The "Oh, Heck" Moment, Part 2

Here's part 2 of piece from Money magazine that gives advice on what to do during potential awkward moments in your work career. Today they give advice on what to do if your boss catches you at an awkward moment:

Moment: Shopping online

Solution: Say you needed a five-minute head clearer. That's kind of legit. He might not believe you, but most bosses aren't likely to go ballistic on a first offense.

Moment: Boss asks you who's responsible for a mistake and you know who it is. Do you rat out a colleague?

Solution: Say you don't know but you'll find out. Then tell the culprit that the boss is onto him and suggest that he come forward. Point out that you're in an awkward position because you know the boss is going to press you.

Moment: You fax your résumé to a prospective employer from work and your boss finds it.

Solution: Seize the moment. Once you get over the initial stammering and hot flashes, level with your boss. If you're unhappy with your job, say so. Tell him what is so unsatisfactory about your current gig that you went looking for something better.

Oh, yeah, we've all been here, haven't we? ;-)

I've never had a problem with the first -- being caught shopping online, that is. I have been "caught" playing chess online, but it's always been during lunch (which I usually eat at work). Does this count? I felt bad about it, but not too bad. It was my lunch after all.

The second situation, we've all been in. I think they give some good advice here. I've reacted all across the board -- from saying "I don't know" to telling the boss who it was. It really depends on the situation -- what happened, who did it, how bad it was, etc.

On the resume issue, I can't remember if I've ever faxed my resume from work, but I have printed it off a printer (usually on a weekend). And don't you know it, that's the day that EVERYONE decides to work on the weekend. I've had a few frantic races to the printer to make sure the resumes were printed (and my upscale paper was removed). ;-)

How about you? Any of these strike home with you?