How to effectively tell someone off?

So, how did it go today, Clue? Was it painless?

 

He's had a lucky escape. I didn't get time today. I asked the lads if they'd like me to make time and the verdict was that we'll see how it goes over the next few days. I'm still going to have words maybe on friday, but the sense of urgency has gone for now.

 

I have a feeling this one isn't going to change from an ugly duckling into a swan. And if he doesn't, don't feel it as a personal failure clueless1.

 

Hi clueless, didn't read all the posts, so don't know if I am just repeating someones opinion... I think our brain mainly and subconsciously operates on pleasure / displeasure. So if the lad will experience unpleasant reactions he will probably try to change his ways -you said he was always ok for a few days afterwards. So he is capable/willing of changing. It just needs repeated (unpleasant) responce again if he falls back to his old ways. Therefore if it gets a bit more unpleasant for him some day, he will learn the lesson even better Sometimes it's not good to be to nice, because there is no "displeasure effect". Letting the "lynch mob" having a go might be not so bad after all unless you think they will be inappropriately severe. They wouldn't beat him up, would they?

 

I doubt it. At least not physically. At least most of them wouldn't. We have one lad who occasionally amuses us by smashing things up when he loses his rag. A wireless mouse was the last thing to meet its untimely demise at his hands, but he's never made any aggressive moves towards any of us.

 

Take them all to the PUB buy them a pint, then announce that due to candidate X and name him, there will be no Christmas bonus this year
Then nip out the back way

Sorted, he will either work his balls off or leave voluntarily very shortly Job's a good un

Jack McH

 

What a total cop out ... get rid of the lazy git ...

 

Some people from all strata of society don't have, as Rabbie Burns said "the giftie.. tae see irsels as ithers see us".
Sit the guy down, talk to him about how he feels in the workplace and how he thinks the other workers feel about him and why.
If you really want to go the whole hog ask him if he'll agree to a non-confrontational,no-blame meeting with one or a couple of the other staff where all parties can express their feelings about the situation and the effects of his critical comments. He's young, inexperienced and clueless about the world of work but could with help turn into a star worker.
This approach does work in many situations. But if it doesn't then give him a reality check and tell him his days and references are in sharp decline!

Even old Harry Stottle (aka Aristotle) seemed to have the same problem with youth circa the 380s BC. -
"The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they alone knew everything and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them."

 

Nice one, Dave. My version is my own and simply goes "Twas ever thus"!

Victoria, I have been out of the regular workplace for 6 years now so obviously have lost touch with a lot of the current T&C of employment. However, I have recently set up in business in a small way as a freelance occupational health advisor and naturally did some research about MY T&C and legalities and creating a draft contract to use. One place I called was ACAS where I spoke to a young man who seemed very informed about all these things. Imagine my surprise when he started talking about annual leave entitlement! In vain did I try to explain to him that each day of work would be a one off because I would be contracted to do medicals on a certain number of employees and that would be the end of it. As we talked and he pointed me to the appropriate legislation, it became clear that no matter what I believed about my status, once I was engaged to do this work, in legal terms I became a 'worker' and therefore entitled to annual leave either actual or by recompense. I have a contract for two 7hr days next week and when I worked out my AL entitlement, it came to 1½hrs! I decided it really wasn't worth the effort much less upsetting my client!

 

Daisees, I have gone on line-and pulled up the current T&C of Employment and things have definitely changed since I was in the workplace! Can't say I think the changes are all for the better ......