Avoiding a ?hands-on? manager (2)

Yesterday we read about a woman who is being harassed by a top company executive. Today, we?ll read some advice from Munthana Thamlikitkul, CEO and managing director at Tricor Outsourcing (Thailand) and Tricor Executive Recruitment.

Before you begin, make sure you have read Uma's letter to Munthana. You can find it here:

Career Clinic

By Munthana Thamlikitkul

Click button to listen to Harassed 2 and rightclick to download

Dear Khun Uma:

I sympathise with your dilemma. Indeed, there is no one answer to fit all situations. If you can't afford to lose your job, I understand your predicament.

In the first place I think you should send your profile to recruitment and head-hunting companies. This is a precautionary measure and the information will be kept confidential. You can be sure no one will be aware that you might be thinking of making a move.

How to behave so as to avoid sexual harassment from Mr Philander? Try not to be alone with him. Whenever possible try to stay among your peers so that he has no chance to manipulate you. Keep yourself busy and be sure you are not alone in the office.

Regarding the dinner invitation, don't worry because if you are never alone he won't have the chance to ask for your answer. If he does though, just say no –  tell him you have to get home to your daughter in the evenings and that you don't think dinner with him would be appropriate.

Ask yourself whether you are happy working in a company where you have to watch your back all the time. Worst of all, you have no one offering a shoulder to lean on. In your case I wouldn't worry about jeopardising your current job and I would start looking for a new one.

Take annual leave if you need to go to an interview appointment, or arrange appointments after work hours or during the lunch hour. In my experience, there are many job openings in the secretarial field, far more than many other positions in fact. So don't be afraid of working in a new environment.

People always welcome new joiners with a polite and friendly outlook. I don't see you jeopardise anything. While working at this company, try to expand experience in administration or general affairs functions. Ask your HR manager for the opportunity to work in these areas, which will strengthen your experience and work exposure.

I am not sure if you have ever thought about utilising your cooking talents but remember that many highly regarded chefs and food entrepreneurs started out by cooking or baking for friends, family and neighbours; they then expanded to franchise their recipes worldwide. Why not try something similar? Pick the dish you are best at and develop it.

One more thing, I am assuming from what you wrote that your husband was a Westerner (German)? If so, why not apply to the embassy of his nationality for help? They may be able to offer you a position or recommend companies for you to apply to. I truly believe that if you have the determination to succeed you can make it and live up to your potential.

Good luck!
Munthana

Munthana Thamlikitkul is CEO and managing director at Tricor Outsourcing (Thailand) and Tricor Executive Recruitment.

sympathise with – to approve of and support someone or something เห็นอกเห็นใจ
dilemma – a situation which makes problems, often one in which you have to make a very difficult choice between things of equal importance สภาวะหนีเสือปะจรเข้,สภาวะที่กลืนไม่เข้าคายไม่ออก,สถานการณ์ที่ลำบาก
predicament – a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially one where it is difficult to know what to do สภาพกลืนไม่เข้าคายไม่ออก
profile – a description of somebody/something that gives useful information  ประวัติโดยย่อ
recruitment – the process of finding people to work for a company or become a new member of an organisation การสรรหาใหม่
head-hunging – trying to find someone to work in a company or join an organisation   การจัดหาเจ้าหน้าที่หรือบุคคลากร
precautionary measure – an action taking to prevent something bad from happening มาตราการป้องกันล่วงหน้า
confidential – secret, often in a formal, business or military situation ที่เป็นความลับ
aware – knowing that something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing ทราบ
harassment – annoying or worrying somebody by putting pressure on them or saying or doing unpleasant things to them การคุกคาม(ทางเพศ) sexual harassment
philander – to be sexually unfaithful to one's wife จีบผู้หญิง (อย่างจริงจัง), ทำเจ้าชู้
peers - people who are the same age or have the same social position or the same abilities as other people in a group เพื่อน
manipulate – to control something or someone to your advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly จัดการเพื่อหวังผลอย่างใดอย่างหนึ่ง
appropriate – suitable or right for a particular situation or purpose  ที่เหมาะสม
watch your back – to be very careful because people may want to harm you
shoulder to lean on – help or support from someone
jeopardise – to risk damaging or destroying something important  เป็นอันตรายต่อ,เป็นภัยต่อ,ทำร่าย,ทำอันตราย
current – of the present time ปัจจุบัน
annual leave – time off from work that a company or organisation allows you to take ลาประจำปี
environment – the place in which people live and work, including all the physical conditions that affect them สภาพแวดล้อม, สิ่งแวดล้อม
outlook – an idea about what a situation will be like in the future  อนาคตที่คาดหวังไว้,  ทัศนคติ
administration – the people who plan, organize and run a business, an institution, etc ฝ่ายบริหาร
affairs – political, social, and economic events that are happening now กรณียกิจ, กิจธุระ, การเมือง
function – job or particular responsibility หน้าที่, บทบาท
exposure – experience with or information about something  ประสบการณ์
utilise – to use something, especially for a practical purpose ทำให้เป็นประโยชน์
talent – a natural ability to be good at something, especially without being taught ความสามารถพิเศษ
entrepreneur – someone who starts their own business, especially when this involves risks นักลงทุนทางการเงิน
expand – to make or become larger ขยาย
franchise – a formal agreement for someone to sell a company’s products or services in a particular place การขายระบบแฟรนไชนส์ คือมีสาขาของร้านค้า เช่น 7-eleven
recipe – a set of instructions for cooking or preparing a particular food วิธีปรุง, ตำรากับข้าว
similar – like somebody/something but not exactly the same คล้ายกัน
assume – to accept something to be true without question or proof ทึกทักเอา, คิดว่าเป็นจริง,
embassy – a group of officials who represent their government in a foreign country สถานทูต
nationality – a group of people who have the same race, language, or culture สัญชาติ
recommend – to advise someone that they should do something  แนะนำ
determination – the quality that makes you continue trying to do something even when this is difficult   ความตั้งใจ, ความมุ่งมั่น, ความตั้งใจมั่น
potential – qualities that exist and can be developed ศักยภาพที่จะพัฒนาได้