How should I deal with this without sounding like I've got a big head?

Question

Around a month ago, I was promoted to Assistant Manager at one of the jobs I work at. Some of the people there, I've worked with for awhile, but there in one guy in particular who is somewhat new. He never works. Other co-workers have complained about him, because when you work with him, it's like working by yourself. Whenever you do tell him to do something, he says he will and then proceeds to either talk/text on his cell phone or stand there and complain until someone else completes the task. I've talked to him once before, but since I was just recently promoted, I don't know how to handle this without sounding like I've got a big head just because I got promoted. His refusal to do basically anything intereferes with running the restaurant as usually 2 people work a shift, and 1 person cannot do everything. What should I say or do to make him do his job?

Answer 1

You have been promoted to a position in your job,

that management thought you were capable of doing.

Now you need to prove your worth.

Be assertive,tell this young man [ in private] that unless

he is prepared to do the job he is employed to do,

you will have no alternative other than to replace him.

Answer 2

Im afraid when you are the boss you cant run with the hares and hunt with the hounds . In other words it means trying to support two opposing causes/aims at the same time - Im sorry but you are paid to manage so manage .

Answer 3

You should give him a copy of his job description and a copy of company rules because I am pretty sure that he's breaking a few of them.  Let him know that although you've just recently been promoted you are not new to the company and he must abide by the rules of the company if he wishes to be employed there.

Answer 4

Cassandra, what you have said here is just perfect and I think you should take him aside and repeat verbatim what you have said here.

Place emphasis on the need for team work and that if he doesn't pull his weight, his partner is going to suffer.

You need to keep a written record of the times you speak to him and how he responds, with dates.

If he continues to do everything but work, you can fire him after three warnings.

Let's see how he likes that.  Don't feel you are being big headed.  You are in management now and need to be just that - a manager.

Look on the Internet about how to be assertive - it's all about stating one's case firmly without being rude or argumentative.  That's it.

Answer 5

Assistant managers have responsibilities just as he does. If your responsibility is to make sure that the employees are all doing their part, you would be shirking this responsibility to not take care of this properly.

Now, as far as your big head...there are a few jobs that having a big head and a big ego are not only OK, but are good to have. Management is one of them.

Your only friends as an assistant manager are other managers. Otherwise, you are not in this for a career and you are just doing it to get by. If you want to make it work, you need to make sure this guy knows that you are no longer on his level. You are above him, you are better than him.

I know, it sounds a little crass, but as a manager, if you have no ego, no self confidence, people will walk all over you. Of course, you don't want the ego to run things...you always must be in  "organization first" mindset. If you do that, and stay confident, you will find that getting his bum in gear is almost natural. And if he doesn't, firing him will be a great way to mark your territory, so to speak.

Answer 6

Tell him his job's on the line.

If he continues, fire him.

Answer 7

Have your boss fire him.

End of story.

Answer 8

Seems to be he had already enough warnings.

Give him the official warnings(that he has to sign), see that you have witness of the events when he breaks the rules.

After 3 warnings, it's the firing by registered letter and then you also OK for union on his side, if he takes action.

You are in charge and payment can only be paid when the worker does his job, he has to understand that otherwise he just fooling you and others would fooling you too in future.

Answer 9

fire his lazy ***

Answer 10

This is the nice way to do it...most people would have fired him by now.

Call him in for a meeting and lay it all out on the table for him. Tell him no texting on company time and make sure he knows his responsibilities. Tell him you do not want to have to let him go but unless he starts pulling his weight you will have to because otherwise it's unfair to the other workers.

Answer 11

You may feel like your "having a big head" but the point is, you ARE assistant manager. And you have to do whatever's right for the business. I think you should have a private meeting with him. Do not tell any other co-workers. Just quietly ask him to meet you in the office (or wherever). Explain the issue, and let him know that his job's on the line. Tell him that this is a team effort; he's got to do the job. Don't be cruel, but be firm. If he continues, warn him again. In my opinion, one more strike should equal no job.  

Answer 12

You are Assistant Manager now. Doing what is best for the company is your job, not an ego trip. Since you are recently promoted, it is acceptable to ask your Manager how to handle the situation. You may wish to talk to the nonperforming employee first to give him a tactful warning. But what he thinks of you is less important than your ability to perform your job and help your co-workers to perform theirs. You were promoted for a reason. Keep the Manager in the loop, and if the worker doesn't shape up, let the Manager do the actual firing. That is his/her job, not yours, unless you are specifically told otherwise.  

Answer 13

You won't sound like you have a big head at all.

Simply tell him that one person can't do ALL the work, and he is not being payed to stand around, and text his friends. Either he has to cutt out this laziness and get with the program, otherwiser his job is at risk. If it's REALLY bad, add in that there are many more deserving people of the job, and that he can be easily replaced. Also, mention to him that you have had complaints.

You may think you're sounding 'big headed', but if you have just been promoted to Assistant Manager, then it is YOUR JOB, to tell employees when they're not working hard enough. If you don't, then you're not exactly working to your full potential either. Right? You can do it! :)

Oh, and if you feel you're being ' mean ' or rude in some way, you're definantly not. By telling him this, you're actually helping him. How're you helping him? Well, he obviously hasn't got a clue, and he's not far away from getting the boot. Therefor, even if you do end up letting him go, then that has taught him a valuable life lesson that he can't slack when he's getting paid. But if you decide to keep him, and he shapes up, you're STILL helping him because he will realize that he came very close to getting fired.

When telling him what you need to say, also assure him that if he ever needs assistance with doing something because he doesn't understand, you'd be happy to tell him how to do it. Also let him know that you won't do it FOR him, although you will give him tips.

I know how hard it is to try to tell someone this kidn of stuff but it's what needs to be done, and you have to get use to it in a position such as yours.

Congrats on the promo, and good luck!

<3 :)  

Answer 14

I agree with Kelly S I think you should talk to him in private about how he isn't a team player. I would bring his behavior to the attention of the manager or owner and have them deal with it if after speaking to him you don't see any improvement.