Unfiltered Story #56996
(We have just hired a number of new employees. It has become apparent to a number of staff members that one of the new hires is ill-suited for the work environment – they are whip smart but have a huge ego, and spend most of their time comparing wages with more senior employees, complaining about how little the job challenges them, and making assumptions about the protocols in place. I had to speak with this hire a number of times about changing protocol, explaining and re-explaining that they are required to first ASK about implementing a change, and AFTER we say it is fine, to do so. This was our last conversation.)
Me: [New Hire], did you ask anybody about moving that equipment into this space?
New Hire: No.
Me: Both [Coworker 1] and [coworker 2] are one door down from you. They’ve been there all morning. You didn’t ask one of them about it?
New Hire: Well, no. But I cleaned it before I moved it!
Me: I appreciate that you thought to do that, but my concern is that you moved equipment from one lockdown facility to another without approval. I thought you understood that we can’t do that.
New Hire: Yeah, but I cleaned it.
Me: As I said, I appreciate that. The problem isn’t the equipment, it’s that protocol was breached. You have done this a few times, and I have told you each time to first ask me, or [literally any coworker] before changing any protocol.
New Hire: Ok.
Me: Do you understand the protocol we have in place? I could go through it again with you, or arrange for [Supervisor] to run over it with you if you would prefer. It’s a pretty strict protocol and we all have to follow it.
New Hire: I understand the protocol.
Me: Ok. Then I need to see you follow it. I want you to understand that this is a verbal warning. The protocol has been breached a few times, and it needs to stop. If you have any changes you want to make, or any questions, I need you to ask either myself or [Supervisor]. Ok?
New Hire: Ok.
(At this point I let them go back to work with the only coworker they got along with – also a new hire who struggled to fit in – so they could vent the frustrations behind their stoney face. Later that day, with no warning, the new hire went home. When I called to make sure they were ok, I was told that they were quitting because they were so “underappreciated” here. Power to ya, kid.)
