A few years ago, I worked as a marketing manager for an online learning platform. We were quite a diverse bunch from multiple countries, myself included. Once or twice a year, we would hire a student or graduate on a paid internship. This was usually a three- to six-month contract, but if the person proved themselves and we were able to financially, we could extend the contract or take them on full-time.
One year, I got back from holidays and my boss, the Head of Operations, and a colleague had done a few interviews for a junior marketing role. My boss liked one candidate and wanted me to do the second interview, as they would be reporting directly to me.
The candidate was in their early twenties, newly graduated but impressive, and they aced the interview. But there was something bothering me; I just couldn’t put my finger on what. After much debate with my boss and the CEO of the company — neither of whom felt the same “something” I did — we decided to hire her for three months on a fixed-term contract and see how it goes.
The first few weeks were great. She got to work early, she completed all tasks I gave her within the deadline, she used initiative, she got along with other colleagues, and so on.
Then, little things started happening — the red flags my instincts were screaming about. This is a condensed version of her first-month review meeting with my boss and me.
Me: “[Intern], you’ve been doing really well with all the tasks I’ve assigned to you. I’m very happy with your work so far.”
Intern: “That’s great, thanks.”
Boss: “I’ve had great feedback from a few colleagues, as well, so well done. There are a few small issues we’d like to discuss with you, though. [My Name] has mentioned that you’ve been in after 9:00 am a few mornings this week. With your contract being quite clear on a 9:00 am start, is there something going on that you want to share?”
Intern: “Oh, well, it’s only a few minutes past 9:00. I don’t think it’s that big a deal.”
Me: “It’s been anything from a few minutes after 9:00 am to almost 9:30 am one day. And when you do get in, you spend at least ten minutes switching your computer on, making a coffee, and chatting with people. If there’s a valid reason for getting in late, I’m open to reviewing your start time.”
Intern: “So, the truth is that I live with my sister, and when I started working here, she wasn’t working, so I had the bathroom all to myself. Now she’s started a new job and she’s in our bathroom when I need to get in there every morning. That’s why I’m late every day.”
My boss and I just stared at her, not really believing what we were hearing.
Boss: “That is really something you need to sort out with your sister. It is not a company issue and not something we can accommodate to give you a later start. Maybe get up earlier?”
Intern: “Oh, okay, yeah. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Boss: “The other area of concern is the amount of time you spend on your cell phone during the day. We have no issue with taking a quick personal call outside of your breaks, but it’s been brought to our attention that you are constantly doing this every day, throughout the day.”
Intern: “I’m not sure who’s told you that, because I only take personal calls during my breaks.”
Boss: “The CEO brought it to my attention, and I’ve seen you myself.”
[Intern] kept quiet, not knowing what to say to this.
Me: “The bottom line, [Intern], is that you’re a good worker with potential. These are small issues that are easily fixable by you. Now that we’ve told you about them, you can work on fixing them before we meet for your next review in a month’s time. To summarise, I’d recommend that you get into the office about ten to fifteen minutes before 9:00 am so you’ve got time to settle in before you start work. And limit the personal calls to break times only, unless there’s an emergency. And lastly, if there’s an issue, talk to me. Sound okay?”
Intern: “Absolutely. I can definitely fix those things. Thanks so much!”
She did not; it only got worse. By her second review meeting, it was most of the above conversation all over again. By the third, we told her we were not extending her contract.
The funniest part? She was not from Ireland and happened to be from a country another colleague was from, as well. I asked that colleague if this was normal behaviour there, and she said it absolutely was not. She also said that she’d talked to [Intern] herself to try and explain that it’s quite normal around the world to get into work before your start time to settle in, grab a coffee, etc. [Intern] had asked her, “Is that an Irish thing?”