Work situation WDYT (long sorry!)

ring_pop · May 2011

I have a Masters student working with me on this Newfoundland project, D.

Apparently D took a course taught by my boss over the winter, and spoke with him several times about a summer work project. My boss promised to take him on once an appropriate project came up.

That turned out to be my project. My boss told D to come in last Wednesday to discuss, which he did and agreed to do it. We called the client right away and decided for us to travel together to Newfoundland from Sunday to Thursday this week for kick off meetings. (Our time available to travel was very limited due to my pregnancy.)

D then said he had to be in Toronto Sunday night, and had to be home by Wednesday night. He leads a band and they had a big gig on Thursday night, and rehearsal on Sunday night. I understood that he had really short notice, so we arranged for him to join me on Monday afternoon and leave on Wednesday afternoon, while I stuck with the Sunday-Thursday plan. I had to assure the client that he'd be OK even missing a couple of days' worth of meetings.

Anyway so the travel went as planned. I was a little annoyed that he only packed jeans and crumpled shirts, but there wasn't much I could do about it.

Before he left on Wednesday, I told him that I'd be in the office on Friday (today) and he could come in then to get started on next steps. He said OK.

Then when I got home, I saw an email from him saying, oh the gig is going to go really late on Thursday night and I have some stuff to do on Friday so can I start after the weekend instead.

At this point I'm really annoyed. I have less than 2 months left before I go on mat leave and I really want to maximize that time to work on this project. I'm worried about how committed he is to this because he'll have to lead this once I'm gone. I've assured the client many times that a Masters student is capable of leading this but now I'm not so sure.

Do you think I'm being too hard on him?

... And would you say anything about the inappropriateness of his attire during the trip? Stick out tongue

eouellet · May 2011

Wow, all of that sounds quite unprofessional. I think I'd address your concerns with your boss and try to come up with a proper course of action together. I would also mention the attire issue to your boss as an aside, and ask if he might be willing to speak to the student about needing to dress more professionally when meeting with clients (this seems like a total no-brainer to me, but maybe the kid is really clueless?)

eeeeva · May 2011

Yikes I would be nervous too. Have you mentioned it to your boss your concerns? If you haven't yet, I would talk to the Master's student. It seems like he wanted to do this but doesn't have the time to commit to it.

I would mention that you understand the short notice on timing for the trip, but being apart of ___ does take responsibility. Including showing up on Friday even though he had a late night. That is something in the real working world you don't do. You can't call up your boss and say I've had a late night I'll see you next week.

I don't think you are being to hard on him. He wanted this position he also needs to show that he is worthy of having it. So far it seems he's a bit lazy and has other things that are more important.

eeeeva · May 2011

Also it is your name and reputation on the line. You've said that he has the chops to do the job and so far he doesn't. It's your job and you don't want his poor job to reflect on you.

abarber340 · May 2011

eeeeva:
Yikes I would be nervous too. Have you mentioned it to your boss your concerns? If you haven't yet, I would talk to the Master's student. It seems like he wanted to do this but doesn't have the time to commit to it.
I would mention that you understand the short notice on timing for the trip, but being apart of ___ does take responsibility. Including showing up on Friday even though he had a late night. That is something in the real working world you don't do. You can't call up your boss and say I've had a late night I'll see you next week.
I don't think you are being to hard on him. He wanted this position he also needs to show that he is worthy of having it. So far it seems he's a bit lazy and has other things that are more important.

This is the part that bothers me the most. Yes, the wrong attire is a problem, but maybe he didn't know better (although if he wasn't sure what to pack he should have asked). But showing up to work on a work day should be a given. Work should be his #1 priority, not sleeping in because his band had a late gig the night before.

You're definitely not being too hard on him. I would talk to him about it and if that doesn't get you anywhere then I would talk to your boss.

crystaljkbj · May 2011

Everything about that situation would bother me. I think you should talk to your boss about it. Just like PP said this is your name on line. Maybe he is just clueless, and needs to be brought into the real world of work.

amandasw · May 2011

My thoughts: there are PLENTY of other students out there who don't have jobs (I imagine based on every other field and the economy) who would work twice as hard. I feel like someone should make him aware of this...

karimychel · May 2011

I would address this with your supervisor. The clothing could be a big problem down the road. So he's in a band? Is he going to not show up for this assignment every time he has a late show? Or was that his last show for a while so he could focus on work?

The sooner the issues are addressed the better, because as you stated, your time's limited, but it's also your name and reputation on the line. You'll be an easy
"fall man" for him if you go out on maternity leave and he's left to finish it.

NeptoonGrl1 · May 2011

I agree with what's been said thus far. However, I would approach the situation with a two pronged approach. 1) Make your boss aware of what's going on but also tell him you plan on talking to the master's student about his behavior, improper dress, etc. This shows your boss that you recognize a problem but you are handling it; and 2) Tell the master's student that he needs to take shape up.

rxbeth · May 2011

NeptoonGrl:
I agree with what's been said thus far. However, I would approach the situation with a two pronged approach. 1) Make your boss aware of what's going on but also tell him you plan on talking to the master's student about his behavior, improper dress, etc. This shows your boss that you recognize a problem but you are handling it; and 2) Tell the master's student that he needs to take shape up.

This exactly. I don't put up with shiit.

Work situation WDYT (long sorry!)

Re: Work situation WDYT (long sorry!)

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