The Son of the Boss

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
i've been at my job now for over 11 years. Have been the only tech for 9 stores. I had asked for help many times only to be turned down.

I now not only have 1 helper, but I have two! I'm finding it a bit too much help as finding work for them to do is a bit hard.

One of the helpers is 48 years old. He worked at Neer manufacturing for 26 years only to get laid off due to the factory moving out of the country. The other helper is 18 and is the son of the franchise supervisor. He is going to tech school for HVAC/R and pipefitting.

My problem with the 18yo is I'm not sure to confront him on his work ethics. His mother (main supervisior) is known for pushing the employees to get the most out of them. She does not put up with any crap from them. It is the company way or the highway. I have told my problems to my boss which is the operations manager. He said he would relay it to the owners. Problem not solved as of yet.

I have both the helpers cleaning air conditioner unit coils and the inside of the air handler. It seems as the 18 yo thinks he is getting the dirty job. Huh? I did this stuff for the past 11 years by myself and it does get filthy. I don't know since he is the son of the queen that he shouldn't get his hands and clothes dirty or what. He cannot keep focused on what he is doing. He will work for 3 minuets and rest 5 while the 48yo hustles at the job to get as many units done in the workday.

I talked to him that he is starting out and he will be doing grunt work. I told him that he needs to wear a belt as this is not about fashion, but for safety. Geesh, I told him that we have others that do the plumbing and please keep your pants pulled up.

I took it upon myself to talk to a friend that works in a union shop. He said they take in new recruits and have programs for them. I got the names and numbers for the contacts for him. I have asked him if he has called them yet.....Nope, I haven't had time....What? I even suggested for him to call during our working hours.

Now, should I tell his mom about the union shop? Should I tell her about how lazy her son is? I hate to do this as it may effect my ability to handle the situation. Problem is, I'm not allowed to fire his lazy butt.........Any ideas?.....Thanks.....SS
 

tx1961whaler

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
5,197
Re: The Son of the Boss

No. You will lose. She knows her son is a lazy slob and put him with you anyway.
 

tashasdaddy

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Messages
51,019
Re: The Son of the Boss

I have had this nepotism problem several times. take him aside. tell him as far as you are concerned his name is just Joe. not Joe the bosses son. he is just an employee to you, and expected to represent the company, be on time, and do a complete days work that is assigned to him. pull his drawers up get a belt by tomorrow.

explain that you, are his immediate boss, and responsible for his work and safety. if he does not comply, will file an official report of poor performance, and mama can put him to flipping burgers.

his mother would do the same or even worse. as he could be an embarrassment to her.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: The Son of the Boss

Treat him the same as you would any other 18 year old that is starting out in the field. If he shows up again without a belt, report the fact to your immediate supervisor and suggest sending him home till he comes back with one. He should be getting first year apprentice type work. When I started as an apprentice (and I am sure virtually all out here that did) I was treated worse than the company cat !!!
If you can get through the first year of an apprenticeship then you will most likely see it through and learn a lot.
Just my 2 cents though.:)
 

Bondo

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Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,251
Re: The Son of the Boss

Ayuh,... I think TD's response is the Right 1,....

Personally,... I keep my foot firmly planted in the azz of New workers, til they understand We're where We are to Do a Job....
A Team approach gets it done Quicker,+ Easier for All....
And,...
Any New worker is starting at the BOTTOM,+ must Prove they worth before movin' Up the peckin' order...
At this point, My Newest worker has been with us a couple of seasons now,...
When he whines about a chore assigned to 'im,...
I ask 'em whether he thinks I should be doin' His work For 'im,+ if he Does think that,....
I No Longer need his services.......

I started this job 18 years ago,+ my hands still fit the hand tamper,....
But, If the newbie lasts, he's Still the Newbie, til another man is hired...
 

DECK SWABBER 58

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
1,913
Re: The Son of the Boss

"He will work for 3 minuets and rest 5 while the 48yo hustles at the job to get as many units done in the workday".

LOL.

Everyone is right on. You have to pay your due's.
Mayfloat look at it this way, maybe by the end of the summer you and the
48 yr. old helper will have mentored a fine young apprentice!

The work ethic of many of our youth is discouraging to say the least.
I had one working for me that was like this. He has moved on but
seems to be going in the right direction. It is a good feeling to know
that maybe some of the things I taught him stuck.

GOOD LUCK!
Sounds like it might be a long hot summer.:D
 

JRJ

Commander
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Sep 11, 2001
Messages
2,992
Re: The Son of the Boss

Maybe this kid was given to you to straighten out? Tell him what you expect and where he is failing. If he doesn't get it, talk to his mother and find out just what her expectations are. Maybe the kid is just passing thru on his way to a suit :D
Don't let the hard worker do the kids work. Good luck.
 

JustJason

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Messages
5,327
Re: The Son of the Boss

One of the biggest things you should do is get a notebook and start documenting dates, times, and infractions. Document what you said to him, and his responses. Keep it to the facts only and your own personal opinions out of it. Once the book gets full enough, make a photocopy of the pages for yourself then turn it in.
 

Woodnaut

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Jul 4, 2007
Messages
634
Re: The Son of the Boss

I think TD is right on. Whatever you do, however, just don't loose your cool. I always say that the first person to get emotional is the first person to loose control of a situation.

Be, cool, be logical, be friendly but firm, and most important, be consistent. Don't say anything in the heat of the moment. Anything you say can, and probably will, be repeated and probably exaggerated. That's why you always keep your cool no matter what. Poor workers usually end up doing themselves in. ;)
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: The Son of the Boss

He is going to tech school for HVAC/R and pipefitting. While talking to him, let him know you will be evaluating his work. show him and pocket size notebook.

then give him enough rope to hang himself. then have another talk, and go over what he has and has not done.

everyone deserves a second change.


I don't know if you read any of the post in Dockside, about my 19 y/o helper, Brandon. first he was born with a wrench in his hand, and brains. in the last couple of months, i have given him, every chance to screw up, steal from me, tools, parts and cash. he has proven to be a loyal employee.

also something else about him, i bought a tool set (not expensive) and assigned it to him. his box is still full, and tools in there place. i told him i was proud of him, his comment was, these are what i make my $$$ with.
 

Tig

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Sep 20, 2009
Messages
416
Re: The Son of the Boss

Lots of good advice here. Give JRJ's post another read. It may serve you well to get mom's take on this. Maybe not to discuss problems right now, but she may give you some "areas" to focus on in his development. Tell her that this is the first time you ever supervised an owners teenaged son. She'll probably give you some direction on what she expects from him and you.
 

DaNinja

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Jun 11, 2008
Messages
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Re: The Son of the Boss

Most of my work with the boss's kids was a long time ago working on farms. Most of those parents would have appreciated an honest and unemotional feedback. I never had to deal with that, though. The parents pushed their kids much harder than the employees.

::remembering Dave Ramsey's guidance to his kids that worked in his business::

I wouldn't blindside the kid, though. That would add an ugly dimension to the equation.
 

SS MAYFLOAT

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Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: The Son of the Boss

Thanks for the replies. I do fill out a performance sheet for him to take to the tech school when the 9 weeks are up. He is a good kid that does show respect,,,,at least towards me. In the off time between jobs or at the end of the day when it is too late to start a job, I will let him swag/flare copper, solder/braze, and bend tubing for practice. I feel it is too soon for him to do it on jobs that we can't waste time on if something is done wrong.

The only thing I will speak to his mom about is the availability for him to get into an apprentice program. I feel that he hasn't said anything to her about it. So maybe mom can push him into that direction.

So far he can accomplish his small jobs that I do put him on such as putting plugs on the end of cables. However it will take him 20 minuets or longer to do it. I know it does take a bit of time to experience your screw ups. Such as putting the wires on the plug and forget to put the housing on the cord first :D.....I got to admit that I have done that at times. :D

Thanks again, I post later on an update.......SS
 

blackhorse

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 14, 2008
Messages
35
Re: The Son of the Boss

Forget this kid is a helper like the older guy. He is a special case and the same rules of good management don't apply. Be fair, firm and consistent but don't try to straighten him out as you are sure to lose. The bottom line is the mama bear will still look after her cub. She will appreciate your efforts and I guarantee that she knows her son and his shortcomings better than anyone. Management knows how much work is to be done and who is doing it. Neither you nor your senior helper should feel threatened. Stay friendly and understanding and you will make out big on this. While not said, they need your help. He will shape up and stay, shape up and move on or just move on. Good luck!
 

fat fanny

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Re: The Son of the Boss

SS I have been in this position more times than I can count! but only once with the bosses son and I can tell you from experience that working with todays youth (x generation) is trying @ best the key is and it is hard document eveything even if it takes a few minutes every hour,Speak to him respecfully of his short commings as they are noticed and end every conversation on a positive note with him agreeing on on what he needs to do to improve give him examples of how to improve and when and where they should show. Also another thing on the documentation time,date and location stamp every instance this will cover your own a-- if it comes to blows with mamma bear and this log of documentation will help if you need it god forbid if your job is in jepordy the nlrd will back you up especially if you have to end up in court been there done that and won with the log book. hope this helps
 

204 Escape

Ensign
Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
909
Re: The Son of the Boss

YES !!!!!!!!

Document
Document
Document !!!!!!

Better their hinny than YOURS !!!!!!! ;)
 

4JawChuck

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 7, 2009
Messages
504
Re: The Son of the Boss

Its the bosses son! He will soon be gone and the less you say about his work habits to the "family" the better it will work out for you in the long run.

Your not going to change him, they already know he's lazy...thats why he is with you hoping he will learn by osmosis. Trust me anything you say against him will only bite you in the end. He will be gone soon enough, this is temporary...he may even end up as your boss the way the world works these days. Best to choke it up and let sleeping dogs lie.

If it were me I would say with a straight face to all the higher ups what a great worker he is and a pleasure to work with, plus you see management potential in him and only wish you had more like him working with you. If you can say that with a straight face while grinning then I think you may have management potential also.

Thats reality.
 

Pascal

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 9, 2002
Messages
252
Re: The Son of the Boss

standard recommendation for a situation like this is: "I'm lucky to get a guy like him to work for me......" ;)
 

SS MAYFLOAT

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May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: The Son of the Boss

I had a small talk with him today. I asked him if he choose this profession for the money or the enjoyment of the type of work. I pretty much knew what his answer was which was because it pays well. I said "So okay, your doing this for a paycheck and not to perform a service for the company". His response was "Well I expect to get paid for the hours I put in". "Okay, your here for a paycheck and not to provide a quaiity service for the company". He goes what does that mean? I then explain that while we are expected to accomplish as much as we can in a days work that it is only respect for the owners that we do not waste time. This means not texting our friends, staying on your assigned task, and not just looking around doing nothing. Haven't you noticed that I do not do personal calls, make stops for personal business, and mainly don't waste time? Also haven't you noticed the other helper also follows my work ethics? He goes "Well your the boss", your suppose to set the example.......I go "Then Please Follow Those Examples!" or I cannot no longer give you good reports on you tech schools progress sheet. Your a very bright smart young man that has a very promising future. However, when your inability to accomplish your assigned task slows my deparment down, it makes us all look bad. Please don't do that.

He seemed to understand. I'll just have to wait and see how he performs the rest of this week.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
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Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: The Son of the Boss

Good Luck with it. Looking forward to how things go.
 
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