How do you handle an irresponsible co-worker when he's the bosses friend?
Asked by Tracey B
My husband is the manager of a small auto parts store; one of three owned by the same person. He is a one man store with another gentleman that does all outside sales and covers every other weekend when my husband has off. The problem is, that this guy is driving business away,and on the weekends that he has to work he screws up the daily deposit, doesn't put the daily freight away. He argues with my husband about how to run the store ( my husband has three years seniority into this store and knows what works). This guy is also a very good friend of the owner, that's how he got the job in the first place. How can my husband tactfully talk to his boss without putting his job on the line?

Best Answer:
Trust me on this: If your husband approaches his boss from a stand point of caring more about the business than his own stree level, he should be fine. For example, rather than telling his boss how annoying the guy's being, he may want to focus more on the complaints that he's gotten from the customers. Don't forget that the reason that his boss opened the store was to make money, if your husband has PROOF that his boss is losing money because of his friend, the boss will be more likely to do something about it. Also, your husband should let the decission rest completely on his bosses shoulders. Tell him NOT to suggest what needs to be done...let the boss figure it out on his own. If all else fails, he can start handing out his boss' email and/or phone # to customers who complain, and ask them to register a FORMAL complaint with his boss. That way the pressure is off of him, and his point is still made.

He can't ... but that does not mean he shouldn't. If he demonstrates with solid information and facts that this jerk is costing him money ... the friendship will be over and the jerk will be gone.
Answered by alsmithjpsnet

things like messing up the deposit would probably come out on paper. i would be like hey bob...with all due respect there seems to be a pattern of discrepencies with Joe, i just thought you should be aware. make sure you husband doesn't have any skelotons or mistakes that he made in the closet because then the boss will be like " well your not perfect either" your husband has to be very proffesional and unbiased...his arguement should be only based on paper proof.
Answered by bobhob222

He should probably look for another job. A co-worker of mine is tight with the boss, and her mistakes are glossed over, and at times, things are twisted to be someone else's fault. The boss will never go against their friend, so your husband should cut his losses now.
Answered by catnip

I think above all, your husband deserves respect and has the responsibility of the store. As such, the co-worker is affecting your husband's job, in which case I think it is the duty of your husband to report to his boss the situation and explain why he's affected. The best way would be in a tacit manner and in a way that doesn't blame anything on the co-worker or make it seem like he's not taking responsibility for his actions. It's best to speak about the actions that are being done instead of the person himself, so say: "The freight is not put away during the weekends as they should", instead of saying, "he's not putting the freight away". You have to impersonalize the situation so it doesn't seem like you're blaming the other person, and intead the boss realizes it's about improving the business.
Answered by leekosagrios

Perhaps, he can tell his boss nicely. Before he does, better analyse the situation first. 1) What is the relationship between the boss and your husband? 2) How has this guy affected your husband's position? 3) In the worse case senario, can he find another job? If your husband can easily find a job with his current skill, then its worth telling the boss, but with carefull consideration on how he would say it, depending on how receptive the boss is to your husband's suggestion. Remember, bosses stay in business by making profit, good business man will be quick to see the bottom line. I have mention several consideration for you to ponder. Think about it, within your own context. Good Luck
Answered by rick

Be a proper Manager and put some KPI's in place that will show how PROFITS drop when the guy is involved. Being Friends doesn't matter if the money's not coming in, and the boss will appreciate the effort....could also show how you can measure the best times to sell/buy etc...
Answered by GiantDave