Boss Notices His Employee Sobbing At Her Desk, And His Act Of Kindness Turns Her Into The Best Employee

Companies often take their employees for granted. Withholding raises and promotions, piling up extra work and eliminating fringe benefits, they certainly know how to take advantage of their workers. But it doesn’t have to be like this. And this story by Bernie Reifkind proves it. Recently, he told his LinkedIn connections about the time he stumbled upon a mom employee, crying at her desk. She’d been up all night, was out of sick days, and her child was ill. However, instead of telling her to suck it up, Bernie did something that modern managers are forgetting about. It’s called being a decent human being and showing empathy.

More info: LinkedIn

Image credits: Bernie Reifkind

Boss Notices His Employee Sobbing At Her Desk, And His Act Of Kindness Turns Her Into The Best Employee

Image credits: Bernie Reifkind

But if you’re unhappy with your boss and think that your long days and flat paychecks are making the company rich, there are things you can do to get a bigger piece of the pie. The first step would be to approach your supervisor to ask for more money, better hours, a lighter workload, a promotion or some other perks. However, don’t demand. “The way you ask is important,” Holly G. Green, CEO and managing director of The Human Factor, told Monster.

“Start the conversation with phrases like ‘It seems as if the company has really turned around and is doing well, based on our most recent quarterly results. Can you help me understand how this will affect employees as we continue to do well?'”

Also, John O’Connor, president of Career Pro, advised against letting emotion get the better of you when you’re asking for what you think you deserve. “Don’t speak out in anger because it will never advance your career,” he said.

“Companies are asking for a lot right now, but if they don’t live up to their promises and it’s affecting your health and sanity and performance, be looking for a place that validates you,” O’Connor added.

People were really impressed by the CEO’s act of kindness, comparing it to the way their managers treat them

Boss Notices His Employee Sobbing At Her Desk, And His Act Of Kindness Turns Her Into The Best Employee

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Hans Van Grinderbeek 5 years ago

Only in America. I am so glad I live in Belgium. But then again, we pay +50% of our income to taxes. And you now what, I have absolutely no problem with that. You know why? - no college debt for half your life - absence for medical reasons is always coverd (no loss of salary) - on top of that, you have (minimum) 20 days off, your choice when to take them (+ some additional, guaranteed off- days, like when a relative dies or your children are ill) - doctors' and hospital cost wouldn't bankrupt us - one of the best educational systems in the world - if you're fired, we have a strong social security safety net but the most surrealist political system;;; ;D

79points

DrGirlfriend 5 years ago

Hans my good sir.. this is heartbreaking for me .. I don't want to cry you a river of my problems but I'll tell you they run deeper than I ever thought be possible.. I'm ashamed of my country's greed and love of violence.. just yesterday we had another school shooting... I beg, wish dream of living such a life. In America we are Free.. Free to suffer , Free to owe the government 100k $ in debt at twenty years old for school ,, but cannot obtain a home loan for 10,20 or 30k . Our food is full of chemicals there are recalls of meat , fruits and vegetables seemingly monthly.. and the health, medical issues it all causes is too expensive to even get help with.. Hans it almost don't seem real what your saying.. this is my dream to live in Belgium

46points

Load More Replies...

deanna woods 5 years ago

I wish the U.S. would get on board with the rest of the world, but they would rather their citizens struggle than do what is right.

20points

HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago

Yep, England here, we have a share of issues like anyone elsae but like you said, i can be ill and not be bankrupt, get 31 holiday days a year plus an additional 14 days of non-serious sickness pay if i need them, yes we pay tax and i'm happy to pay it so it means we can look after our vulnerable in society and if i ever need help i know it's there.

12points

no_name 5 years ago

Ubelievably high prices for houses and questionable double-standard food aside, thank God I live in Czech Republic and have extremely benevolent employer.

6points

Bee Bee 4 years ago

Even in Poland is similar as in Belgium (although we have our own problems and rather s****y wages). 20-26 holiday days (depends on the years of work, studies count to it), additional days off for funerals, getting married (or when your child is getting married), for taking care of your children or other members of your family, etc. Sick days are paid 80%, unless this is maternity sick leave, then it's 100% plus there is one year of maternity leave after the child is born which you can partially share with the other parent. It is surprising for me how the sick leave can be limited - how you can do that? People can't predict how long and how often they might be sick, it's not logical...here, you can't fire someone who is on a sick leave or maternity leave/pregnant, it's forbidden by law and trying to do it ends in law suit which is for sure won by employee.

5points

Daria B 5 years ago (edited)

"Only in America", huh? The world is bigger than America and Belgium. Greetings from an Italo-Croatian in S. Korea. ♥ (While health care is way better in all these 3 countries compared to the USA, the employment system? Not so much....)

3points

Russian Otaku 5 years ago

It's called being civilized... also the Healthcare is one of many western values usa hates because usa is f*****g stupid

3points

Tammy Allen 4 years ago

Here in Canada we're at about 35-40% and I don't mind cause I've had my fair share of free healthcare. Growing up I never had to worry about putting my parents in debt with my many hospitalizations. As an adult I have never worried about my surgeries or my children getting sick and not being able to get them the healthcare they've needed. I don't understand how a country can deny that a healthy population is a productive happy population.

2points

Caroline Nagel 5 years ago

I'm also born and bred in Belgium (Antwerp - the center of the world!) and I would not for the life of me want to live anywhere else. I have triggerfingers which means every so many years one of my fingers is operated on. I get to choose the day of the operation. Me! The surgeon actually asks me what day suits me best. And after the surgery I get a week sick leave, paid. Yes, I'm all for paying taxes.

2points

Florence Hastings 4 years ago

I live in Denmark and I am soooo glad I escaped the US many years ago. I used to think I would like to live there again, but no more! Here we pay about 50% in taxes but then the cost of medical, and education is covered. And people don’t starve to death (unless they really want to!).

1point

A2Bros 4 years ago

You also have the BEST CHOCOLATE EVER

0points

AlinaAnalina 4 years ago (edited)

✅ Are you se︆︆x giant? ❤❤ i wait you here!! ✅✅Write me!! >> v︆︆.︆︆︆ht/nTYY

-2points

AlinaAnalina 5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

AlinaAnalina 5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

AnalinaBabee18 5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago

LIving in the Netherlands this is totally beyond anything I could imagine. I understand that companies aren't some kind of charitable organisation but ffs what is wrong with treating employees like they are actually human beings? None of this could happen in my country. Sick days? Yes we have them. You can stay sick for up to 730 days before the employer can fire you. Not allowed to attend a funeral? Nope. It's your legal right. Firing someone for being sick or recovering? No, impossible. Ok, we pay taxes but we all get more security and protection in return.

51points

Bunzilla 5 years ago

This is what boggles my mind. Here in North America, we pay taxes. And yet, some citizens (Usually Conservatives and Republicans) seem to think that it's perfectly fine to gut social programs, and only aid the rich, who barely pay any taxes at all. In this day and age, taxes are supposed to be paying for social programs that help everyone.

18points

Load More Replies...

Rissie 5 years ago (edited)

Dutchy here, my manager thought he was in the US and tried to fire me on the spot for not agreeing how I managed my team (I'm more of the loyal to my team to get them happy and working hard kinda person). That backfired very quickly for my employer. It really doesn't work like that, you have to make a case (or both agree of course, that's an option). Even if the law is becoming more lenient towards employers, they still need a very good reason and documentation of it to break open a contract. It's not just about taxes and social security, because you are of course required to do your job in exchange for your pay. It's mostly about making employers to be more loyal and steer away from a fearful workforce.

4points

Amanda Reicha 4 years ago

I rely on disability in the USA because I have active seizures. The income from disability isn't enough to live on. You have to choose do I want my medication or do I want food. Rent for places to live cost almost all of your income. I've talked to people who can't get disability and have to work while they have active seizures and they talk about being fired job after job due to having too many days off work or having seizures makes them unable to do their job and it scares other employees so in turn, creates the ability of other employees to do their job efficiently. Our health system is terrible. I am married so I can have a place to live and I have food, but medication costs, even under Medicare, are outrageous and create debt. This shouldn't happen

3points

AliFab 5 years ago

Wait... you mean treating employees like human beings and being kind and empathetic makes them more productive and willing to do more for your company? NO WAY

24points

Load More Comments

POST

Hans Van Grinderbeek 5 years ago

79points

DrGirlfriend 5 years ago

46points

Load More Replies...

deanna woods 5 years ago

I wish the U.S. would get on board with the rest of the world, but they would rather their citizens struggle than do what is right.

20points

HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago

12points

no_name 5 years ago

Ubelievably high prices for houses and questionable double-standard food aside, thank God I live in Czech Republic and have extremely benevolent employer.

6points

Bee Bee 4 years ago

5points

Daria B 5 years ago (edited)

3points

Russian Otaku 5 years ago

It's called being civilized... also the Healthcare is one of many western values usa hates because usa is f*****g stupid

3points

Tammy Allen 4 years ago

2points

Caroline Nagel 5 years ago

2points

Florence Hastings 4 years ago

1point

A2Bros 4 years ago

You also have the BEST CHOCOLATE EVER

0points

AlinaAnalina 4 years ago (edited)

✅ Are you se︆︆x giant? ❤❤ i wait you here!! ✅✅Write me!! >> v︆︆.︆︆︆ht/nTYY

-2points

AlinaAnalina 5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

AlinaAnalina 5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

AnalinaBabee18 5 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago

51points

Bunzilla 5 years ago

18points

Load More Replies...

Rissie 5 years ago (edited)

4points

Amanda Reicha 4 years ago

3points

AliFab 5 years ago

Wait... you mean treating employees like human beings and being kind and empathetic makes them more productive and willing to do more for your company? NO WAY

24points

Load More Comments