When you wish upon a manager: Employees' holiday wish list

By Elaine Varelas

‘Tis the season of snowmen, sleigh rides, shopping, and of course, holiday wishes. Despite the wobbly economy, children everywhere are snuggled up in their beds with visions of iPods, cell phones, Hannah Montana gear, and Nintendo Wii gaming systems dancing in their heads.

This time of year, adults have wishes too (and it isn’t just to win the lottery so they have enough cash to pay for their kids’ desires). They also have wishes about their jobs. While children draft a wish list and send it off to a jolly elf in the North Pole, working folk can send their wishes to The Hire Authority right here in Boston.

Here is a sampling of some of the most common wishes we’ve received from readers — wishes employees wouldn’t dream of sharing with their co-workers, but that they secretly hope their managers and colleagues would read (and heed)!

• I wish for job security. But barring a written guarantee that my job will be here come the New Year ...
• I wish my manager didn’t feel it was necessary to remind me and my co-workers how lucky we are to even have a job right now (Yes, we’re catching that not-so-subtle threat). We know we’re fortunate to have jobs.
• And speaking of our good fortune, in this season of giving, I wish I was able to give back to those less fortunate in our community. If the organization is serious about its charitable giving program, grant us employees time during the workday to volunteer.
• I wish that my manager would volunteer to deal with that difficult co-worker so that I don’t have to. I am worn-out from trying to work around his moods and deal with his awful communication style (is mean even considered a style?).
• I wish that my manager, for just this once, could give me feedback that is all good. Tell me what I am doing that you really like, and don't go into any of the negatives. There is always time for that in another meeting.
• I’m ok with having a scaled-down version of a holiday party this year, especially in light of the economy. But I still wish that everyone would just behave themselves — no slurred speech, grabby hands, or dirty dancing on tables!
• I wish people would no longer floss, clip their nails, or conduct any other bodily activity (humming and singing apply here too!) in a cube thinking the rest of us don't mind (or hear).
• I wish that I didn’t have to exchange gifts with co-workers. I have a hard enough time picking out (and paying for) presents for my friends and family. It would be nice to just go out for lunch and spend some time with each other instead.
• I wish my manager realized that my bonus, while appreciated in this economy, is most likely going toward groceries and not a cruise around the Greek Islands, so stop making me feel like you’ve just handed me a fortune. I am reminded of the phrase that stares back at me during my morning commute, “Objects in mirror (or my checkbook) may be smaller than they appear!”
• I wish businesses still believed in snow days. But if we can’t have a snow day, could the flurries just wait until after rush hour? (What? Managers don’t control the weather?)
• I wish that instead of a gift, my manager would give me a few hours off during a workday to see my kid’s holiday concert, or finish (or maybe start) my shopping. The gift of time is more valuable than any pen or pair of gloves.

There is something about the holidays that allows people to believe that anything is possible. While managers may not be able to deliver people’s whopper wishes, like peace on earth and a skyrocketing Dow Jones index, in this season of hope and promise they can try to carry out some of these common employee requests. In doing so, managers can at least strive for peace in the office and hopefully can ensure that the organization has some very merry employees and a happy work year.

Elaine Varelas is Managing Partner of Business Development at Keystone Partners, a career management firm headquartered in Boston, and has over 20 years of career development and HR experience. She also serves on the board of directors for Career Partners International, the world's largest career management partnership. E-mail her at .