I had been working at the organization for about $2$ years as a research associate when my boss, the executive director,

needed to take a $3-$month maternity leave. I was promoted to acting associate director during her absence$.$ I was

younger and had less seniority than most of the other people at the organization. I was now their direct supervisor. I

was worried that they would not respect me$.$ I also really wanted to do a good job so I could keep my new title $($and

salary$)$ after my boss returned.

Shortly after taking over, I heard that Tom $($my boss$$s boss$)$ had come by at $8$:$30$ one morning and found no one in the

office. Sarah $($the receptionist$),$ Donna $($the office manager$)$ and Mary $($an administrator$),$ were all supposed to be in by

$8$:$00.$ The rest of the staff, most of whom were male, arrived at $9$:$00.$ About a week later, I came in at $8$:$20$ and found

no one in the office. I had no messages on my voice mail explaining the situation. At $8$:$45,$ Donna and Mary walked in

laughing together about something. I confronted them.

What I was thinking$/$feeling What was said

This is totally ridiculous, almost an hour late and

laughing together like it was any other day! My ass is on

the line here.

Right! How convenient that they both have delays and

arrive at the same time. I bet they were over at the cafe

chatting and lost track of time.

Why didn$$t any one call me to say they would be late. If

my boss was still here, they would have.

This is crazy, everyone is coming in whenever they want

and I$$m the last to know.

This would never happen if my boss were here. I am

losing control of this place. I have to get things together

here. I knew they didn$$t respect me$.$

I have to lay down the law on this. Up until now I have

been too much of a softy.

I knew they didn$$t respect me$.$

Pacey: Where have you guys been? It$$s $8$:$45.$ You are

supposed to be here at $8$:$00.$

Donna $($surprised$)$: Joseph$$s car broke down on the way

here...

Mary $($annoyed$)$:$...$The train was running late.

Pacey: Well where is Sarah? I$$ve been here since a

little after $8$:$00$ and you are the first to arrive!

Donna: She called my and said she would be an hour

late this morning...

Pacey: People need to call me when they will be late.

Donna: I$$m the office manager and people have always

called me about being late. I take care of it$.$ I was going

to cover the front desk this morning myself but then the

car broke down.

Pacey: It$$s almost an hour after we are supposed to be

open and no one is here and no one called me$.$ The

office opens at $8$:$00$ and someone has to be here. I don$$t

care who it is$.$ If there is a problem, someone needs to

call me so I know what$$s going on$.$

Mary: Joe $($the Tech support guy$)$ always comes in late

and its no big deal.

$($Both of them walk away $--$ obviously pissed off.$)$