Problems with co-workers?

Question

I am a manager at a chain retail store. I am 19 years old. I understand that my age might be part of the reason that I am having problems with my employees, but I am at the end of my rope.

I am very easy going and laid back as a manager. Obviously I want everything that needs to get done, done, but I am not constantly on people about getting it done as long as it is done in a timely manner. I am having a HUGE problem with one of my associates, however. He refuses to do any work whatsoever. I ask and plead with him every single day. I know that he does not have any respect for authority. He does not listen to any of us (managers). We have had meetings with him. We have had meetings as managers about him. Nothing seems to work.

I want to know if anyone has any tricks to make him respect me. As I have stated, I'm sure most of it is my age (he's made it quite clear that HE is the adult, he's 37). I need some help quick.

Answer 1

Give him a written warning, a verbal warning, and then fire his A**!!

Seriously, you treat him like a two year old. If you don't MAKE him pee on the potty, he never will.

Answer 2

Why isn't he being fired? He's not doing any work and there is a paper trail of complaints.

Answer 3

see what you can do about getting him fired.  one problem employee should be easily replaced with someone who will be able to take direction without being an ****** about it.  its not you, for sure.

you can also be mean about it and make sure he knows why youre 19 and the manager when he is 37 and NOT the manager.  managers have the right to be mean every once in a while to get their point across and make people fall in line.  use this power to make sure he understands what is going on.

Answer 4

Best to just fire him. If not, perhaps you should get personal with him, and tell him how you and the other managers emotionally feel about his performance and lack of respect. Tell him what you wrote to us.

Answer 5

obviously he does not respect you ...know that he is 37 and he has a 19 yr old manager make it clear that you are better and have more power because he is not doing anything with his life let it be known that you are above him ...hint give him the very little respect he deserves

Answer 6

I think your age has a lot to do with it.  He might feel bad about having a retail job with a 19 yo over him.  If he doesn't improve maybe an older manager should give him an ultimatum like, he will be fired if you don't start respecting authority or whatever else he is not doing.  I don't know, but if he is that strange I wouldn't want to be the one firing him.  

Answer 7

His pride is clearly getting the the way of his responsibilities. He's obviously stuck in the mindset of "I'm older and don't have to listen to you".

If you have already had meetings/interventions with him, then you really can do nothing more unless you report him to a person with more authority than you. Which is what you should do.

Answer 8

he probably has issues because u're so much younger. but u know what? u're the manager. and he should be fired ASAP!