Free Career and Job Search Advice

cgrata · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject: Employee looking for my mistakes

I have an employee with a bad attitude, who goes above me with his questions. When he does ask me a question, it seems he is trying to find a mistake with my work. He seems very disappointed when he finds out I am right. Its very strange, I know. Any advice on how to deal with this.

lilo · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

So I should understand you're the employer, right? Well, in this case, you're already doing a good thing ... - offering the answers and being right about them. Still...this is not a subordinate towards superior conduct from his part. Don't understand I'm thinking about an atmosphere of totalitarism and irany, but still....You should establish the hierarchy, not by violence or drastic measure, but by law and good personal conduct. You don't really have to give too much information, if you ask me. Of course...it depends on the nature of the questions the employee asks.

comic3 · Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:41 am Post subject:

Well.... these are common problems .... you face with subordinates nowadays...

The funny thing is that they are very low in the hierarchy....

Unfortunately, they are trying to eatablish a mental connection through some common source and then try to establish that superiority attitude..

Don't deal with them directly.... What are the other employees for... ask them to deal with him or her ..... or in other words..... just read him the laws... put him in place...

If they constantly return....try channeling that connectiion to your subordinate...these things should not even come into your daily schedule..

Regards

julian · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 255 Career Advice: +2/-0

What's to deal with an impertinent attitude? Is it his job to question your authority or competence? I had this subordinate who would ask various questions in front of the other employees thinking he could place me in some difficulty. He almost caught me once, I didn't know the law by heart. But I don't consider I have to know all law by heart. I always check the law, I have it on the desk and never sign or make a statement without checking it. I took the law, read it and then put him in his place. He should first search the answer himself and if he doesn't find it, come not to you directly, but to his first superior. I'm no tirant, but things like these annoy me. No goods trying to hold me back...

lexa10881 · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:51 am Post subject:

If you are in any way a superior to this individual, you have every right to a constructive discussion with this individual. Do not make it an attack session but just simply ask why? Why does he/she feel the need to go above you??
Yeah...that probably won't work, but it would be nice. If the problem can be addressed by a conference between the two of you and the boss, then I think that would be best. Explain to your boss that you feel uncomfortable and undermined by the behavior of your co-worker, and are at the end of ideas to deal with this issue. Then, if you get to have a meeting, no one can say they were being bullied because there's a mediator in the room. Really, it sounds like your colleague is childish and needs to grow up. And that you have the typical office backstabber on your hands. Do know that they usually can outsmart themselves and wind up looking foolish? They do, and it is really easy....keep telling them things correctly, then one day just tell him whatever you want. That wil most likely be the day he listens to you and screws everything up... Twisted Evil

http://www.cvtips.com/types_of_difficult_people.html

This series might make you feel better. Hope you survive it....

sweet_life · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 184 Career Advice: +0/-1

Yeah, you could say he's one type of difficult person to deal with at work. But in your case, things are more simple, and some posters have pointed out some good things. Taking into account that you are the superior and he's the subordinate, you can call him and ask for explanations or give him a direct verbal warning regarding his attitude. Make him understand he's not in the position of questioning your authority, and if he has questions indeed, he should ask them in a professional way.

Randy

quote="cgrata"

I have an employee with a bad attitude

Is it really "bad" or are you preceiving it as "bad" because he

goes above me with his questions.

Two different things, right?

When he does ask me a question, it seems he is trying to find a mistake with my work.

Could very well be the case. Sounds like he's fallen into the trap of believing that the only way to make himself look good is by making others, in this case, you, look bad.

Any advice on how to deal with this.

Yes. You're the "authority figure," right? Do what leaders are supposed to do: Lead by example.

Here's all I mean:

Put HIM to the test. He sounds exactly like me--a black sheep. We're really not "bad" people. We just a serious problem with "authority figures" for whom we don't yet have a lot of respect. (You'll understand this better when I respond to another poster, okay?)

So give him the benefit of the doubt--at least for now--and DO this:

Assign HIM a task, something, anything--it can be a complete fictional thing if you want. Just give him something over which HE has control! Then watch. See if he takes more "pride" than ususal in his work. See if he seems more "loyal" and all the rest. If so, you're dealing with a classic "black sheep," someone who loves the resonsibility and challenge of "being in charge," but who is not.

I.E., give him the rope. If he hangs himself, THEN throw him out the door!

Very Happy

Randy · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:17 am Post subject:

quote="comic3"

The funny thing is that they are very low in the hierarchy....

There's ONE reason the "employee" in question has the attitude he does! Do you think he doesn't "sense" the consdescending attitude that places him "...very low in the hierarchy"? Mad

Randy · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:21 am Post subject:

quote="lexa10881"

If you are in any way a superior to this individual,

There's the second reason this guy has what y'all are calling an "attitude problem."

Do you not think he senses those above him see themselves as "superior"?

Supervisors, managers, the President of the United States are NOT "superior" to anyone else!

Better circumstances in life, titles, more money, more power does not make you "superior" to anyone else!

Randy · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:25 am Post subject:

quote="sweet_life"

you are the superior and he's the subordinate,

Three times in a row! Amazing how quickly we equate "authority" over another with being "superior."

Yes, I know "how" the word is intended, in context.

The tragic reality is that is implies a sense of being "better" by virtue of nothing more than having this "authority."

And y'all wonder why I've had so many employers?

Hell, with THAT attitude being so prevalent, there's little hope for any of us!

Join our Newsletter
CopyRight © 1999-2008 cvtips.com This material cannot be published under any form or condition.