is there a polite way to tell someone that they're a dumbass?

[nageov3t]

so, at some point in the near future (depending on who I ask, I get different answers from everyone involved) I'm transferring departments within my company into a more technical position (yay for more money, a better title, and getting to work from home). it's all well and good, except I've got a coworker who keeps asking me to try and get him "in" once I'm settled into the new job.

the problem? said coworker is a complete dumbass and is barely holding onto the job he's got now, much less moving into a more demanding position. there's no way in hell I'd want the reputation I've spent 5+ years building up within this company tied up with him. his line is that even though he's in no way even marginally qualified, he's a fast learner, but in the past year and a half that I've worked with this guy, I've never once seen him make an independent effort to expand his skill-set and work on the areas where he's weak... and in a job where working on your own, unsupervised, is practically what the whole gig is, he's the last person I'd trust. I work with him on weekends when there's no management around and without someone telling him specifically what to do and keeping on his ass until he does it, he drifts back and forth between watching dvds and sleeping for his entire shift.

so how the F do I tell him all that while remaining polite and professional so he leaves me alone about trying to get him a promotion that he's incapable of earning on his own merits?

 

[Newbian]

Just tell him and he will realize you are right and will thank you for telling the truth... that is if he doesn't kill you outright.

 

[S Freud]

I just went through this with a friend asking me to get him a job where I work during the summer. I finally told him to do it himself and that it was a personal policy not to vouch for people. Everyone should earn his or her reputation with their own work, not riding on someone else to put in a good word.

 

[xSauronx]

you can tell him that since youre just moving into a new position, you dont think it would be appropriate to try and do favors for someone or suggest someone for a promotion.

 

[lokiju]

Just act like you will and then don't do it.

 

[Q]

Boy you dum

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: S Freud
I just went through this with a friend asking me to get him a job where I work during the summer. I finally told him to do it himself and that it was a personal policy not to vouch for people. Everyone should earn his or her reputation with their own work, not riding on someone else to put in a good word.

:thumbsup: good idea.

and yes, for the record... this guy could probably beat me into a pulp without breaking a sweat. I'm not a small guy and he's still like 3 times my size.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: S Freud
I just went through this with a friend asking me to get him a job where I work during the summer. I finally told him to do it himself and that it was a personal policy not to vouch for people. Everyone should earn his or her reputation with their own work, not riding on someone else to put in a good word.

:thumbsup: good idea.

and yes, for the record... this guy could probably beat me into a pulp without breaking a sweat. I'm not a small guy and he's still like 3 times my size.

fatties are slow.
just run until he gets out of breath~ kick him in the nads afterwards.

 

[Rio Rebel]

"I'll see what I can do."

Appropriately vague for almost all business requests.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do."

Appropriately vague for almost all business requests.

:thumbsup:

I'm okay with the occasional little white lie.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do."

Appropriately vague for almost all business requests.

:thumbsup:

I'm okay with the occasional little white lie.

I'm not. Lies always seem to come back to bite me in the ass.

 

[Rio Rebel]

"I'll see what I can do" is not a commitment to anything firm.

I respect people who are always clear and accurate in their language...but those people don't last long in a corporate environment.

 

[yllus]

I concur with "I'll see what I can do." Really though, your problem lies early on in having indulged the stupid. Don't befriend the stupid.

 

[Casawi]

Is he your friend? it is kind of strange for a Coworker to be hassling you like this?

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do" is not a commitment to anything firm.

I respect people who are always clear and accurate in their language...but those people don't last long in a corporate environment.

Well I'm not in a corporate environment.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do" is not a commitment to anything firm.

I respect people who are always clear and accurate in their language...but those people don't last long in a corporate environment.

Well I'm not in a corporate environment.

Unlike the person who asked the original question.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: Casawi
Is he your friend? it is kind of strange for a Coworker to be hassling you like this?

we're, you know... "work friends."

but I'm just a sociable, friendly guy when I'm on the clock.

I'd never want to meet him for a beer after work or anything, though.

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do."

Appropriately vague for almost all business requests.

:thumbsup:

I'm okay with the occasional little white lie.

Racist! Let me guess, when you see a black lie getting on a bus, you say "You'd better Rosa Park your ass in the back, son!"

 

[chorb]

Originally posted by: shocksyde

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do."

Appropriately vague for almost all business requests.

:thumbsup:

I'm okay with the occasional little white lie.

Racist! Let me guess, when you see a black lie getting on a bus, you say "You'd better Rosa Park your ass in the back, son!"

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do."

Appropriately vague for almost all business requests.

This is what I was going to post. could easily be the very last words you speak to him, or to any others regarding the matter.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: shocksyde

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
"I'll see what I can do."

Appropriately vague for almost all business requests.

:thumbsup:

I'm okay with the occasional little white lie.

Racist! Let me guess, when you see a black lie getting on a bus, you say "You'd better Rosa Park your ass in the back, son!"

But Rosa Parks sat in the front....

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
you can tell him that since youre just moving into a new position, you dont think it would be appropriate to try and do favors for someone or suggest someone for a promotion.

This. It's true, and lets him down about as easily as you can. Don't make something up that might come back later to bite you in the ass.

 

[Pepsei]

why burn your bridge... who knows... one day, he may.... use the peter principle and become your boss.

so, just tell him there's nothing available, and you'll look into it....

don't let him know that the only place you're looking into, is the recycle bin.


edit: if there really is an opening... just use the "it's spoken for... by someone else who's looking into it for that person" line

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Do what I do, smile and nod and say if you get the chance, you'll see what you can do. If he keeps hounding you (daily), tell him to stop.

In time he will not see you as often (how big is this company?) and eventually leave you alone.