Was I wrong in how I handled a co-worker..How would you have handled this situation?

Question

I work for my township. I drive a recycle truck.

I was the first 1 man-recycle in my town since we have gone to issuing each resident a can that can be picked up by an automated truck.

I was the lone truck doing this for 1-1/2 years until every resident recieved a can.

We had other trucks out but a 2 man crew manned those trucks since they had to tip the cans residents were providing themselves with until there area of town recieved the new style can.

2 months ago a fellow worker was placed on a second automated truck. I expected him to be slow at first and was willing to help him AFTER my responsibilities were tended to first.

Answer 1

If you're not in a position to tell this person what to do (you're not a manager or supervisor), then yes, you should have kept your mouth shut.

I can completely understand your frustration, but you probably should have went through the proper channels.

If it were me, I'd cover my own butt and tell my own supervisor that I blew up at a coworker and wanted him to know so that he's not blindsided by it if he hears about it later.

I chew out my coworkers at times, letting them know I don't put up with slackers...but I'm the manager and I get to do that without getting myself in trouble. :)

Answer 2

You had every right to be upset that he was irresponsible and you had to do his job for him, but I might have handled it differently.

I probably wouldn't have asked him if there was a reason he left early, and I would have told him that if he was running behind or having trouble he should have let you know rather than just take off.

We have those automated "claw" trucks here and one day, the guy must have been upset about something because he would pick up the trash cans and then just drop them after dumping the trash. Not a single can was left standing. It used to take four guys in a truck to do the trash.  

Answer 3

Always hold your anger at work. Though you feel that you are right, ripping into a person will not make them see it your way and change their behavior. It will usually do the opposite, because they will feel the need to become defensive.

Next time, you should use the techniques that all the successful negotiators use: empathy. Simply ask the person if everything is going OK in their life, because you care. You may find that there is some issue that is causing this person to not work well lately. You can then come to a compromise, by asking him what  a fair solution would be. More than likely, he will say that he is sorry, and will do better because he will feel guilty. He will have respect for you because you spoke to him with respect as a co-worker and fellow human being with faults.

I would then inform the supervisor that there was a situation, but I handled it. The sup will be impressed, and grateful that he didn't have to step in. If it happened again, then I would go straight to the supervisor and tell him what is going on, so he can do his thing.

Edit: That's funny. I really didn't expect YOU to come to a compromise. Whenever I ask one of my employees to suggest a compromise when they are not working up to par, they usually suggest that they will do their responsibility. It's just psychology. Everyone wants to feel validated (apparently so do you).

Answer 4

I think you would have been better served by keeping your mouth shut. However, it's your word against his, and your boss undoubtedly will take your side if push comes to shove.

People like that will hang themselves if given enough rope. Your boss will eventually figure the guy out.