The wonderful world of management...

[caufield]

I can't help but feel bad even though I know I shouldn't. I was hired to be the general manager of a deli. I wasn't fully trained when my boss went on vacation for three weeks. Before he left, things were going well, everything was working well. Kinda. First, my assistant manager left his cash drawer (two-hundred dollars) out of the safe for an entire day. He then made an ordering error, we needed a product that he didn't order. After that, things hit the fan. He left forty dollars out in the office, he's messed up every order for the next three weeks, he spoiled a box of green peppers (thirty dollars), a box of lettuce (ten dollars), I prevented the spoiling of a box of tomatoes (thirty dollars), a bag of red onions (forty dollars), three hams are about to go bad (fifty dollars each), and a stick of Cappy is a month after it's expiration date (eighty dollars). Besides that, he was turned down for my job and has been repeatedly insubordinate. Sounds easy right? Demote him, fire him, or transfer him. Not that easy.

He's had this job for four years and he just turned twenty-three. He has a five month old child out of wedlock with his live-in girlfriend who does not have a job at this moment. After he got chewed out by the owner's brother, he's actually pretty well behaved and things have been operating quite efficiently.

The owner's back and I have a report that's a page and a half long, listing all of his mistakes, and other errors that have been made. Before he got chewed out, he seemed happiest when he was ordering me around or after I'd gotten chewed out for his mistakes. I know what I have to do, but I don't like it. He did this to himself. What would you do in my situation? Just curious...

[Bassmama]

Seems to me he's been doing everything he could to get you in trouble & fired because he has a HUGE bug that crawled up his ass & died & can't get a grip on it & grow up. I think you already have decided what you are going to do- so do it. I would. He created this situation ON PURPOSE trying to derail you- let him be responsible for his actions. You are his supervisor- SUPERVISE!

His personal problems are NOT your problems & while I like the idea that you have a heart (I assume that's why you're hesitating?) the least you can do is let the boss know what has been going on & discuss it with him. If you think the guy has changed his attitude recently, then tell the boss that, but if you think he'll be a sneakier asshole to you & keep causing trouble, let him take his licks.

Seems to me, the boss chose you because he trusted you more than him- & from what he's done, he's proven himself to be untrustworthy all the way around.

[Unforgiven]

Kill him.

[Poseidon]

I second Unf's motion

[Diva]

I agree with Bassmama. Management is a difficult job, and you have to have a strong personality to do it.

He may get better once you reprimand him, write him up and make sure you keep EVERY conversation strictly business. I've seen so many people try claiming their boss has a personal problem with them when the fact is... they are the ones with the problem. Whatever you do, you need to start making that decision quickly. The longer he is able to act out without repercussions the harder it will be to evoke any change. Personally, I think that's what has been happening.

While I understand you thinking about his personal life, I wouldn't recommend it. If he is concerned about it then he would be doing a better job. That's why I think letting him know that there's a new sheriff in town and he needs to shape up or ship out is going to be best. You are not asking for blood, just for him to do his job. Like you said when we spoke on the phone, it's not rocket science.

I hope you update us on the situation.

[Amaurote]

Management is a difficult job - which is why we should all be doing it.

[Mr. Bojangles]

Shoot him. Not fatally, just a kneecap or upper arm wound. Hurts like a bitch, and won't cause permanent damage. Just a notion.