my boss has been asking me about our new co-worker

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

and I think he's rubbish, but I am fairly sure if I say so his trial will end prematurely and he won't be taken on, I know the other co-worker feels the same as me about him. Thing is he's a decent guy, just seems disinterested in the job, it's a record store and he doesn't bother to get to know any of the stock, aswell as permanently fucking around on the decks with vinyl, which obviously we don't tend to sell to passing customers like we would with good CDs.

I was in work on Monday and it got so frustrating having him doing nothing as our sales did shit that I felt like saying something. That said I'm not the boss so it puts me in an awkward situation, this constant annoyance when he starts reading a magazine behind the counter, or casually ignores a customer, or when I hear from my friends that they ask to listen to some electro vinyl and get a load of totally different records cos he's not bothered to listen to stuff as it comes in.

Is it ok to just give the full lowdown on the guy? I know people personally who applied for the job who'd kill to be working there and would work way harder. It may be a nice job in a record store and all but fuck it that's all the more reason why it's easy to work hard.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:07 (twenty-one years ago)

he sounds more trouble than it's worth effectively lying to your boss. shop the dude.

back at noomeeja company i used to work for my boss once asked me if i thought he should get rid of a fellow designer he didn't think was good enough. this boss had already pout me through 2 or 3 months of hell because he thought i was shit so i wasn't about to suggest he'd be right to get rid of the other guy, who wasn't that bad anyway. i don't think it's very fair when bosses put you in that position (tho it's somewhat different in your case), unprofessional even.

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:12 (twenty-one years ago)

i was pouting as i typed that

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd tell him the truth. The only slight reservation I have is - has anyone said anything to him before now to give the chance to change?

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, tell the boss. If the boss is asking you, he already has a clue this guy sucks.

― n/a (Nick A.), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

My sympathies. I'm in exactly the same situation. The new person's useless. On the one hand, she makes my job immeasurably harder. On the other, I've always felt it's Them and Us, and Us (erm, We) should stick together. I'm relying on my other colleagues to say something and/or the boss to notice. If asked directly, I'll say something like "well it's early days and she needs a lot of handholding and chances are she'll grow into the role".

― beanz (beanz), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

So tell your boss the truth. I don't understand the dilemma - sell him out! You don't owe him anything and if you don't you'll be stuck with him. If he's this lazy now imagine how bad he'll be once he settles in.

Just don't go overboard on trashing the guy to your boss - it might seem like you're doing it just so one of your friends can get the position.

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh god, this sounds uncannily like the dilemma I've just posted.

I'm trying to think of a way to be honest without being brutal. But I think honesty is just better in this sort of situation.

― Kissing Time At The Pleasure Unit (kate), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

In fairness my boss has not made it anything like a discussion of the guy's future, we were chatting about it last night and he left a message on my phone today to say he wants to discuss it. In a way perhaps I feel bad because of the fact that since I am good friends with the manager such a discussion is possible. it's hard to overcome that feeling that it'd be snitchy or whatever.

x-post Dr C yes he's already been told to shape up a bit. after the first week I think. and beanz otm there's NOTHING worse than feeling like incompetence from a co-worker is leaving you at a disadvantage, or hindering your progress, if you start fucking stuff up for each other it's lunacy.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah to be honest I don't think any of my friends are qualified enough, I just know in simple enthusiasm they put this guy to shame, as would most applicants. it's a pisser for my boss too cos obviously if he has to let this guy go then his decision to appoint him looks bad.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Bosses are bosses for a reason. Tell your boss it's his call and if he's going to employ people for "trial periods" he really should monitor their performance himself.

If your boss had the first clue about management he wouldn't be putting you this position.

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:22 (twenty-one years ago)

If you think he is an ok guy perhaps its not woth shopping the guy explicitly. Instead when your boss raises it again, i strategic "no comment" and a knowing smile will do the job just as effectively. Or just dam with faint praise, wax lyrical about his skills on the technics and nothing else, el capitain will quickly get the message.
onimo otm about this being your bosses job

― lukey (Lukey G), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Well it's a trial period only in the sense that when you start any job it's a sort of trial period, I'm not sure the word was used.

btw my boss hasn't said "should we keep x" or whatever, he just wants to know what the guy's been up to. I think he has been monitoring his performance but he's hardly going to read the paper behind the counter when the boss is working with him is he?

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't see the problem with his boss getting a consensus.
xpost

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Tell your boss the truth - but just stick to facts and avoid gossip or feelings. Also try to say some good things about the guy, if there are any. Not like you get a bonus either way, right?

― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

x-post I think you're both being a bit harsh on the boss. Bosses often don't get to know employees as well as their peers, and I'll often ask how people think so and so is settling in, etc.

I think you're boss has probably got vibes from all the staff that they're not happy with the new guy, but unless someone says anything to him, he's a bit in the dark. I wouldn't hesitate to tell him the truth, just the basics, and not in a negative way, but in a 'well, if he did this and this and this, it would be much better for us all' kind of way.

― Vicky (Vicky), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I think talking to the coworker about your problems is a better idea than telling the boss. I'd rather be told people weren't happy and be given the chance to improve than get sacked.

― Kevin Gilchrist (Mr Fusion), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Onimo, you've got a good point but maybe the boss is trying to be a good manager by taking into account the views of other employees too.

Ronan I think the key thing might be to alert the boss to the problems diplomatically and in non-whiny way, making it clear that it's his decision to make. Most bosses know that a trial period is there for a reason, and will take advantage of the opportunity to fix the problem (i.e. sack the guy) before it's too late. Chances are he's planning to do this already, as he wants to discuss it with you.

oh xpost. everyone else otm

― beanz (beanz), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I think he was told already, I'm not really sure since it's not my business whatever conversation went on. I suspect he was already told to change a few habits.

I don't think there's any way I could talk to the co-worker myself without sounding snobby or patronising or as if I was trying to assert authority. I just don't know him well enough and it'd be like I was creating a power structure which shouldn't exist really.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 22 October 2004 14:35 (twenty-one years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.