Is it possible to be too good of an employee?

Question

my best friend works at a high end retailer as a merchandiser. he's been there since december. since then, he's literally transformed the store and made it look better than it ever has. he's tried to transfer away from his boss, but she's always hindered that since he makes her look so good. at one point he was considered for a promotion within the store however he was denied that since he hasn't been there for a year yet. one of his coworkers admitted to him that the policy is bullsh*t since she was promoted within her first 8 months there. my friend has had both the store manager and district manager give him accolades for keeping the store looking emmaculate. and they just told the guy that they're cutting him back to 25 hours a week. he's had enough of this and he's now looking for a job that will give him the money, respect, and title he deserves. it seems that his store recognizes what a stellar employee he his, yet they're afraid to let him move on because if he does they go back to being mediocre.

my question is, does it benefit to be a good employee, but not a great employee? i also saw that type of c**p at my previous job where my exboss gave my coworker a non-valid issue for denying his request to transfer. in the workplace is it better to shine and make your bosses look GREAT to their bosses, or is it better to be better than simply good enough to get yourself ahead?

Answer 1

the better employee you are, the more likely you are to be fired

open up your eyes and see the kinds of people that employers choose to retain

it's totally ridiculous

they always choose the most incompetent useless, and stupid people there are around

as consumers we constantly run into this when we go out looking for services that we require

But it is because of the fact that the people doing the evaluating of the personnel are not exactly sharp people themselves

What are you going to do

As consumers we have to pay the price for this stupidity

and as workers, well just forget it

Answer 2

Any employee should be recognized for the value they bring to the company.  Unfortunately, every company has a different set of rules for how they reward good or great accomplishments.  I worked for a large bottling company and at one time the HR department would reward employees for "goign over the top" with like 25.00 gift cards.  Well when the company had cutbacks, that was one of the programs they cut out and they said it would now be up to each manager to come up with their own reward system.  My manager came up with a certificate program where we'd get a paper certificate when we did good (called it C.A.R.E.S) at the end of each month whoever had the most would get a gift card (that she paid for herself).   It was a nice touch but when it came to promotions and salary increases that all fell into the yearly schedule.  

The thing about it is, he could have made note of all his "good doings"  and at the time of his yearly review qualified for a raise.  Anything before the normal yearly review is totally under the discretion of the company.  

But he did right.  If he felt taken advantage of, then just move on.  I always say, make them wish you never left, instead of glad to see you go.

Answer 3

gad I hate slackers as well, I mean a lot, I've had fair shares dealing with lazy ***'s. From my experience over here is, harder you work, the less $$ make, employers would rather pay higher $$ towards a slacker instead of hiring a good worker, they can be racist as well(get paid less while doing the same work), some employers prefer white people, or other way around (doesn't matter if they are good or not).

Some places will notice your effort, and they'll promote you prety quick, and I mean quick, while you look at the other employees, and wonder  why they didn't get promoted. It's like 50/50 might be good, might be bad idea.

Overall, just depends on how the employers and the workers environment are ~_~.

Answer 4

yes.-blurey

Answer 5

I have seen this happen at Walmart as well.  They will keep someone in a mediocre position so they can keep them in their store if they recognize superior work qualities; or, they will move them around in a district to solve similar problems in the other district stores.

Your friend is right to look for another position.  

Yes, I think you can be TOO good an employee in some cases.

Answer 6

It depends. I've worked with bosses who did all they could to promote me. I've been consistent with my effort. I believe in excellence. His managers are short-sighted fools. They should be promoting him because maybe he can bring that magic to all of the stores. He can do more good by being higher up. That's how it should work. Obviously his managers are slackers and by keeping him they aren't so obvious.

I hate slackers.  

Answer 7

It all depends on where you work. Workplace politics differ from employer to employer. I know it is bad when you encounter this but you should never give anything less than your best no matter what the circumstances are. if workplce politics are standing in the way of you and a promotion you need to find another employer who recognizes your talents and knows how to unleash them for the greater good of the company. I hate to sound like an afterschool special but that is it in a nutshell. Those workplace politics are what eventually drove me to go into business for myself.