When Employees Criticize Supervisors

You've likely had coworkers complain to you about a fellow staffer, but how you handle these negative comments and complaints impacts your working relationship with your supervisors and your professional image in the office. Here are some suggestions for handling criticism of supervisors appropriately in various situations:

When you're standing in for a superior at a meeting: If attendees decide to air complaints about the supervisor during a meeting, you need to respond as effectively as possible. Take time to find out the reason for their anger, answer questions, clear confusion, and explain his/her position. Your overall mission is to support your superior.

When you're in a social atmosphere: Social gatherings are sometimes a popular forum for office gossip. When the gossip is about a superior, steer the conversation in another direction. If you're not able to change the subject, simply excuse yourself from the discussion.

When you're at work: Whether you overhear comments or colleagues complain to you directly, gather the information and try to find out as much as you can in order to respond appropriately.

While it's necessary to support your supervisor when others criticize him or her or spread gossip, you should make him or her aware of what's going on when:

* The criticism or gossip stirs up professional issues. For instance, gossip may be circulating around the office that could tarnish a supervisor's professional image.
* Your supervisor is able to take steps to correct the complaints or criticism.
* You're able to take corrective action to stop the criticism.