Meeting Dread

Hi Peeps,

Put your hand up if you have a specific work meeting you dread. 🙌 That is a two hander from me.

In my workplace, it is the all staff meeting that is held once a term and runs until 5pm at night. See most teachers usually leave by 3:30pm, so 5pm is late for us. We generally start work around 7am - 7:30am so don't give me the usually BS about teachers only working school hours. (And if you mention the amazing holidays I will put a curse on your first born).

All day, a dark cloud hovers over the school, it has been looming for a week and today it arrives. Staff see each other and say are you looking forward to tonight? Knowing you want to stab yourself in the eye with a fork before going to this meeting.

Everyone sees -who was brave or stupid - and called in sick. They don't have to come but have to make the time up another time. They have already made the time up 10 x over because remember we only get paid for 5 hours and work a 7-8 hour day.

The Boss provides some food to try and sweeten the experience but he also loves the meeting. He thinks these meetings are great because he gets to see everyone and pass on strategic plans and direction.

I am in management so I get it. Staff do need to hear this stuff but don't let a presenter talk for 40mins on something that could be sent in a email or only affects 10% of the workforce. The important bits then get rushed, the parts staff would have benefited from.

To solve this meeting dread have a staff member should go over the agenda with the boss and negotiate. Simple and you also make an inclusive, collaborative culture.