Service of Don’t Count on Others to Do Their Jobs Well—or An Apology for Dropped Balls
November 9th, 2023
Categories: Dropped Balls, Drugs, Medical Care, Medicine, Taxes, Tests
Several friends shared stories of others dropping significant balls without owning to or acknowledging their mistakes, much less apologizing for them.
This ducking blame trend is longstanding and goes far beyond issues with significant repercussions. Have you noticed that some baristas or deli workers will blame the customer for mistakes? “You did—or did not—ask for milk or mustard or multigrain bread.”
So Taxing
The IRS contacted one friend this summer about a large outstanding balance–that she had already paid–plus interest/a late fee. She called her accountant who said he’d get back to her. He didn’t. She assumed all was well.
Last week she received another letter from the IRS and the original $260 had jumped to $420 reflecting more interest on the late fee—that shouldn’t have been charged to begin with. She called the accountant who claimed that they had discussed this. Nope. The fault, he said, consistently steering the conversation away from his mistake and the issue, was because she wasn’t paying quarterly.
Testy
Another friend discovered that a test that the school should have administered to her child last year had not been. The school psychologist did not respond to her query, so she copied the principal in her follow up. The test was to be given every three years. She finally heard back from the psychologist with no apology.
Read the Small Print
A pal takes medication for a chronic condition. She also has high blood pressure. Before checking her record, a social worker suggested she try a new medication. A side effect of the new meds? High blood pressure.
Do you count on others to do what they say they will or what they should?
This is old but true. My daughter Lisa uses a power wheelchair. In high school some of her classes were in a different building. There was no automatic opener on the door ( glitch in the law..not required)so when she’d get to the door she hoped someone would be walking by or she’d have to push it open with her power chair. So I wrote a very nice note explaining problem to the headmaster. After three weeks and no reply I talked to a close friend who was the executive director of Mass office on disabilities. A week later the State walked the school along with many other folks. When we all met in the auditorium the vice principal stood up and said I don’t know why the mother didn’t contact us. I stood up and straightened him out. Long story short they had to install those and a bunch of other things to. If they’d taken Responsibility in the first place that would have been smart. Frankly I really enjoyed the payback. A perfect example of “we had no idea!”
Helen,
A few versions of “we had no idea,” include “I didn’t realize,” or “it was never a problem before,” or “it’s not in my job description,” or …..but never an “I am so sorry!”
I am constantly amazed at the people who don’t do what they should in myriad positions and their ability to accept no responsibility ! Furthermore the prevailing Justification for any and all carelessness, neglect, or errors is always someone else. It is also normal to aggressively blame the part who is stoned. I have been given incorrect information with regard to transpire for disabilities by an incompetent social worker who also furnished a medical “referral” which turned out to be the result of putting my name and address in a Google search. Not only was no apology forthcoming, but her supervisor offered me her service again.
A recent office move was a nightmare. Workers showed up totally unprepared for the task, said their office should have visited to see the nature of the job. After the rushing with errors I found that I was being charged more than 200% the quoted amount. I received no bill or breakdown. When I spoke with the boss as directed by my credit card company I was blamed for everything including failure to supply adequate information and more. Not only was there no apology, no invoice, breakdown, but aggressive criticism of what I saw as failures of the business to do its own work! I am afraid to engage any service because I may be blamed or charged for anything ordered or not.