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Good God.
Earlier this week, one of the representatives at the company where I do most of my work, called me to ask if I could do a certain assignment. I said, yes, I could.
Now, this is the important part:
When could I do the job?
I told her, making it VERY CLEAR that I am NOT available during a certain time frame, but that OUTSIDE said time frame, I am available. Okay, that should be clear, right?
Well, yes, if you're talking to someone who speaks English fluently.
Today, I was notified that the assignment had been arranged for a time that is during my unavailable time. I have accepted the assignment, but I let the representative know that she had misunderstood the time when I was available, and that I knew she didn't speak English very well, so I suggested that she pass on any such future assignments to another representative, who speaks English much better. I also let her know that this can't happen again. I hammered home the point about passing on future assignments; eventually, she pointed out that I'd made this remark several times. I agreed, and told her that I wanted to make sure that she knew what I was saying.
During this phone call, she commented weakly that "We're only human." She also asked me what happens when I make a mistake. I told her that I pay for it, which is true.
I was feeling bad about this after the phone call. She sounded as if she might be crying. She's always been very nice and bubbly, though difficult to communicate with, due to the language barrier. I was wondering if I should have handled it differently, and if so, how.
Not anymore. She sent me a couple of very rude emails, telling me that she's absolutely sure that I gave her a different timeframe, that she knows what she knows and I can't tell her any differently, her English is just fine, thank you, and not to talk to her like that anymore.
I emailed her that I am hardly likely to tell her that I'm available when I'm not - who knows better than I when I'm available? I told her that if she doesn't understand something, she can always ask me to repeat it. I pointed out that she has called me during my busy period, so she also has at least some idea of when I'm available.
Gah. That company is just a place where nobody takes responsibility for any damned thing.
Earlier this week, one of the representatives at the company where I do most of my work, called me to ask if I could do a certain assignment. I said, yes, I could.
Now, this is the important part:
When could I do the job?
I told her, making it VERY CLEAR that I am NOT available during a certain time frame, but that OUTSIDE said time frame, I am available. Okay, that should be clear, right?
Well, yes, if you're talking to someone who speaks English fluently.
Today, I was notified that the assignment had been arranged for a time that is during my unavailable time. I have accepted the assignment, but I let the representative know that she had misunderstood the time when I was available, and that I knew she didn't speak English very well, so I suggested that she pass on any such future assignments to another representative, who speaks English much better. I also let her know that this can't happen again. I hammered home the point about passing on future assignments; eventually, she pointed out that I'd made this remark several times. I agreed, and told her that I wanted to make sure that she knew what I was saying.
During this phone call, she commented weakly that "We're only human." She also asked me what happens when I make a mistake. I told her that I pay for it, which is true.
I was feeling bad about this after the phone call. She sounded as if she might be crying. She's always been very nice and bubbly, though difficult to communicate with, due to the language barrier. I was wondering if I should have handled it differently, and if so, how.
Not anymore. She sent me a couple of very rude emails, telling me that she's absolutely sure that I gave her a different timeframe, that she knows what she knows and I can't tell her any differently, her English is just fine, thank you, and not to talk to her like that anymore.
I emailed her that I am hardly likely to tell her that I'm available when I'm not - who knows better than I when I'm available? I told her that if she doesn't understand something, she can always ask me to repeat it. I pointed out that she has called me during my busy period, so she also has at least some idea of when I'm available.
Gah. That company is just a place where nobody takes responsibility for any damned thing.
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