure to prioritize safety, food quality, strict adherence to meal/snack timings, hygiene, and, of course, cost control (hopefully, this is part of your Key Result Area - KRA, to manage the canteen within an agreed cost).

Work on establishing a good rapport with the other canteen management committee members gradually, and communicate effectively and clearly, as this is crucial for success in this role. Conduct surprise canteen audits to ensure everything is in order.

Wishing you all the best.

Goodbye

Hi,

I happen to recollect a case that my professor explained to me in my class when you mentioned CANTEEN. What I drew from it is that if you want to be an effective IR MAN, you start from the canteen. Trust me, the canteen, supposedly the hangout of people in the organization, speaks loud and will teach you amazing lessons on people handling. Trade Unions - IR... any bells ringing?

They say "The way to a man's heart is his stomach" so don't just say NO, start off with it. And if you cannot tolerate it, at least have the face to say I TRIED.

WISH YOU LUCK

Regards,
Neeta

Dear Chum,

Don't take canteen operations on a regular basis because you have to monitor everything in HR. You can monitor the canteen on a random basis. Yes, ask your boss to appoint an assistant under you so that you can take on the challenge of managing the canteen and other welfare amenities.

You should be clear with your boss regarding canteen operations. It is your responsibility, but you have to manage the entire workload of HR, which is very demanding. Please clarify with your boss that he can assign this responsibility to someone else, and you can assist him.

Best Regards,
Sajid Ansari - Delhi

[Global Overseas - Home: Compliance Audit, ISO certification, BFSI Audit, Export, Gem, Jewelry, Chemical Industry](http://www.globaloverseas.in) for more details.

Chum,

My appreciation for your open thoughts and opinion on the opportunity you are compelled to take up. Today's market requires you to be a well-rounded resource and not just a focused one. If you are looking for challenges, there are enough challenges in the canteen operations. "Hate" may not be a good word to use in an HR function. You would have to like it yourself to convince someone else to take it up under your supervision. You have to like it to convince your boss of your choice as well. :-) Wish you good luck in your negotiations.

Hi dear friend,

Well, as you mentioned, until now, the attitude of management towards the canteen was not great. However, by coming up with innovative measures, you can make the canteen a very good place. The canteen is thronged by most people of the organization all the time, and hence, you can form very good contacts within the organization itself. Moreover, if possible, delegate the operational part of the canteen to a subordinate, and yourself just take up the planning responsibility.

ALL THE BEST... JUST PROVE YOURSELF.

Hi Chum,

Be optimistic and think of taking the challenge. If you're not interested, it means you're shying away from responsibilities. Employee relations and Industrial relations start from Canteen management itself. Keep moving forward and take on new responsibilities. You will achieve success and gain more exposure.

Regards,
S.V

Hi Buddy,

I agree with what Divya has guided you in this case. You have done a good job, and as a part of the appraisal, you have this opportunity in your hands now. So, anyway, when you have expressed your partial disagreement to your boss, then definitely, you can ask for support from the management by having a helping hand for canteen operations. If that doesn't excite you, then move on. But, yeah, think once; this can also be an opportunity for you to learn a new part of HR.

Regards,
Jatin

Canteen is a part of IR, so the best approach is to take it up as a challenge and prove to your boss that you can successfully complete any tasks assigned to you with flying colors. Take it up, dear.

Friend, in the scenario of "RECESSION," every employee is going to the workplace with fire under their bellies. I hope you know the reason for that well. So, at this time, you have been given an opportunity which you should grab and start working to impress your boss. It's not a question of your interest because the only reason is the market conditions prevailing due to "RECESSION." Please keep this in mind, go ahead, and take up the challenge, my friend! Good Luck!

Satya.

Dear chum,

Please consider this as an opportunity. Take this, hold on, and create some footprints in this field. After some time, you just tell your management about your inner feelings. At the inception stage, don't ignore anything. It is an opportunity to learn about people's behavior in terms of canteen management.

Managing a canteen is one of the toughest tasks, and it is an art. Even as an HR person, you should be able to handle canteen-related issues, understand how it is created, and know how to solve these issues. Satisfying individuals in terms of food in an organization is highly challenging, but it is a chance to learn, and these learnings will help you in your future organization one day.

Regards,
Saradha - HR

Hi,

Take on canteen management. It is not as simple as it sounds. I am part of the food committee in my organization and there is a lot of learning involved - managing vendors, employees, and dealing with situations where you have to either confront or support employees or management. It's very interesting. Go ahead and accept it.

If you are not comfortable with the additional portfolio of canteen, you can discuss it with your Reviewer. He may be a matured person than your immediate boss? While discussing with him, be ready with your current JD.
You said you are taking care of the entire gamut of HR and I am afraid how you will manage the additional responsibilities?
In many companies, canteen is handled by General Services and mind it, it is a full-time responsible job. You will have to be in the canteen to check the food and raw material quality, particularly when it is being handled by any contractor.
So go ahead with your preparation and have the courage to discuss with your reviewer.
All the best…
Karan

Hi,

Nowadays, having multiple skills is an added advantage. Canteen operations are also part of industrial relations (IR), and this involvement will bring you closer to the employees, improving your interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. My humble advice is not to have a negative approach to this issue. Believe that you can handle this role, and soon you will enjoy it.

Goodbye,
Dr. Nirmala

Hi,

This is not the time to say no to any boss. It's better to understand why your boss has given you this task specifically after your performance assessment. Take up the challenge; there are a lot of possibilities to work on grievances, employee relations, and much more with this canteen work. Moreover, you will also have some time to equip yourself for the next position in the ladder. It's not ideal for an HR professional to say no; instead, handle it differently and prove that you are worth it. I believe you will understand my standpoint.

Regards,
Vijay

Hi,

Even though I work in HR handling almost all the responsibilities, including the staff restaurant. While I am given additional tasks and responsibilities, I do not refuse to take charge but ask the Director of HR to provide me with assistance to ensure smooth operation. In this way, I believe you can take charge and make use of the opportunity, which will be a plus point for you.

Regards,
Saleem

Chum!!

Courage. I don't really know what your big hopes, expectations, and next career options are. But I am sure that you have discussed this with your boss, who may have assured you of his support. If all of this is evident, it may be the starting point of the implementation of your development plan. Taking on a new responsibility will not take anything away from you; on the contrary, it will add many skills that you are not expecting. Don't throw away this opportunity. Take the challenge and demonstrate that you are capable. I'm sure that being a HRD tomorrow also means you have to understand many aspects of HR management, like managing a canteen.

Please don't throw away this GREAT opportunity.

Jean Martin

Hi,

Please accept whatever role you are offered. It is not a step down; it is a step up because you are in charge of the health of several families. Ensure you serve your boss at the canteen in the most respectful manner. Apologize to your boss and thank him for giving you another good opportunity to work in the hotel industry. Tell him you are going to get an ISO certification for the canteen. Don't waste your time and energy by talking about him to others or arguing with him. Your boss must be undergoing an emotional breakdown, and the result is these actions. Sleep over the issues for fifteen days, and you will find that you have been a winner.

Best Wishes - Arokian

Yes, canteen management is a real challenge in man management. Managing it successfully and improving standards will naturally boost your position. It should not be "I don't want" or "I don't like," think of it as whether I can or I cannot. You will get your answer.

Hi, I'm Harshat. I'm a DOEACC O level student, but I'm very much confused about my career. Should I pursue DOEACC A and B levels or ICWA? If I choose DOEACC, are there any chances of getting a good job? Or if I pursue ICWA, are there any chances of having more benefits? Please suggest the perfect way. I am currently pursuing B.Com.

Dear Friends.... (Chum, Dada, Ash et al)

I read these postings today itself and found myself in the thick of action. Very active posts. If you all don't mind, let me put forth my viewpoints:

* CANTEENS (as provided for in the Factories Act) are undoubtedly an HR function. It is usually grouped with either IR or Employee Services functions.

* A big PSU where I had worked earlier had 54 factories registered within the Plant area and consequently, the same number of Canteens.

* There was a full-fledged Canteen Dept. headed by a Senior Manager under IR.

* There was an Apex Co-operative Society (company-sponsored) with a number of member Co-operative societies supplying items to the Canteen, with an annual turnover of 22 Cr. Just imagine the magnitude of the operation. This organization was headed by a DY. G. M.

* Ever been to an Indian Army canteen? Then you must be aware of its multi-disciplinary activities. The army personnel can get not only rations and household items but also gadgets and motor vehicles!

* These days many companies (especially in Bangalore, Gurgaon, etc., in the IT sector) have small shops inside the campus that stock daily needs items, so that their employees don't waste time outside.

* So, you can always raise the bar for the quality of service leading to employee satisfaction, delight, and engagement.

Therefore, dear Chum, although I guess yours is a smaller organization, still don't underestimate or under-respect the task at hand. In any case, I don't think you have any idea about the task itself, right? You are not being asked to cook or serve food :-D

Your task would basically involve:

* PROCUREMENT (of materials at fair competitive prices),

* to look after OPERATIONS (to ensure adherence to hygienic standards, economy of operation, reduction of wastage, Manning - cooking & serving, Timings & Schedules, etc.),

* QUALITY (of food & drinks - hot/cold),

* Informally monitor Organization Climate/IR - workers don't have closed-door cabins, and the canteen is the place from where trouble starts; it is also a source of 'grapevine'.

* Another suggestion is - don't ask for an assistant at the outset - it will undermine your capabilities as a capable, resourceful manager.

* Finally, please remember, as an HR person, one cannot flatly refuse to attend to certain components of HR like Canteen services - one can't be a cherry-picker.

* In a lighter vein: there are many other perks as well - you can have tea, coffee, cold drinks, snacks, etc., as many times as you want, ABSOLUTELY FREE, without anyone objecting to it. After all, you'll have to TASTE food to ensure quality. :razz:

Wishing you success in your additional DELIGHTFUL assignment. :)

Hi Rinky,

I agree with you that management does not pay much heed towards Canteen Operations, but you have an opportunity to change their attitude. There is a huge scope of value addition in this area, which will be visible to everyone. Take up the challenge, change the system, and then go for a feedback survey from employees. Good appraisal is not far away; you will have facts to prove yourself.

All the best,
Chum

Ash,

I don't worry about your rubbish comments... Everybody knows empty vessels make more sound.

Dada