Why I hate the Melbourne Cup

Dear Aunty B,

Half my staff have turned up to work this morning with a bad hangover and are stumbling around doing bugger all. One young lass has her foot up because she twisted her ankle and another hasn’t turned up at all because he has “gastro”. Some of them nicked off early on Monday and last Friday so it has been a slack five days! Meanwhile, I of course worked all the way through the Cup and even forgot to watch it!

This is a very busy time of year, especially this year as we try and recover from the GFC! How can I get them refocused in a hurry short of throwing them all in an icy tub of water?

Hate the Cup,
Vic

Dear Hate the Cup,

It’s always the way though, isn’t it? You slog away while every one else parties. Here is what you must do next year. A week before the Cup, send out an email reminding them all it is one day of holidays – not three. Tell them if they want to take Monday or Friday off they are welcome to put in leave forms.

Then tell them that a regular meeting has been rescheduled to 8.30 Wednesday morning and get someone to do a coffee run. Make sure though you have a bit of fun around the Cup such as an office sweep or funny hat day.

Good staff know how to have fun and stay focused.

Good luck!

Your Aunty B