Hongkongers complain their bosses are treating them ‘like maids’

The willingness to go the extra mile is a quality admired in all walks of life. When the boss gives you a task, the right thing to do is try hard to achieve excellence and never question whether the job falls within the position description.

However, when it comes to going the extra mile at work, how far is too far? Is helping the boss do his homework or walking his dog really a great way to show you’re a high flyer?

A post shared on Heawork revealed the worst errands employees have been assigned to run for the boss.

Making employees run personal errands

1. The boss forgot his wallet and requested employees to bring it to him after he had left the office for lunch.

2. Get employees to deliver lunch.

3. Get employees to post personal mail.

Make all employees their personal assistant

1. Get employees to book a table at restaurants regardless of whether it is a personal or work-related occasion.

2. Get employees to help out with their children’s school assignments

The final two complaints are directed at expatriate bosses, but they have nothing to do with cultural difference. Rather it is because expatriates tend to go on long trips back home. So when they are away, some bosses have requested employees to go to their home to feed the fish or to walk their dogs. There are also bosses who asked employees to fix their broken electrical appliances.

Personally, I have heard stories about a senior staff member in the police force getting his subordinates to write academic papers for him on for the master’s programme he is taking. Believe it or not, the subordinates were thrilled with the opportunity because they saw it as a chance to get ahead. Talk about a shoe-shining culture…

Please share with us on social media cases of how your boss has mixed business with personal matters.

This article was first published in Human Resources and is reproduced with permission. Original article can be found at http://www.humanresourcesonline.net/hongkongers-complain-their-bosses-are-treating-them-like-maids/