Think of yourself at work, you have three deadlines to meet by the end of the day and someone gives you another task to finish by noon. How do you respond?

Georgina Tate writing in a supplementary article for the Times newspaper reports on the work of assertiveness specialist Janice Butterworth, of the Industrial Society.

Whilst unnecessarily focusing purely on secretarial staff, the article briefly examines the pressures that all workers feel when they are expected to do several jobs at the same time. Those pressures lead to a variety of different responses to requests for extra work to be done, and those responses are examined.

The aim of assertiveness is to create an outcome where everybody wins - and keeps their dignity! It relies on self-respect, respect for others and honest but purposeful communication.

The article goes on to examine the benefits of the Industrial Society's two-day course in assertiveness.