Work situation, going good and I want to keep it that way

[Anglewannabe]

I have posted earlier about a girl ‘Sally’ that I have to train. She brings a lot of drama and is not competent. Always insisting the computer loss the data when I ask her why she didn’t save it. She even went so far as to look in my files to point out how the ‘computer looses my data as well’. From the nature of the business, it was very easy to see that in that particular file, I made a mistake and saved it. So she is right my file was wrong, but it was because I boo booed, not because the ‘gremlins in the computer change everything’

So I went to my manager and I told her, I really think it would be best for me to simply correct Sally’s work rather than send it back for her to fix it. Sally was hired for a short term contract and I said to my manager 'if she was going to be here permanently, it would be important to make sure she does things right. However, at this point, it would be quicker for me to simply fix her mistakes since she is temporary. Good news, my manager agreed.

Several people were hired to do the first part of the project with the idea that if there were some superstars, they would be kept on to do the second part of the project that is much harder. There is one girl Nancy I believe could handle the second part. Due to the nature of the work, I really think it would be easier on me to start to train Nancy now on the second part. I asked my manager and she agreed again. So I am starting to feel my manager values my ideas.

Here is the catch. Sally is a REAL drama queen. And I suspect when she sees Nancy being trained on the second part, she will asked to be trained on it as well. I do NOT want to train Sally on the second part because I don’t think she is competent enough and it will just be more work on me then it is worth. So, what are some professional and considerate answers I can give Sally if she asks me if she can learn the next part?

Angie

 

[Mummsie]

Hi,

You might want to try:

1. My assignment with you is only for the first half.
2. Decisions on who is trained on what are made by xxxxx.
3. The work you’re doing now is critical to a successful second half. So let’s stay focused on doing a good job on the first half.

Good Luck.

 

[Anglewannabe]

Good ideas but here are the catches/replies Sally is likely to give

1. My assignment with you is only for the first half…

Sally knows that my assignment was to only train Nancy on the first half so she will ask why all of a sudden Nancy gets to learn the second half

1. Decisions on who is trained on what are made by xxxxx…

Sally knows the xxxx’s decisions are strongly influenced by my opinion. She even went to far as to say 'You directly influence my future here because I know xxxx listens to what you tell her about me

1. The work you’re doing now is critical to a successful second half. So let’s stay focused on doing a good job on the first half.
   .

True but Nancy was doing the same work. She will wonder why Nancy was pulled to something else and not me. I fear I would not have the Dale Carnegie skills to pull that off. I fear she would sense in my tone that I think she is incompetent.

 

[HopenHappiness]

Well by fixing all Sally’s mistakes makes Sally look like she can do the work. And if someone else steps into the position of your boss, they might look at Sally’s work and think she is competent.

And if she is Poo Pooing all her mistakes, since your training her it would be your job to point out to your boss that she is not made for that position and is wasting company time and money since you need to fix her mistakes. They could then hire someone who is competent to do the job.

When she found your mistake in the file,I would of simply said to her. Thanks Sally for point this out, I didn’t realize that I made a mistake, I am going to fix that right now. That shows her that not everyone is not perfect, and pointing out the errors are Human in nature and not computer gremlins.

Good Luck

 

[Anglewannabe]

Well by fixing all Sally’s mistakes makes Sally look like she can do the work. And if someone else steps into the position of your boss, they might look at Sally’s work and think she is competent.

My boss is aware that I am fixing Sally’s mistakes because it is quicker than to correct them. If someone steps into my manager’s place, I have the option to quit fixing her mistakes and let her deal with the consequences. At this point, I am the gatekeeper and if something goes to upper management that is wrong, I will be on the hook for letting it get by me.

And if she is Poo Pooing all her mistakes, since your training her it would be your job to point out to your boss that she is not made for that position and is wasting company time and money since you need to fix her mistakes. They could then hire someone who is competent to do the job.

I have pointed out to my manager in a polite indirect way that Sally is NOT competent to do the task. My manager has asked me to give her easier tasks to keep her busy until her short term contract is up. The truth be told, Sally’s contract will probably run out without an month and it is easier to keep her on that to invest training in someone for 4 weeks

When she found your mistake in the file,I would of simply said to her. Thanks Sally for point this out, I didn’t realize that I made a mistake, I am going to fix that right now. That shows her that not everyone is not perfect, and pointing out the errors are Human in nature and not computer gremlins.
Good Luck

You just don’t know how difficult a person Sally is to deal with. Had I tried to explain I made a mistake, it would take me a minimum of 30 minutes to convince her why it was my mistake and not the computers. Anytime I try to show her a task that would require her to stretch beyond her current skill level, she flies off the handle about how it is not her fault it is the computers. She will not listen to reason and since the original intention was to hire her short term and only extend the contract if she is a competent employee, I think it is best that I just grin and bear her last few weeks in the company.

 

[Mummsie]

AngleWannabe,

I think you’re right. It is what it is. And trying to change her is frustrating.

But. rather than “Grin and Bear It” might I suggest you offer up your suffering for those hard working people who can’t find a job right now or those that are underemployed just to feed their families. Aligning our suffering with Our Lord’s crucifixion brings us closer to Christ. There will always be a “Sally” who you can’t fix or remove. How you deal with it defines your character and faith.

Hang in there and God Bless You and Sally.

 

[Anglewannabe]

But. rather than “Grin and Bear It” might I suggest you offer up your suffering for those hard working people who can’t find a job right now or those that are underemployed just to feed their families. .

What a great idea, thanks for pointing it out