older employees :(

I am having the worst time with a couple of people who work for my department not listening to what I say because I'm younger and they supposedly know better. Someone said straight out to me "well, I've worked in an office for 20 years and I know how to...."

My boss heard that and said thankfully, "well you're not in that office now, you've been working here for 2 weeks and you should listen to what Christina has to say."

Right now my office and files are a mess and people aren't doing the work I assign them, but will do the same work when my boss assigns it to them.

They are only temporary help, but they are clever, and do a better job than other temps I've had but they need an engraved invite to do anything, so I'm not sure if I should call the agency or not.

advice?

i'd "have them out" Chriss.

at 5 past 5 of course.

In my experience, all temps are shit.

Uncle Liam wrote: In my experience, all temps are shit.

I eat temps alive.. these are the only ones who can do the fucking work and they have issues with being old enough to be my dad.

assholes.

J.A.K wrote: i'd "have them out" Chriss.

at 5 past 5 of course.

dunno..

maybe i can flip one over my hip

I'd have 'it' out with them i.e. a sit down 'wtf?' session. If they're clever then they can be useful but if you show them the door then its pot luck at the agency again isnt it? Have they got written job descriptions or in writing what you expect of them? That would be a first step...then you'd define specific tasks and assign completion dates to them and, if you can, tie some of their remuneration to meeting your deadlines. If thats something only your boss can do, then I'd go and have a sitdown with him.

if they wont do what you say you have to replace them. they are temps, they are their to help you, not question you because they are older than you. he temping sucks, ive done it but you have to do the work.

I've had that so many times, I hold a senior position and have been at the same place for years. Our last Clerical Assistant was 52 and she really didn't like being told what to do by me, however nicely i said it. In the end i wanted to throw her out of the window. You have to take them to one side and make it clear that they're there to do a job, and if they're not up to it...

You never want someone undermining your position or your authority at work. Otherwise, it becomes a slippery slope indeed.

A few choice words spoken with a razor-sharp tongue should do the trick.

Remember you're not at work to win a popularity contest, so don't worry about hurting people's feelings, if what they're doing is making the job difficult for you.

Emma

Emma Peel wrote: You never want someone undermining your position or your authority at work. Otherwise, it becomes a slippery slope indeed.

A few choice words spoken with a razor-sharp tongue should do the trick.

Remember you're not at work to win a popularity contest, so don't worry about hurting people's feelings, if what they're doing is making the job difficult for you.

Emma

It's funny, because I'm such a bitch with campaigns and stuff...Many a weakhearted man has left a campaign I've been in charge of because I'm hard to please and demand shit be done my way.

Office work I want them to just do what they're told and leave me the fuck alone so i can do my own stuff and leave quickly.

ChrissMari wrote: am having the worst time with --My boss heard that -thankfully- --people aren't doing the work I assign them, but will do the same work when my boss assigns it to them.-- -- to do anything, so I'm not sure if I should call the agency or not.

'know that this is a few hours old but forwhatits-worth. definitely consider taking a few minutes with these guys. the, 'look, why aren't you doing your work efficiently. you're not doing what's expected from you. ' -type converstion. 'do I have to replace you ?'because they know that you can replace them. in a blink.along the lines that 'this job has to get done so please do it, now. would you like me to speak with the agency, mark your records and have you replaced ?' :D -type idea.C.M. good luck with it.

That's too bad about that, CM. This is probably apples and oranges, but I've had more problems with younger kids who think they know everything ( I work in a wholesale to restuarant company). They're salesman, I'm the warehouse manager, but they don't know basic things like establishment codes, production dates, the schedules of our vendors, reasons for shortages, etc, and any other number of things which always interrupt the "normal" daily schedule, yet they promise things to customers that are often difficult to fulfill.

It sounds harsher in words than it is in reality, for they know damn well that I know how to make the trains run efficiently, and on time (I always love to hear the horror stories when I come back from vacation....:) ). Plus, we've all been friends for a very long time, so the daily pickle that some of my co-workers find themselves in is always dealt with in good humour and a postive attitude, with the hope that they learn from their mistakes.

Taking orders from someone younger would never be a problem for me, provided that that person can show me they know what's happening on several fronts at one time. The bottom line is that I've always had an intuitive grasp for the concepts of every aspect of our business since I started long ago......I guess some need time to learn the ropes.

I have similar issues from both ends, as my job has people moving in and out of positions all the time. The most important thing is in the very first time you meet them. You have to have a command presence, show them by words, actions and body movements that YOU are in command. Be the most unrelenting person in the begining. Watch and correct everything they do, don't let ANYTHING slip by. After a few weeks of this you can ease up, slowly, turning back into the normal person you are in a couple months. Don't worry about being their friend, or how they feel inside. They are temps which means they are desperate for a job, if they can't handle it, they probably would never work well with you anyways. And of course, always keep your higher informed on the position you are taking and why.

I realize this doesn't quite help with your current issue, as they have been employed for awhile, which will make it more difficult. I would take them aside, give them a single chance, and if they can't conform, start over better with another set.

JHC

As my father once told me, everyone works to make thier boss look good. If they aren't willing to do that, then they are after your position.