Is it appropriate to apologize to a boss for poor performance? How?
December 29, 2015 1:36 PM Subscribe
Personal upheaval has affected my work performance in the past few months, both my day job and freelancing gig. No major screw-ups, but some missed days, missed deadlines, and overall reduction in my quality of work. I've been thinking about saying something to my direct supervisors, just a "hey, I know I've been off my game lately and I'm sorry. Thank you for your patience, and please know that I'm committed to improving my performance."
Is this appropriate, or am I being overly anxious/contrite? Some contextual details below.
Day job is in a small nonprofit office. It's a friendly and supportive work culture, and I have a generally good, but not close, relationship with my direct supervisor. They know the basics of what's been going on in my life, and have been understanding of missed days and some schedule shifts, but have also had to follow up with me on a few minor errors and tasks that should have been completed sooner/without direct supervision. I haven't been reprimanded, but I know I've been under-performing and need to get back on course. I want to recommit to being a good employee, which I realize I can do without apologizing or vocalizing embarrassment, but I've been feeling like I should say something. I'm also h
Freelance gig is a bit different as the editor is a friend of mine. We regularly socialized when we lived in the same city, but now we're in separate places and primarily communicate through our writer-editor roles. I've consistently missed deadlines over the past two months, usually by a few hours but up to a full day a couple of times. My friend/editor hasn't said anything, but I know their work style and have seen them become frustrated by late work from other people in the past. I'd like to shoot them an email acknowledging that I've been off but will be on top of things moving forward. I normally wouldn't have a problem having a "hey, thank you for supporting me during this tough time" talk with a friend, but it's different when they're paying me for work and I know the work hadn't been up to par. Also, not sure if I should send it to her work email or her personal one? This feels like a silly thing to worry about!
In either case, is it appropriate to acknowledge my regrets and commit to doing better, or do I just show it by working harder/better/faster/stronger?
Day job is in a small nonprofit office. It's a friendly and supportive work culture, and I have a generally good, but not close, relationship with my direct supervisor. They know the basics of what's been going on in my life, and have been understanding of missed days and some schedule shifts, but have also had to follow up with me on a few minor errors and tasks that should have been completed sooner/without direct supervision. I haven't been reprimanded, but I know I've been under-performing and need to get back on course. I want to recommit to being a good employee, which I realize I can do without apologizing or vocalizing embarrassment, but I've been feeling like I should say something. I'm also h
Freelance gig is a bit different as the editor is a friend of mine. We regularly socialized when we lived in the same city, but now we're in separate places and primarily communicate through our writer-editor roles. I've consistently missed deadlines over the past two months, usually by a few hours but up to a full day a couple of times. My friend/editor hasn't said anything, but I know their work style and have seen them become frustrated by late work from other people in the past. I'd like to shoot them an email acknowledging that I've been off but will be on top of things moving forward. I normally wouldn't have a problem having a "hey, thank you for supporting me during this tough time" talk with a friend, but it's different when they're paying me for work and I know the work hadn't been up to par. Also, not sure if I should send it to her work email or her personal one? This feels like a silly thing to worry about!
In either case, is it appropriate to acknowledge my regrets and commit to doing better, or do I just show it by working harder/better/faster/stronger?
No, not necessary, just take a deep breath relax and step it back up.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:47 PM on December 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:47 PM on December 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
In either case, is it appropriate to acknowledge my regrets and commit to doing better, or do I just show it by working harder/better/faster/stronger?
The latter. I don't have any interest in any employee's past performance - there's nothing that can be done about it. I only care about the future. Any time stuck in the past is wasted effort.
posted by saeculorum at 1:49 PM on December 29, 2015 [7 favorites]
The latter. I don't have any interest in any employee's past performance - there's nothing that can be done about it. I only care about the future. Any time stuck in the past is wasted effort.
posted by saeculorum at 1:49 PM on December 29, 2015 [7 favorites]
I wouldn't write anything down, but if you feel the need, I think it fine to make a brief comment to that effect if/when you find yourself alone with your supervisor(s) at the end of a meeting. I'd keep it super short.
The best (and most effective) thanks will be your improved performance.
posted by smirkette at 1:50 PM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
The best (and most effective) thanks will be your improved performance.
posted by smirkette at 1:50 PM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Never put anything in writing that is an admission of you having been a less than satisfactory employee, oh my god. Just don't.
posted by poffin boffin at 1:55 PM on December 29, 2015 [73 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 1:55 PM on December 29, 2015 [73 favorites]
I've done this verbally, when a manager had already been particularly supportive and helpful. I think it was good. But again, this was verbally and only to my direct manager who had already gone out on a limb for me. I imagine it also depends on things like office culture, etc.
posted by thefoxgod at 2:02 PM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by thefoxgod at 2:02 PM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: As a supervisor of people, I don't need apologies. I do need to know that people are adequately aware of areas that need improvement and don't think things are just fine when there's actually a problem. That's a recipe for disaster at performance eval time. I think these kind of discussions should be a normal thing that happens, the more often the better.
For the day job, I wouldn't write a letter or anything, but I would mention it to my boss at some point. Not focusing on apology for past performance, but more in a "here are my goals for improvement, do you agree with those?" Being perceptively self-critical is even better than taking criticism well, but sometimes we are our own harshest critic and our boss isn't even that concerned. Or the boss knows we know and doesn't feel the need to pile on. The benefit of the conversation is getting on the same page about the future.
Try to keep it factual, though. It's not about bargaining or promising, it's about "I see this weakness, and I commit to improvement." Fact. The boss's next line is, "Great, I appreciate that. Do you need any help from me?"
I suspect this is more applicable to the long-term employment and not to a freelance/contractor situation. I don't have any experience with that.
posted by ctmf at 2:42 PM on December 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
For the day job, I wouldn't write a letter or anything, but I would mention it to my boss at some point. Not focusing on apology for past performance, but more in a "here are my goals for improvement, do you agree with those?" Being perceptively self-critical is even better than taking criticism well, but sometimes we are our own harshest critic and our boss isn't even that concerned. Or the boss knows we know and doesn't feel the need to pile on. The benefit of the conversation is getting on the same page about the future.
Try to keep it factual, though. It's not about bargaining or promising, it's about "I see this weakness, and I commit to improvement." Fact. The boss's next line is, "Great, I appreciate that. Do you need any help from me?"
I suspect this is more applicable to the long-term employment and not to a freelance/contractor situation. I don't have any experience with that.
posted by ctmf at 2:42 PM on December 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
Honestly, your performance might be better than you think. I have a chronic injury that has made me feel like an AWFUL employee sometimes, and during that period I got a raise and then a promotion/raise.
posted by radioamy at 2:48 PM on December 29, 2015
posted by radioamy at 2:48 PM on December 29, 2015
I'm a manager in a nonprofit. I only want to hear an apology if it's accompanied by a game plan to improve and followed by improvement - otherwise it seems a bit unprofessional.
That said, I don't know if a big apology is needed in this situation. For the missed days, I assume you took vacation or sick time, and it's none of your boss's business. For the small mistakes, well, that's not a huge deal and anyway, I would rather the mistakes stop than get an apology.
What I would really appreciate is an acknowledgement of the drop in performance and a plan for improvement, followed by improvement. Even just something like "hey, I know I've let a few things slip lately, but I'm going to do X, Y, and Z to improve."
Again, this doesn't really seem like a huge deal but if you have a very open, communicative relationship with your boss, then this kind of conversation could be good.
posted by lunasol at 3:54 PM on December 29, 2015 [6 favorites]
That said, I don't know if a big apology is needed in this situation. For the missed days, I assume you took vacation or sick time, and it's none of your boss's business. For the small mistakes, well, that's not a huge deal and anyway, I would rather the mistakes stop than get an apology.
What I would really appreciate is an acknowledgement of the drop in performance and a plan for improvement, followed by improvement. Even just something like "hey, I know I've let a few things slip lately, but I'm going to do X, Y, and Z to improve."
Again, this doesn't really seem like a huge deal but if you have a very open, communicative relationship with your boss, then this kind of conversation could be good.
posted by lunasol at 3:54 PM on December 29, 2015 [6 favorites]
I can and will only speak for myself: I would like hearing this from an employee. At my small company, the biggest thing I want people to do is care, so I'd genuinely appreciate hearing "I've had this and this going on but I'm back on track and my performance is going to improve". What I personally would not want to hear is an 'apology' per se - this isn't personal, you haven't, like, wronged me. Solely my $0.02.
posted by ftm at 6:20 PM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by ftm at 6:20 PM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Do you work for me (seriously, I had to check your profile to make sure you aren't my current employee - you aren't)? Mostly what I want to hear is not an apology but an indication that things will get back on track and an acknowledgement that other people, myself included, have been picking up your slack. It's more a thanks I would like than an apology.
posted by gingerbeer at 6:52 PM on December 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by gingerbeer at 6:52 PM on December 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
Best answer: First of all, send all work-related correspondence to your editor/friend's work address. Not only will it help your friend keep all your correspondence straight, but it maintains the boundary.
Second: thank them, don't apologize. "Sorry but I'm getting better" is something you can say only once, and only if it's 100% true. I would say "I've had this thing going on and I know my work has suffered and I have really appreciated your support. As I get back on track, is there anything you need from me right now?/what can I do for you?" or something along those lines at the end. If the sum of your work is suffering, asking your boss and editor what in particular they would like you to improve first shows that you want to align your priorities with their expectations and priorities.
posted by good lorneing at 6:59 PM on December 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Second: thank them, don't apologize. "Sorry but I'm getting better" is something you can say only once, and only if it's 100% true. I would say "I've had this thing going on and I know my work has suffered and I have really appreciated your support. As I get back on track, is there anything you need from me right now?/what can I do for you?" or something along those lines at the end. If the sum of your work is suffering, asking your boss and editor what in particular they would like you to improve first shows that you want to align your priorities with their expectations and priorities.
posted by good lorneing at 6:59 PM on December 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ldthomps at 1:42 PM on December 29, 2015 [7 favorites]