Ok we have this employee, who, for lack of a better phrase, needs to be canned. Soon.
He is utterly incapable of doing his job to any modicum of satisfaction (general officework, aka "secretary").
It makes me sad that he claims to be "very intelligent" yet is unable to complete even the simplest of tasks we assign to him. We're afraid to leave him alone with any work because we know he'll likely botch it up.
He claims to have an engineering background (if CC courses in engineering really count for anything), so perhaps his problem is the "all book smarts, no street smarts" malady that a lot of engineers have, in other words, absolutely ZERO common sense.
Our problem is this. If we fire him, he files for unemployment that we have to pay for. If he resigns, we're in the clear. He seems to be oblivious to the fact that he is a huge liability to our business despite our repeated warnings not to screw things up.
Starting next monday, I aim to suggest that he resign or straight out can him. Anyone have suggestions? I was thinking that I'd appeal to his "higher intellect" and suggest that if he finds a more challenging position that we'll write him a letter of recommendation. That way he's out of our hair, and no one's feelings get hurt.
*EDIT*
Ok, you asked for it.
RANTS:
- Can not type even a simple memo correctly. Ex: Typed a business letter using horrible formatting, unprofessional tone ("Hey, how are you today? I hope this letter finds you in the best of moods!") and typed in ALL CAPS. Signed, *his name*!! Letters from us to clients should NEVER be "from" the secretary. :|
- Can't follow simple instructions to forward / unforward phone service. On line 1: 72*## followed by the number, xxx-xxxx. He gets it wrong every time.
- Can't understand anyone on the phone. Has to ask for names at least 5-10 times FOR EACH CALL. I sit there and listen to him ask that EVERYONE spell their name out letter by letter even if they're one of our contacts who calls several times a day.
- No concept of tact. He keeps striking up conversations with me when one of us is on the phone or in the middle of something.
- Answers phone unprofessionally. Uses way too casual of a tone with important clients. Can't remember names or proper etiquette.
- Makes catastrophic errors. Like mailing Client #1's letter to Client #2 and vice versa. He does this at least 3 times a week.
- Makes mistakes or forgets tasks then denies that they ever existed.
ETC.
He is utterly incapable of doing his job to any modicum of satisfaction (general officework, aka "secretary").
It makes me sad that he claims to be "very intelligent" yet is unable to complete even the simplest of tasks we assign to him. We're afraid to leave him alone with any work because we know he'll likely botch it up.
He claims to have an engineering background (if CC courses in engineering really count for anything), so perhaps his problem is the "all book smarts, no street smarts" malady that a lot of engineers have, in other words, absolutely ZERO common sense.
Our problem is this. If we fire him, he files for unemployment that we have to pay for. If he resigns, we're in the clear. He seems to be oblivious to the fact that he is a huge liability to our business despite our repeated warnings not to screw things up.
Starting next monday, I aim to suggest that he resign or straight out can him. Anyone have suggestions? I was thinking that I'd appeal to his "higher intellect" and suggest that if he finds a more challenging position that we'll write him a letter of recommendation. That way he's out of our hair, and no one's feelings get hurt.
*EDIT*
Ok, you asked for it.
RANTS:
- Can not type even a simple memo correctly. Ex: Typed a business letter using horrible formatting, unprofessional tone ("Hey, how are you today? I hope this letter finds you in the best of moods!") and typed in ALL CAPS. Signed, *his name*!! Letters from us to clients should NEVER be "from" the secretary. :|
- Can't follow simple instructions to forward / unforward phone service. On line 1: 72*## followed by the number, xxx-xxxx. He gets it wrong every time.
- Can't understand anyone on the phone. Has to ask for names at least 5-10 times FOR EACH CALL. I sit there and listen to him ask that EVERYONE spell their name out letter by letter even if they're one of our contacts who calls several times a day.
- No concept of tact. He keeps striking up conversations with me when one of us is on the phone or in the middle of something.
- Answers phone unprofessionally. Uses way too casual of a tone with important clients. Can't remember names or proper etiquette.
- Makes catastrophic errors. Like mailing Client #1's letter to Client #2 and vice versa. He does this at least 3 times a week.
- Makes mistakes or forgets tasks then denies that they ever existed.
ETC.
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