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Management gaf-new associate refuses to do what I ask him to do.

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A month ago we got a new associate, a transfer from a smaller store from some small town. The guy seemed nice, very knowledgeable and he was a customer service manager for a couple years. But, lately he stopped cooperating with me, I ask him to do something he'll not do it, but do his own thing. He won't even greet me anymore, he just hates my guts for some reason. he thinks it's "beneath him" to be ordered around by someone younger then him, he thinks he could do my job better then I could.

When I told my manager, she just told me to work with him. When talking to my other manager friends, they tell me to watch my back and that he's probably trying to get me fired. Seeing as I'm not a real manager, i can't discipline him or do anything. If he doesn't want to follow orders, I can only bring it to the attention of my manager. Yet seeing as how my manager doesn't care, am I basically SOL? He genuinely makes my job worse and is making me dread going back to work now. He works at the same hours as me 7-4 M-F.
 
Let him make his own bed. Surely he's exhibiting the same behavior with others I imagine.

If not, take a look in the mirror to see if your own communication style is contributing to the problem.
 
You really seem to have a lot of trouble with your work.

If you think that everyone you work with makes your job harder then perhaps you need to look at the common denominator.
 
What kind of things do you ask him to do? Theres a difference between working as a team, and being a bitch.

Simple things that every associates got to do. I'm a nice guy, I never ask him to do anything I wouldn't do. Mainly I need him zoning and doing our returns because I don't have time to do either.
 
Learn the difference between then and than, then you might get more respect than you are getting now
 
Communicate to him that he has to do the things that you ask of him and that if he does not, then you have no choice but to report him to your boss. Inform your boss what you have told him. If he continues to ignore you then inform the boss.

You could also ask him why he hasn't done something that you asked him to do. By not saying anything every time he disregards your orders he proves that you are not really the boss.
 
vince5.gif
 
A month ago we got a new associate, a transfer from a smaller store from some small town. The guy seemed nice, very knowledgeable and he was a customer service manager for a couple years. But, lately he stopped cooperating with me, I ask him to do something he'll not do it, but do his own thing. He won't even greet me anymore, he just hates my guts for some reason. he thinks it's "beneath him" to be ordered around by someone younger then him, he thinks he could do my job better then I could.

When I told my manager, she just told me to work with him. When talking to my other manager friends, they tell me to watch my back and that he's probably trying to get me fired. Seeing as I'm not a real manager, i can't discipline him or do anything. If he doesn't want to follow orders, I can only bring it to the attention of my manager. Yet seeing as how my manager doesn't care, am I basically SOL? He genuinely makes my job worse and is making me dread going back to work now. He works at the same hours as me 7-4 M-F.

Continue doing your job. when you ask him to do something and he refuses, document it. Date, time, nature of insubordination. set aside some time to talk to your boss later on, and bring copies of said documentation.

Covers your ass, and will reflect on him when it's time for performance reviews, raises, etc.

No offence, but you seem to clash with a lot of people at your work. Perhaps it's time to examine what you are doing wrong?

Not familiar with OP's post history, but if this is true this is the bigger issue. If no one at work respects you, then you're not going to have much luck managing them. Figure out why you keep having issues.
 
The first thing you need to do is determine does he not understand what to do or does he just refuse to do it.

If he doesn't understand how the tasks assigned are supposed to be done the you can retrain and work with him to get him to the level he needs to be at.

If he doesn't WANT to do them or refuses to do them then you need to start the discipline process and make sure you document everything.
 
...When I told my manager, she just told me to work with him. ...

Sound advice. Managed a retail outlet for a couple of years (not gonna name the company). It's a common thing. I recommend you stop trying to tell him what to do and just work with him. If problems arise, bring it to your superior's attention. If you need things done, let him know and be done with it. If it doesn't get done, let your boss handle it. I wouldn't get paranoid about anyone trying to get you fired, but do be attentive to making sure you're always getting your own work done. It may be a case where your boss needs to be more directly involved in handling this guy. Getting inside his head, I don't think, is going to help you at all. Just stay focused on your own job and responsibilities.

I always try to approach my coworkers as adults because, well, they are adults. If they prove otherwise, then you can approach them in a more "micro" manner. It could be you're too much in his work. I don't know. But like I said, stay focused on your work. My two-cent's worth.
 
You really seem to have a lot of trouble with your work.

If you think that everyone you work with makes your job harder then perhaps you need to look at the common denominator.
Or their company just has a shitty management structure. Making someone a manager without giving them any real managerial powers is kind of dumb.
 
To the people assuming it's OP's fault because he's had difficulty with co-workers before, I just want to play devil's advocate for a sec and say let's assume it's entirely possible he's just had shitty luck with co-workers and has to work with some really unpleasant people. It's entirely possible and I don't see reason to assume it's the OP's fault that these people are being difficult to deal with.
 
Lol just saw his post history

Geez dude, maybe it's just you?

yeah, I'm beginning to see some things that are sort of damning.

I'm 26 and never ever had a g/f irl or had sex/kissed. I've dated online and had a couple moments. I hate it, but, I don't really party and all the cute girls I see at work are married with kids. I never ever see any single girls.

Waiting for marriage is one thing, but to never have any kind of relationship at the age of 26 at ALL means OP may have an issue connecting to people. You may not be cut out for management.

To the people assuming it's OP's fault because he's had difficulty with co-workers before, I just want to play devil's advocate for a sec and say let's assume it's entirely possible he's just had shitty luck with co-workers and has to work with some really unpleasant people. It's entirely possible and I don't see reason to assume it's the OP's fault that these people are being difficult to deal with.

Possible, but beginning to stretch plausibility.
 
I don't want him fired. He's useful, but, he's just abrasive. I just want him to change, and stop creating friction between us.

If you're not a manager then why are you giving him orders?

Because I still can do that. I just have limited powers I can't write him up, I can't force him to work (well I could if I got my manager or my supervisor, though we currently don't have one overseeing this area), but I manage the department. Associates aren't dealing with vendors, or setting new mods, or given an email and notes.

As far as management goes I'm at the very bottom of the totem pole. Most places don't call us Department managers, they call us Merchandise Supervisors.
 
Seems like OP has been put into a position of responsibility without any real authority to back it up. Bad situation to be in.
 
Possible, but beginning to stretch plausibility.

Okay, that might connote some difficulties interacting with women (or it might be connote simply what the OP said, that he's not around a lot of single women he even could flirt with or ask out, or it might be entirely unrelated), but it doesn't necessarily mean he can't be a good manager. I'm confident there are plenty of managers out there who haven't dated much and are able to do their job without significant issue.
 
Okay, I'm really starting to think the problem is the OP in all his "woe is me, my co-workers hate me" stories. I wonder what information the OP has been leaving out in these topics.

How is it my fault? Why is that unreasonable that I'm having issues?
Lol just saw his post history

Geez dude, maybe it's just you?

Why are you going through my posting history?

yeah, I'm beginning to see some things that are sort of damning.



Waiting for marriage is one thing, but to never have any kind of relationship at the age of 26 at ALL means OP may have an issue connecting to people. You may not be cut out for management.



Possible, but beginning to stretch plausibility.

yes I'm a virgin, who cares? I've never tried. I don't really go bar hopping, and I haven't met anyone, or really tried. I just don't care enough. I'll try one day, maybe. I'm lazy, I mean I don't dwell on it. It's a goal I'll get too one day, or never.


man fuck you. Why are you digging through my post history? I said stupid shit, I still say stupid shit. What relevance does any of that have? It's not on my tag, so who cares. I dunno. It's like pointless shit man.
 
Op, just request to be taken off this "manager" duty. You don't like it and aren't good at it.
 
Okay, that might connote some difficulties interacting with women (or it might be connote simply what the OP said, that he's not around a lot of single women he even could flirt with or ask out, or it might be entirely unrelated), but it doesn't necessarily mean he can't be a good manager. I'm confident there are plenty of managers out there who haven't dated much and are able to do their job without significant issue.

Management is less about relying on a badge or a title to get things done than it is about being able to interact with people. Again, no intimate relationships at ALL by 26 (despite the desire) as well as persistent failures in the work place isn't bad luck, that's a pattern.

There are usually two different types of management paths in business- one for individual producers, another for leadership and leadership development. though typically people from the one category get drafted into the other, they're two very different skill sets.

Why are you going through my posting history?

I wasn't the first one. Someone else brought up other difficulties managing people at the workplace and I wanted to know what those were before commenting further. That particular post leapt out at me as problematic. Don't want your posting history brought up? don't post it.

yes I'm a virgin, who cares? I've never tried. I don't really go bar hopping, and I haven't met anyone, or really tried. I just don't care enough. I'll try one day, maybe. I'm lazy, I mean I don't dwell on it. It's a goal I'll get too one day, or never.

You're overly defensive and lack reading comprehension. I went out of my way to point out being a virgin isn't the issue. Not being able to establish any intimate relationships at ALL by 26 despite the desire to is a red flag that you may have issues interacting with others. And before you continue to get upset, I might want to point out that I'm currently a human resources manager with a VERY long history of recruitment and training. Knowing what to look for when putting people in positions is what I'm paid to do, and I'm saying you may have an issue.
 
Document, document, document. When things don't get done that you have asked, get with a manager who can do something and both you ask the associate why things didn't get done.
 
Management is less about relying on a badge or a title to get things done than it is about being able to interact with people. Again, no intimate relationships at ALL by 26 (despite the desire) as well as persistent failures in the work place isn't bad luck, that's a pattern.

There are usually two different types of management paths in business- one for individual producers, another for leadership and leadership development. though typically people from the one category get drafted into the other, they're two very different skill sets.

Oh, I see your point and I can't argue with your logic. I'm just saying these patterns you're perceiving about the OP are just conjecture. We don't know him and despite his lack of intimate relationships (which I don't feel are really any of my business, although I understand he has shared this information publicly so I'm not criticizing you for bringing it into the conversation), we don't know that he's not doing as good a job as anyone could do in the position he's in (of limited managerial power, which as a poster said above is inherently going to be a difficult position to be in).
 
Op, just request to be taken off this "manager" duty. You don't like it and aren't good at it.

I can't, I can't justify the pay cut.

Management is less about relying on a badge or a title to get things done than it is about being able to interact with people. Again, no intimate relationships at ALL by 26 (despite the desire) as well as persistent failures in the work place isn't bad luck, that's a pattern.

There are usually two different types of management paths in business- one for individual producers, another for leadership and leadership development. though typically people from the one category get drafted into the other, they're two very different skill sets.

How is no intimate relations at all a bad thing? I really have never put fourth the effort. Wait, why are we talking about this here?
 
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man fuck you. Why are you digging through my post history? I said stupid shit, I still say stupid shit. What relevance does any of that have? It's not on my tag, so who cares. I dunno. It's like pointless shit man.
Someone bumped it, it is at the top of off topic.
 
Management is less about relying on a badge or a title to get things done than it is about being able to interact with people. Again, no intimate relationships at ALL by 26 (despite the desire) as well as persistent failures in the work place isn't bad luck, that's a pattern.

There are usually two different types of management paths in business- one for individual producers, another for leadership and leadership development. though typically people from the one category get drafted into the other, they're two very different skill sets.



I wasn't the first one. Someone else brought up other difficulties managing people at the workplace and I wanted to know what those were before commenting further. That particular post leapt out at me as problematic. Don't want your posting history brought up? don't post it.



You're overly defensive and lack reading comprehension. I went out of my way to point out being a virgin isn't the issue. Not being able to establish any intimate relationships at ALL by 26 despite the desire to is a red flag that you may have issues interacting with others. And before you continue to get upset, I might want to point out that I'm currently a human resources manager with a VERY long history of recruitment and training. Knowing what to look for when putting people in positions is what I'm paid to do, and I'm saying you may have an issue.

because you're accusing me of being a failure. I have friends, I just don't have a girlfriend.I don't see the big deal. You're the one digging through my post history. I never posted it, you did.
 
because you're accusing me of being a failure. I have friends, I just don't have a girlfriend.I don't see the big deal. You're the one digging through my post history. I never posted it, you did.

I said no such thing, but you ARE being very defensive about it and not addressing what I actually said.

If this is how you interact with people at work, i can see what the problem is.
 
I said no such thing, but you ARE being very defensive about it and not addressing what I actually said.

If this is how you interact with people at work, i can see what the problem is.

Yes I'm being defensive because you're accusing my lack of relations as the problem. You're jumping to conclusions and digging through my post history. I do need to work on communicating my intent and stop putting it off.
 
Op are there and costcos around you? Or a big chain super market? Or a target? Walmart is clearly not for you, especially if pennies are what are giving you all this stress.
 
so you have manager duties but cannot sanction him? something is not right.

Talk to the guy. Invite him for lunch and build rapport. Also, have your manager and him meet and go over the chain of command, and set clear expectations of your and his responsabilities. If there are no expectations, no actions can't be taken
 
Op are there and costcos around you? Or a big chain super market? Or a target? Walmart is clearly not for you, especially if pennies are what are giving you all this stress.

Walmart gives more hours. It's retail, you'll never be happy in retail. That's why I tell people to not goof off in College otherwise you'll be working retail...forever.
 
OP I apologise for bringing up your last thread. Reading more about the restrictions placed on your role it does seem like you're in a tight spot and if you're not doing especially well financially it's really shitty of me to kick you while you're down.
 
Yes I'm being defensive because you're accusing my lack of relations as the problem. You're jumping to conclusions and digging through my post history. I do need to work on communicating my intent and stop putting it off.

I pointed out that the lack of any personal relationships by 26 despite the desire for one as indicative of A potential problem interacting with others. It is, full stop.

ON TOP OF THAT you have persistent issues interacting with others in the workplace. This is another sign of potential problems interacting with others.

If you want to be in denial about it that's your call. Since none of us know you personally, your post history is what we have to go on. Should we simply ignore the things you post, and assume all of this is happening in a vacuum?
 
I remember a topic where you asked someone to straighten up a section before a DM visit and he didn't touch it, and this sounds kinda similar. Do you follow up on tasks before they enter into total 'failure to perform' territory? Nobody wants to micromanage, and you shouldn't do that. But if we're talking about a 4 hour shift or whatever, and 2+ hours have passed with no action on the tasks you've assigned, asking 'when do you plan to take care of X task' is pretty reasonable. And since you don't have any disciplinary power, this is probably about the only tool you have in your toolbox: consistent followups.
 
I pointed out that the lack of any personal relationships by 26 despite the desire for one as indicative of A potential problem interacting with others. It is, full stop.

ON TOP OF THAT you have persistent issues interacting with others in the workplace. This is another sign of potential problems interacting with others.

If you want to be in denial about it that's your call. Since none of us know you personally, your post history is what we have to go on. Should we simply ignore the things you post, and assume all of this is happening in a vacuum?

Or it could just be the fact that he's never held a girls hand before has nothing to do with that he has had two shitty employees at of all places Walmart.
 
First up, phrase it as a question. "Hey [x], do you think you could go zone aisle 3 for me?" If they deny your request, try to beseech them with your own business. "Look [x] I've got to reset these mods and would really appreciate any assistance." If they see YOU working, they should be encouraged to do likewise. Make sure you let them know every day you appreciate their efforts, and do what you can to make that appreciation known (whether this is through in-company incentives/merits or just a simple thank you doesn't matter). If none of this works then go to your manager again with documented problems. If that manager doesn't care about the problem then go to their manager, all the way up the totem pole until someone helps you deal with it.

At no point try to be confrontational, abusive, or negative. I know all too well how difficult some asinine idiots can be in retail, but I've always found that by being a hard worker, helping others, and showing my appreciation, I've been largely liked and listened to by all of my own associates (eg today we got out 2 hours late, but even at the end of that period I had people coming up and asking me if there was anything else I needed before they left).

Edit: You work at Walmart? I don't know how much overlap there is between Sams and Walmart, but if you guys offer the "high five" incentive you should make use of it, as small a reward as it might be.
 
I pointed out that the lack of any personal relationships by 26 despite the desire for one as indicative of A potential problem interacting with others. It is, full stop.

ON TOP OF THAT you have persistent issues interacting with others in the workplace. This is another sign of potential problems interacting with others.

If you want to be in denial about it that's your call. Since none of us know you personally, your post history is what we have to go on. Should we simply ignore the things you post, and assume all of this is happening in a vacuum?

How is it? I interact fine with people, what do you want me to do? I get a useless idiot who makes rape jokes, or a useful guy with an ego problem. How is that on me again? How am I at fault here? You're jumping to conclusions assuming because of issues at work it must be my fault. Clearly I have no idea how to talk to people, clearly.

yes I'm partially at fault, yes I could have be more clear at communicating. yes I shouldn't have gone straight to management when he made that rape joke, that was a dick move. unfortunately if a customer heard him say that, then shit would have hit the fan. in retail most people aren't cut out to be management, what else is new? I'm hardly unique.

Ignore the stupid shit I said years ago just to get a tag? yes. I was tag fishing and got juniored for that. I'm sorry, but, call me skeptical if you claim to "know" how someone is by simply reading them through the internet, and I apologize for being a dick that was uncalled for. But, you should understand I don't enjoy having my stupid tag fishing threads being brought up, or people digging through my post history. Maybe you do, but, I sure as hell don't. it's embarrassing, I prefer to forget about my painful attempts at tag fishing.
 
Okay, I'm really starting to think the problem is the OP in all his "woe is me, my co-workers hate me" stories. I wonder what information the OP has been leaving out in these topics.

Yep.

I've been managing people for about 7 years now at my job, I've seen all the stories. The guys who constantly have problems with their teams are generally shitty managers.
 
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