Struggling co-worker

fluk3d

A co-worker was recently hired a couple of months ago on the help desk team, and we were made aware his technical abilities were basic. Without getting into too much detail, we had tried to coach, direct him, offer help but nothing seems to stick. The co-worker keeps asking how to do things that we had showed him how to do multiple times and ensured he wrote it down in the event no one was around to assist.

One of the help desk members spoke to a supervisor, and from what we can tell the supervisor had a talk with him. Today I had a meeting the my supervisors' boss and he asked me what I think of this individual. The reason my supervisors' boss asked was because I was assigned a project and wanted my feedback. Without coming off negatively I mentioned he has "difficulty with his day-to-day tasks" and I, along with the other members of the team have been trying to help him however we can but I am unsure if he would be the proper choice for this project.

I believe I answered truthfully and due to the sensitivity of the project I didn't want things falling back on me and I was presented with the perfect opportunity to voice my concerns without being negative. Do you guys think I should of said what I said, or worded it differently?

Akaricloud

What you said seems very reasonable to me. In all honesty if he can't handle entry helpdesk after a few months then IT probably isn't for him and he shouldn't be kept around.

The sad truth is not everyone can do it.

Somnipotent

I have a certain individual who fits the exact same bill. He's been contracting for over a year and a half and even with multiple complaints against him, management doesn't seem to get the hint.

fluk3d

It's a difficult situation because on one hand you don't want to let it get out of control because people are starting to complain, and on the other hand I haven't been here too long and want to seem like I am complaining... I just don't want to put a bad taste in managements mouth ..

ptilsen

I think you did very well. Management will appreciate bluntness more than tact in this sort of situation, and you managed to be tactful, but clear, so bonus points to you.

the_Grinch

I feel you worded it perfectly. If someone asks for an honest opinion, then I give it to them. It isn't anything personal, it is business and I believe you treated as such.

NetworkVeteran

fluk3d wrote: »

It's a difficult situation because on one hand you don't want to let it get out of control because people are starting to complain, and on the other hand I haven't been here too long and want to seem like I am complaining... I just don't want to put a bad taste in managements mouth ..

This is business. If you're asked for an honest assessment, it's okay to provide it.

I would probably word it like so: "If the goal is to complete the project quickly, he wouldn't be my choice, because he requires frequent and repeated assistance to complete his work. If you want to add him on as a training opportunity, please budget some extra time for that."

The co-worker keeps asking how to do things that we had showed him how to do multiple times and ensured he wrote it down in the event no one was around to assist.

I would ensure you're documenting the time you spend this way so the cost of that employee is clear. If you're not the manager, it's not your call whether to keep him or not, but you do want to ensure that the quantity and quality of work that you're doing is reported accurately.

fluk3d

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

This is business. If you're asked for an honest assessment, it's okay to provide it.

I would probably word it like so: "If the goal is to complete the project quickly, he wouldn't be my choice, because he requires frequent and repeated assistance to complete his work. If you want to add him on as a training opportunity, please budget some extra time for that."


I would ensure you're documenting the time you spend this way so the cost of that employee is clear. If you're not the manager, it's not your call whether to keep him or not, but you do want to ensure that the quantity and quality of work that you're doing is reported accurately.

Thanks - another colleague is tracking down already how many times we have showed him things etc.. that way if anything was to occur it's documented and we do not have to rely on memory. I figured it would also add professionalism to the entire situation

someasiandude

what were his qualifications?

tpatt100

As long as your honest you are doing what is right. I experienced times where people gang up on an employee and label them a bad worker when all I saw was people looking for things wrong with him/her.

But I also have experience with people that should not be there. Back in my help desk days a coworker who I considered a friend was a hard worker but dang this guy had to be spoon fed EVERYTHING. We both had the same experience (none) but I admitted what I did not know and made sure to read books, blogs and spend time outside of work researching. I setup a website for our team to use where I documented break/fix solutions from our old tickets so we could build a library of stuff we learned over time. It was used to train new employees also, it was our intranet "Google" I guess.

But man this guy if you didn't teach it to him he could not do it. When our company sent us in groups to Microsoft training to get our MCSA/MCSE due to DOD requirements for job roles he kept asking me to sit with him and explain answers to Transcender practice exams. When I told him he needed to get some old PCs and a KVM and trial editions of Win2K he kept saying "man I don't have time for that I have kids at home". He got ticked off when I finally said "Because you have kids at home you better make time or your going to be spending a lot of time with them being unemployed".

He finally came around after that and started taking night classes to finish his bachelors.

Devilry

Sounds like you worded it carefully.

Management usually does not mind you professionally lay it out behind closed doors, unless they have a personal interest in the subject.

gadav478

Not a fan of getting anyone fired, which I am not saying that you are doing. I would rather see the collective whole bring everyone up to par.

With that said, every one has the responsibility to pull their own weight. Hopefully the conversation conveyed his declining value and he/she will start to step things up. I don't think you did anything wrong, and you positioned yourself beautifully.

All you can do try to help your team, but each member has to dig in and produce when the time comes, bro.

jmritenour

I've had a few of those kind of co-workers in my time. I'd never out and out toss someone under the bus, but when asked for an honest appraisal of someone's performance, I'd give it. You'd be doing them more of a disservice by lying or covering for them.

NOC-Ninja

Its sad but I see this a lot. Although, not everybody have the same passion as others. What i mean is, passion to study at home after work hours. They feel that they dont have time since they have kids and family. I have nothing against that but there are some people that have family study hard at home. A lot of guys that are very successful makes time to study not because they have to but because they want to. Its what they love doing or they know that its a competition out there.

Reality is, it will be your passion but you will get burned out since we are only human and then it just becomes a habit rather than a passion. Does that it even make sense? You feel that you have to study because if you dont study then something is missing inside of you.

The truth of the matter is there are a lot of people that are unqualified from managers, directors, technicians and even engineers in the corporate world but how come they are still there? lol

neathneathneath

NOC-Ninja wrote: »

Its sad but I see this a lot. Although, not everybody have the same passion as others. What i mean is, passion to study at home after work hours.

Ninja, you hit the nail on the head there, good point.

NOC-Ninja

neathneathneath wrote: »

Ninja, you hit the nail on the head there, good point.

Yup, if we really think about it. Who would want to study/learn/lab using their personal time after work?
A few reasons:

1. We dont get paid for it
2. No recognition
3. No significant raise unless you move to another company or get a promotion.

Its not the co-workers fault. Its the fault of whoever hired him.

djfunz

I think giving your option had to happen because management asked you for it.

I would perhaps have tried to empathize with their situation though and reminded management that two months is not very long at all to be on a team. It takes a good month just to begin to get comfortable with the surroundings and co-workers. After six months, you will start to discern patterns and define a more concrete perception of this person.