Apparently I am difficult to work for

[squirrel dog]

just make good and damn sure those tip reports are on time , uummkaayy , Thanks ..

 

[rh71]

There are all kinds of employee horror stories from employers. You have to wonder what makes a person so professionally incompetent.

Of course temps are the worst.

 

[Squeetard]

Its funny I can do it close to instantly for almost any situation.

Squeetard thanks for the feedback, I admire your forum name.
Your response was kind of short of specifics without explaining what you enjoyed about it can sound like sarcasm which originally meant cutting of flesh. Do you like to feel that way?
I'm sure you'll read this and you are well spoken I look forward to what you specifically say about the "shit sandwich" coaching. Detailed answers usually require more than three words again I look forward to your thoughts.

A great management technique. And the name cracks me up because that's exactly what it is. A shit sandwich. Give someone shit but nestle it between 2 compliments. And your example was spot on. Especially the outro. No sarcasm here at all. Going to use this in the future.

Edit: OH SHIT! I see what you did there! LOLololollol. You got me. 5 stars.

 

[Squeetard]

There are all kinds of employee horror stories from employers. You have to wonder what makes a person so professionally incompetent.

Of course temps are the worst.

Some people are just plain unemployable. A guy I used to play in a band with would not last 2 weeks at a regular job. His attitude was "nobody tells me what to do". I'm like "dude, they pay you to do what they tell you to do, that's how it works". Guy is now nearing 60 without a penny to his name.

 

[OutHouse]

A great management technique. And the name cracks me up because that's exactly what it is. A shit sandwich. Give someone shit but nestle it between 2 compliments. And your example was spot on. Especially the outro. No sarcasm here at all. Going to use this in the future.

Edit: OH SHIT! I see what you did there! LOLololollol. You got me. 5 stars.

its not a management technique its a gimmick.

 

[Squeetard]

Well, it got me, so ima use it.

 

[K7SN]

I do not like to manage, especially with people my age (peers) or people older than myself (if they require much supervision which many don't and since I'll be 69 in a few weeks I don't have that problem any more). I don't know your qualifications but if it is a software projects; you should be more versed (skilled) than your temporary employee? Also perhaps following this discussion of Millennial and Gen X I may not be qualified to advise (And I'll Google those phrases and find out what da heck they are after this post).

OP you posted your whine - I try to give you some insight but you may not like it.

If the office is set up to work 8 to 5 with an hour for lunch and the require break then being on time is a given. Your rule of don't make a habit of being late for things a bigger problem like missing necessary deadline and that is either your supervision or the employees lake of experience (mentor) talent (your problem), skill(your problem) or motivation which you need to provide as a manager.

Do your work correctly also means he has to be competent enough to do his work correctly

If you agree to certain expectations - meet them also means that he is responsible enough (and competent enough) to fulfill those deadlines and all that goes with it.

Don't make me babysit your workday also means that if the person is just not proficient enough you have mentor; never babysit, it is counter productive.

Don't whine - children whine adults bellyache, complain or gripe (An immature adult that whines should be terminated with prejudice). The difference is subtle enough that some inexperienced managers nay not recognize it. To say this deadline is brutal is just a way to express oneself and bellyaching is normal and acceptable. Asking you once why do we have to adhere to this deadline is not whining and deserves a frank and truthful answer like that is what we committed to back when we took this contract. Asking the question again a week later is not whining it is saying the problem still is getting worse and politely implies you are not doing your job. Coming to you and saying we may not be able to meet the deadline as your other employees may if this weak link is putting you off schedule is really saying you as a manager you really need to do something (besides whining on this forum).

The few times I've been stuck in a management role I have led by example.'

Don't make a habit of being late for things. If work begins at 8:00 I show up before anyone else. If I had a subordinate who also shows up at 7:45, I show up at 7:30. I tried to always be the last to leave. If we have an all hands type meeting I arrive at least five minutes and am prepared. Be punctual in all that you do to set an example.

Do your work correctly. Some people follow what we used to call the peter principle they rise until they reach a position they can't handle. This may well be this person but if so; it is your problem now. I found a way to work around that and still get the job done.

If you agree to certain expectations - meet them. If they can't handle that requirement; it is your problem now. I encountered that and still got the job done often without ruffling anyone's feathers.

Don't make me babysit your workday - you don't babysit you supervise and if needed help, mentor or assist but never babysit. If you think you have to babysit; the problem may be you. Fortunately I've never had to supervise anyone I had not mastered the task they were trying to do. I would mentor and show them the tricks I had learned and usually got great results; then again I would never take a job I couldn't replace, demote, return to a place they were competent or terminate. I may not have had the direct power but I wouldn't take a managerial task if they wasn't an agreement with higher supervisor who had the power replace, demote, return to a place they were competent or terminate, Usually a high muck-e-up who was displeased because other supervisors weren't getting the job done and since I had duties and was getting my job done I was asked, not tell, see if I could solve a problem. I would say I will assuming if I have a problem (Like you do now) you'll take my judgment and take the necessary actions on my recommendation.

Don't whine. Complaining isn't whine; adults don't whine so either get thicker skin or realize the problem is probably your attitude. If your personnel complain fix the problem or explain why you can't. It usually took me about three days to solve most complaints after I was thrust into a managerial position. I say adults don't whine; you may be an exception to the rule.

If it is your problem now you have your job cut out for you. You say you can't terminate or demote this person out of your working group so you may have to do his work because completing on time is your responsibility and your job.

Since you don't have the power to replace him you can continue being a jerk and ride this guy for not making his deadline and not adhering to your set of rules and maybe you will get him to quit or maybe your superiors have the power to replace him will solve the problems; which could be replacing him with another and moving him back to the job he was doing. The problem with that is you attract attention and you better be accomplishing the ret of your job or solving the problem may be as simple as replacing you.

You have three ways of doing your job: You can supervise and get the job done, be a BOSS (spelled backwards is double S O B) an get the job done for a little while. or be an office controlled by the sphincter muscle until you fail as it appears you're setting yourself up to do.

 

[werepossum]

Everyone is hard to work for. This is why employees don't show up if you don't pay them.

 

[angminas]

As much as it makes me gag to say it, for a large percentage of younger people in the USA, their incompetence is to a significant degree not their fault. Many of them have been babied their whole lives and honestly do not understand what real work is (or what being broke is). For people who've been raised to be whiny bitches who can run to Mommy or Daddy whenever something goes wrong, doing basic job stuff actually is difficult and confusing. They should have been taught such basic things when they were kids, but they weren't, and that's not their fault. That's why we have the phrase "rude awakening"- the realities of how difficult adult life can be are actually shocking and disheartening.

It does no good to look down on these people. It won't make anything better. Teaching them to be adults is like physical therapy...it's a slow process, and you have to celebrate small successes. Remember, for them, they're large successes.

 

[TeeJay1952]

Retired now but never had a problem with tough boss. Knew what they wanted, did that and life is good. Weak boss on the other hand can never be counted on to hold a position. It is like juggling water try to find what they want.

 

[Chess]

Or at least that is what one person who is temporarily working for me said. But maybe thats because I am holding him to the expectations set when this project started. Really I think I am pretty easy to work for if you do the 5 following things:
Don't make a habit of being late for things
Do your work correctly
If you agree to certain expectations - meet them
Don't make me babysit your workday
Don't whine

There will always be circumstances where you can't always meet one or more of those but those should be the exception not the general rule. No one else seems to have an issue doing those but maybe he's right and expecting those 5 things make me difficult to work for

I have the same issue except he is permanent lol

 

[Eug]

Assuming you are working with a millennial you need to give feedback in the "shit sandwich" format but don't ever let them hear you call it a shit sandwich.
Example:

You did real great with this mornings call. I admire your passion. (tasty bread portion)
You were late and I had to delay the call, the others on the call fear they'll have to work late (the shit but again use feelings and impact facts)
Your idea on the call sounded great work out more specifics for next week. Do you see why its important to be on time so we all have time for ideas? (nice yummy bread portion)

-then a brief action plan.

Its irritating as hell

This is great. I do this all the time, but didn't know that it was called a "shit sandwich". Doesn't apply to millennials though. Applies to everyone.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

But I can't get rid of him because he isn't my employee

Then why do you have to manage his time? I'd go straight to their actual supervisor and get them the hell out of my sight.

 

[Regs]

My general rule of thumb is if they start making you look bad you start taking action. This includes times when you have to work harder so he would not make you look bad. There are different jobs with different job functions and the realities and circumstances vary.

 

[Printer Bandit]

 

[Ketchup]

Absolutely. The dude obviously needs a promotion,

 

[spacejamz]

Absolutely. The dude obviously needs a promotion,

or to have the 'glitch' fixed....

 

[K7SN]

Retired now but never had a problem with tough boss. Knew what they wanted, did that and life is good. Weak boss on the other hand can never be counted on to hold a position. It is like juggling water try to find what they want.

Almost retired and old enough to retire and then some but I agree; never had a problem with a boss.

'Juggling water', like that expression. They don't tell you what is needed and then lament when it doesn't get done. how can I keep the customer happy if boss would communicate; being a government contractor, I've found leaders like that will get circumvented and the client will soon come directly to me.