Having a rough time

[pauljr]

I was promoted several months ago to the dept. head at my work. Which basically boils down to anything in our plant dealing with quality is my responsibility. So anyhow there is one fellow who works for me who was trying to take advantage of me, so a few weeks ago i asked him to stop doing what he was doing (leaving work before the end of the shift). He said he would and i left it at that. Well long story short he didnt stop. So I called him into my office and behind closed doors reprimanded him and changed the way he was to leave every day, basically he has to find me before he can leave. Now keep in mind this a managment employee who is supposed to be somewhat a profesional. Any how he is now spreading some really nasty things about me and some other very childesh things. My request is for peace of mind. im really struggling with not being able to let this go and write it off as a non issue. It is an issue for me, i strive to be good to everyone and it doesnt always pay off. Hopefully i can put this out of my mind and move on. Stuff like this really bothers me.

[Doc Nock]

Hoo-boy.

Paul,

I do the same job in a 90 person plant.  I hear you on this and it's my view (while surely somewhat prejudiced) that this isn't a "non-issue'.

Violation of policy, setting bad precedence for other employees are the grist of total morale break down as more and more do until someone is made an example.

Your company should have some "corrective action" program and there should be policies on insubordination.

Sometimes, like the farmer who treated his animals with loving care but took a 2x4 to a mule, and when asked, he just commented, "That was to get his attention-now I'll love em!"

Good luck. Dont' let it rankle, but don't let it fester. RHIP also means that rank has it's problems.

Keep the Son in your eye!

[pauljr]

Thanks Doc

[redeemed]

prayin for ya bud, people like that irk me!! give 'em a finger and they want the whole arm. Sounds like he is trying to S t r e t c h the friendship/boss relationship and see just how far he can get. Maybe it would help if another supervisor would "find out" and be watching also, simply cuz sometimes these kind of people can wreak havoc once ya try pinning him down with disciplinary actions and your the only one that knows its happening. just a thought, praying bud!!!

[CoilSpring]

First make sure with HR there are no medical/family issues he is dealing with that you may not know about. Or, does he work through lunch and had something pre-approved by previous supervision?   If so, discuss with him, and cut him some slack. If not....

Document, document, document...
Did I say document????
 

He said he would stop. Document that. He didn't stop. Document that.

Discuss with your supervisor and HR rep. next.  Reinvite him to another conference with another supervisor (so your words are "established") where you address his word given, not kept and now the insubornination. Document that. Tell him you are documenting his comments and that the next time it happens, or additional insubornination or false statements occurs he will be disciplined.  Back it up.

He's likely not taking you or his effects on the other employees seriously.  

I've had blatant employee policy breeches after which they try to make you think you are the "crazy" one...that wrong is right and right is wrong.   It's just spiritual warfare attacking you in your new position, so you're likely doing what's RIGHT.  Keep it up, brother.

[pauljr]

Thanks guys, I knew I could get some sound advice based on faith and good moral character.

[pauljr]

Thanks guys I new I could get some sound advice based on faith and good moral character.

[Rookie@51]

I sent you a PM.......Dusty

[Rookie@51]

Paul, a good source of Leadership skills based on Bible examples can be found at your local christian bookstore. John C. Maxwell has put together a Leadership Study Bible that takes examples from the bible to show all kinds of leadership, soom good and soom bad. It was an invalueable help for me as it gives biblical based teachings about how we are to lead those who are under our leadership. I would send you the one I had but I gave it to someone who didn't have a bible and noway to buy one. That is how the Lord works sometimes. I continue to lift you up and pray for guidance in this time of transistion. God bless you and yours.......Dusty

[Blueridge]

Sounds to me like he is mad about you getting the job he thought he should have gotten and he refuses to accept you at that position. I had the same thing happen when I was in production managment many years ago. I was a lot younger than most and was promoted to department head over 2 areas. The older guys did not like it, one in particular. I finally had to call him in and lay down the law as to who I was and who he was. He could either accept that or I would have to fire him. He got the message and things worked out well. Don't let this guy ruin your life/career. God gave you this promotion and sometimes you have to have an iron fist.
Blessings

[BenBow]

Praying for God to give you wisdom and strength.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by BenBow:
Praying for God to give you wisdom and strength.

There is always trouble when leadership changes. I had a lot of trouble when I took a leadership role. I found out some people were starting and spreading terrible rumors.

Unfortunately sometimes there is a change of employees with a change in leadership. This is not good or bad, just the way it is.

Him spreading Rumors and disobeying company policy is a BIG issue. You need to address and as other said before Document everything. Also you need to have a witness during any coaching or disciplinary measure.  This isnt about being a nice guy, anyone's friend or being a "hard ass".  This is about nipping an issue in the bud before if becomes out of hand and others become involved,

Address it and move on, dont let things stew and dont let this issue tarnish the whole picture of the employee. Dont give him grief everytime you see him. Once  My guess is he is otherwise a good employee and there's a reason why he is still there.  If not, If all the proper channels have already been taken, perhaps this guy needs to be let go.

It will set an example but make sure everything is 100 % professional so rumors and outlash are kept at minimum. Again, Document, witnesses and More documentation are absolutely necessary.

It stinks things have to come to this. If you are not in a union shop count your blessings.  My guess is the guy will straighten up once he knows you are serious and his job is on the line.

Good luck!

[GRINCH]

Paul when I took supervision I had to supervise those that were my leadmen before.After many disagreements and a lot of discussion we work it out,but there was always the one who spread rumors,I ask for a consult with the HR director and that individual I gave him a counseling session with witnesses and that stopped the harressment.

[centaur]

As stated before, documentation of his actions and progressive discipline in regards to those actions will keep you on top and in charge of the situation. An unfortunate fact of life is that there are jerks everywhere. Without documentation, 'it never happened'.

[pauljr]

Well guys thanks for all your prayers and advice. I found out today the felow will be leaving my dept. and the future of his employment is questionable. Things have gotten a little better. Im trying to "kill him with kindness" We will see how things turn out. Thanks again and God bless

[pauljr]

One things for certain, being the boss is a whole lot harder than not being the boss! I actually called an old supervisor of mine who i never got along with and appologized for ever giving him a hard time. Just felt like the right thing to do.

[CoilSpring]

Paul, that WAS the right thing to do, and it's an indication you're headed in the right direction.  Proceed wisely with His wisdom and the counsel of many.  Bouncing situations/scenarios off of seasoned managers will give you ideas how to handle difficult situations.  It's always better to prevent bad situations, than to deal with them later consequences of no action/prevention.  It comes with time/experience both of which I need more.  God Bless.

[Rookie@51]

Praise the Lord for his goodness. When we wait on Him to handle things they will be handled the right way every time. Like others have said seek the advise of others and look for ways to improve your leadership skills. But always look for bibical standards to apply in every area of your life. Remember the word in Matthew 7: 7-12 that says;
 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
His words not mine. Let God show Himself truthful and stand on His word.......God bless you and yours.......Dusty

[Cyclic-Rivers]

In this situation, don't kill him with kindness if you dont mean it,  I tried that route when I was new it doesn't work. They wont get it and dont change.  just be professional and curtious.

Continued prayers.