What to do about this coworker?

Question

There is this guy at work that acts like he is king of the castle, like he knows everything, like he is better than everyone else. I run the front desk for a glazing company. He is the lead technician. One of my duties is to schedule jobs/coordinate the workload for the techs. My problem is that if I schedule something for this particular technician, he almost always comes up with a reason that he can't do it. One of his favorites is when I already have something scheduled he will call me up and tell me to take him completely off of the schedule for a particular day because HIS accounts need him to do something. (His accounts are the ones he went and presented info on the company to, which lead to them using our company for their glass needs exclusively.) This wouldn't be such a big deal, but on the days that he wants to up and go help HIS accounts, I already have things scheduled for him. I think the biggest thing about his accounts is that he makes a commission on them, so he takes everything else off of his workday, things that I have scheduled, and automatically agrees to do a project for his account just so he will make the commission. He constantly belittles me in front of co workers, insisting that I don't think about things before I do them. Due to the previous front desk person leaving for another job, I have taken over her duties as well as my own from before to keep the business running, and sometimes things do slip my mind, even though I try hard to rememeber everything (post it notes are my best friend!). The most recent was that I scheduled a job for Friday morning, and the same day I scheduled it, he comes up to me and says that he is going to be late on Friday. I was thinking no big deal, I can get someone else to do it, that was the only thing I had to figure out some other way to run the day. So I didn't write it down (doh!) and forgot that he requested it, as I was so busy. So I just got a text message from him that says "I TOLD you that I was going to be late on Friday. You might want to call that customer and tell them it isn't going to happen until later in the day". My second technician (who I was going to have to the job instead) is now scheduled with another project, so the only option I have is to call the customer and let her be mad at me for rescheduling. I have spoken to my boss about this and about the conflict between this particular technician and I. He has cracked down on the tech before, but now he seems to be slipping up again and scheduling what he wants when he wants. Any advice?

Answer 1

When he starts talking down to you.  If your alone I'd get nasty with him and tell him I don't appreciate his rudeness.  And if he has an issue I have a boss.  Now this will surly p**s him off but he will either straighten up or better stop talking to you.  If co-workers are around or the public ask him if he would like to speak in private.  Best thing with him is start writing down the things he is doing.  It may come in handy later.  And if he sees you writing flat out tell him your documenting his rude nasty behaviors.  Be sure to include dates and times and any witnesses.

Scheduling I wouldn't put him on the schedule at all.  And I would tell the boss why I didn't put him on the schedule.

You sound like your a little overworked.  Take a vacation.

Answer 2

Just never schedule anything for him. If your boss wants you to schedule for this jerk, refuse! Schedule stuff for the technicians who are actually willing to do the work, instead! If your boss asks you why you're doing it, explain! Eventually, this guy will get the message.  

Answer 3

Telling the boss is getting minimal results because all the boss is doing is telling him not to do it. It may be more effective if you present it as a problem with a solution. Tell the boss that every time that he sees that he's scheduled to do something he comes up with a reason why he can't. If he truly is meeting with clients and cannot work a certain day he needs to tell you in advance or be taken off the schedule every Tuesdays and Thursdays. Otherwise everything is fair game. He's putting you in a difficult position because it's effecting customer service.

As far as the personal insults go I would say getting out of work is a full time job for you isn't it? I'm sorry you get your panties in a wad every time I assign a task to you, which is only part of my job duties. They are paying you to do something around here...besides BSing with clients all day.

Answer 4

try not to schedule him

Answer 5

Keep talking to the boss and show him your text messages. I know very pushy co-workers and there really isnt much you can do about it. I have also worked customer service my whole life and I know that sometimes customers understand that scheduling conflicts happen, and sometimes we do get yelled at, with that you have to take it by a grain of salt. Just do your job, and keep your boss in touch with everything that this man says to you that you feel like is rude. Eventually your boss might get sick of him and fire him! wouldnt that just be splendid!