How can I avoid this work situation next time?

Question

Maybe I need to rephrase my question: I'm trying to prevent insubordination in the first place. It's distracting and annoying and has no place in a good work environment. I have to hire a new person now and I'd like some advice.

Answer 1

The guy was the one out of line--not you. I'm sorry you have had poor experiences with the younger generation/s of workers, but we aren't all rude or concerned about 'rights' like leaving early. Some of us a great workers already, and some just need a little guidance. If this happens again, perhaps you should sit down with the individual and go over the expected duties for their position instead of accusing them of insubordination, but if the person is determined to be rude and a poor worker, there's no reason to keep them on either.

Answer 2

Your  totally right the younger generation has no respect for anything never mind anybody. I have to say it's down to ourselves to blame as we tried to give them what we never had and we handed them everything on a plate. Well thats my theory!!!

My answer is tell the next young person that a little respect goes a long way and to treat people how you would like to be treated x

Answer 3

Hi,

When I read your question it really hit home. I, personally have not had your problem, but I am an author and in a sense, self-employed. However my husband is in a very similar situtation at his place of work. He is in middle management and a supervisor who can hire or fire. Within the last decade there has been a very definite and disturbing change in the quality of the new/younger employees. They come in with an attitude of 'entitlement.'

You do not say where you are located, and that can make a difference in the hiring process. Here in California, an employer must be super careful about what questions are asked, be it on a written application and in a personal interview.

In conducting a personal interview my husband will ask an open-ended question(s) that the answer to will be a tell-tale sign about a person's character. My husband has found that in allowing a candidate to freely talk about himself/herself is more telling about their intrinsic nature than the open/shut questions that usually appear on applications. If you can, may I suggest:

Please tell me about you interests outside of work?

My husband looks for answers that involve community service, church involvement or other types of 'interest' that show that the person is not self-centered and the person has a strong sense of willingness to help others. Thus showing an attitude of concern for others and concern for the larger good. Even very young candidates, coming right out of high school have shown that they have interests that were community or church based. And older candidates certainly have had more opportunity for this type of background.. so there is no excuse.

This method has worked well for hiring people who see their employment as a team effort.

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

People that work for you have to follow your orders, be responsible, and respectful. You cannot put up with the behavior of the person you described. The old saying "One bad apple" applies. Get rid of them. You need to decide if you are going to fish or cut bait. IF you can't or don't want to deal with it then you need to get another job.