Useless

Status
Not open for further replies.
daleuger

daleuger

Senior Member
Location
earth
I've got the owner's- brother as a helper and gonna be most of the time apparently. He's about as useless as a burned down house, and then some. The owner just flat refuses to see the light, so I guess I've got him to deal with. Any good ideas?
 
I've worked with a guy for the last year and half that I call puppet. I call him that because he needs EVERYTHING spelled out for him. Bosses won't kick him to the curb either. Good Luck
 
If he is your helper and the owner's brother then my question is: Is he subordinate to you or is he fighting your authority? If he is disregarding your leadership then you should have a sit down with your employer and tell him what the deal is.
I have worked for family businesses before and have had issues with the bosses son. I had talked to my employer at the time and voiced my concerns. My employer addressed these issues at the time but it never ended up getting resolved. That was frustrating but there was nothing else I could do. I endured it for a few years letting it ferment and when I came to my snapping point I left the company knowing they were their own worst enemy and nothing I could do would fix their poor judgment.
That maybe the only thing you can do that is fair to all involved.
 
You think you have problems ? I had two of the owner's sons working on my job. They were useless!!! I gave them a nasty job and they screwed it up! I put them both in the company pick up and brought them up to the closest barber shop and had the guy give them "MARINE CUTS"!! Next day i thought i'd be fired--didn't care-- their Mother had a fit! The boss called me around 8:30am-said his kids couldn't work for me anymore--his wife wouldn't allow it!!! And "OFF THE RECORD" the hair cuts looked good to him!!! Haircut only cost me six bucks apiece--gave the barber an eight dollar tip!!! Best twenty bucks i ever spent!!!
 
Hard spot

I've read countless books on leadership skills and as corney (SP) s it might sound 9 times out of ten they work.For the most prt the biggest thing I have changed is to put guys on the same level as me.It is funny how we all forget the stupid things we did when we first started.And how are foremen used to rag on us.So when we get helpers or workers we tend to do the same thing.As hard as it is sometimes try to cheer him on and pat him on the back for things he does right.When he does wrong hold your temper and explain to him "nicely" what he did.I have hired some real doseys in my day but have only ever had to let 2 guys go.Most of them if it were up to my partner would hve been fired the same week they started.But 98% have made complete 180's in work and there life.

You may very well be doing this.There are some people who just refuse to be taught.If he is one of these I will pray for you.LOL
 
Good luck!

Good luck!

Good luck with this one! I have been in similiar sitiuations. Worked with owners son. He got away with murder!! Just do your job, and don't let the guy drag you down. If things get bad enough you will need to speak with the owner. Be sincere, and hopefully he'll deal with the problem!:smile:
 
I'm working with the owner's nephew right now. All he cares about is milking the clock to get as many hours as he can. I'm trying to get it done to keep the jobs profitable.
We definitely grate on each other's nerves. :rolleyes:
 
SEO said:
Just remember bloods thicker than water. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of. The guy has been on and off with us for a year apparently, but first time I've seen him. I have to tell him everything four or five times. He's got a real bad attitude, and he'd probably sleep in the truck all day if you didn't stay on him.
 
MAK said:
If he is your helper and the owner's brother then my question is: Is he subordinate to you or is he fighting your authority? If he is disregarding your leadership then you should have a sit down with your employer and tell him what the deal is.
I have worked for family businesses before and have had issues with the bosses son. I had talked to my employer at the time and voiced my concerns. My employer addressed these issues at the time but it never ended up getting resolved. That was frustrating but there was nothing else I could do. I endured it for a few years letting it ferment and when I came to my snapping point I left the company knowing they were their own worst enemy and nothing I could do would fix their poor judgment.
That maybe the only thing you can do that is fair to all involved.
Click to expand...


He's definitely subordinate because he's green as green can be but he doesn't seem to see it that way apparently. It needs to be addressed but I don't want to pick my tools up and go back on the hunt when I'm with somebody that's doing good in such hard times.
 
daleuger said:
I've got the owner's- brother as a helper and gonna be most of the time apparently. He's about as useless as a burned down house, and then some. The owner just flat refuses to see the light, so I guess I've got him to deal with. Any good ideas?
Click to expand...

You are venting and not really seeking a venu to change this guy. As a good boss you need to see the strenghts of everyone of your employees. to not find the strenghts of employees is your job and by doing so you can maximize your job expenses. If you let the employee bring you to his level he wins you need to be the shining star not a dim fire sputtering out. do not do his job for him and assign him work more fitting his talents. He needs to be a productive member since he is a member, that is your job.

Good luck with your new assignment and keeping in the budget for the job.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top