Problem with a friend

There has been some new policies at my workplace. No big deal really. Mainly to require people not to come in late in the morning, putting in certain hours of work daily, etc. I’m not responsible for personnel management, but one of the people in my group (who is my best friend) has had a very bad attendance record, having been a persistent late comer. I was asked to speak to her to tell her that bigwig is not happy with her late records and that she should improve. Ever since I did, she has not spoken to me nicely and she has acted aloof towards me. This has saddened me. I feel that I’ve lost a friend. Sometimes I even feel stupid. We’re both expats and we come from the same place and I’ve treated her like family. I’m in a more senior position than she is but I’ve always treated her as an equal and always supported her work. Now we just nod whenever we meet and our conversation is confined to work. Have I done wrong? Feeling very frustrated.

Well, did she improve after you talked with her? If she did, then you did the right thing for the company and for her, so you should be please and not feel stupid, and if she keeps up with the improvement, then you can seek opportunity to "pad her in the back" and tell her that bigwig is pleased with the progress.....etc. If this still bothers you, you can also chat with the person who asked you to speak to her, may be this person should share some responsibilities. Cheers up, you both still have a job!

there is obviously tension between the two of you and it needs to be cleared. ask her out for drinks and have a good chit-chat. in my book you have done no wrong and she clearly isn't able to see the big picture. call her immature or what you will but don't go with the atiitude of puting her in her place but rather go with the intention of winning her back as your good friend if she means that much to you.

You might regard her as a good friend, is she regarding you as one?

That's the question you have to find out first or you might be just wasting your time.

Sounds cruel but...... you know what I mean.