Work and Money
If my supervisor has apologized to a customer for me, do I still need to apologize?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
If you made the mistake, a supervisor stepping in cannot replace your own apology. Willingness to express regret yourself lets the other person know that you understand the trouble you caused.
We discussed a news report about a service error. The supervisor bowed, apologized, and arranged for someone to help clean the customer up. According to the report, however, the staff member involved never spoke. What concerned people was not merely the spill, but whether the person regarded it as a responsibility they themselves needed to face.
A supervisor’s help in handling the matter is important, but you also need to share the responsibility. Having someone speak on your behalf does not make it nothing to do with you. Even if you feel nervous or embarrassed, you can practice expressing an apology. Whether the other person gives you another chance is their choice. First do properly what you ought to do.