Good employee with bad attitude - need some sage advice

[DPM]

My shop consists of myself and one employee. He's been working here for 3 years and he's been extensively trained over time and I consider him the best and most valuable employee I've ever had. He produces and contributes greatly to the shop output. But here's the rub... He's a moody guy and carries a chip on his shoulder. At times, it's difficult to approach the guy on matters because he wants to challenge or question my reasoning and he will sometimes snap back. His bad attitude generally pollutes the work environment on a daily basis unless he's in a good mood.
I'm at a point in my life where I want peace and tranquility in my life and I dread this kind of crap.

Not sure if I should keep the guy and deal with it or find a new employee and start all over again.

I'm looking for some sage advice from others who have been in similar situations.

 

[empower]

My shop consists of myself and one employee. He's been working here for 3 years and he's been extensively trained over time and I consider him the best and most valuable employee I've ever had. He produces and contributes greatly to the shop output. But here's the rub... He's a moody guy and carries a chip on his shoulder. At times, it's difficult to approach the guy on matters because he wants to challenge or question my reasoning and he will sometimes snap back. His bad attitude generally pollutes the work environment on a daily basis unless he's in a good mood.
I'm at a point in my life where I want peace and tranquility in my life and I dread this kind of crap.

Not sure if I should keep the guy and deal with it or find a new employee and start all over again.

I'm looking for some sage advice from others who have been in similar situations.

maybe he's questioning you to learn, not to challenge you?
i was that guy when i worked at spacex, always asked a lot of questions. in the end got fired for it because my manager thought i was challenging him, when i was just hoping to learn as much as i could because everything there was just stupid cool.

 

[DPM]

I understand what you're saying and it's too bad management didn't realize your eagerness to learn. I'm always willing to teach a guy who wants to learn and I always tell employees that I'm there to answer their questions.

 

[john.k]

A/ holes only ever get worse......fire him out of there before you get an ulcer.

 

[LKeithR]

...I'm at a point in my life where I want peace and tranquility in my life and I dread this kind of crap...

I think that's your answer. No matter how good the guy is, if he poisons the workplace that bad he's making you suffer...

 

[gustafson]

Treat him like a child

When he does something you consider outrageous, call him on it, you are the boss. Quietly, not yelling, something to the effect of
'Why do you think that is appropriate?"

Personally I prefer subtlety. A raised eyebrow, a deliberate pause, "Anyway, as I was saying..."

But it sounds like he is past that.

I think he deserves the opportunity to realize his behavior is unacceptable.


Besides the fact it is impossible to get help, and he is trained


If it continues after you have spoken to him about it, call him in the office and speak to him again

This is a good reason even in a small shop to have yearly reviews, written, where you can bring up achievements and goals

The goal in this case being a human

 

[AARONT]

Have you talked to him about it? If not, then this should be your first step.

 

[jbacc]

If he is asking questions to learn but coming across as challenging you then he needs to change how his message is being received. I don't know about you, but I am not an interpreter. Each of us has a responsibility to communicate our message the way we want it received! Sounds to me he needs to be told that and if he does not change, send him packing.

That's my $.02.

 

[Ishira]

Proper communication often falls flat in the work environment, especially between manager and employee. Its important to remember that even though he can be difficult to talk to, talking to him is still the best way to go about any problem. You're both adults, and if you have respect for this person, then you ought to communicate with him how he comes off, and explain to him how it effects you and the work place. He might not even realize whats really going on. If he has respect for you, then he will take it to heart and at least attempt to improve. Now, keep in mind that this guy has probably always had this kind of disposition. If he does attempt to improve, it might take time! People are people and there is always going to be trial and error.

But the takeaway here is: talk. communicate. reach an understanding. He's a good employee, and probably a good person! He just needs to be aware of what the situation is.

 

[Scottl]

That's a tough call. Good workers are hard to find and the moodiness and attitude may be related to his outside life.

You mentioned that he "snaps back". That somewhat suggests that perhaps your approach is a bit confrontational. Perhaps sometime when he is in a better state of mind gently ask him if something you do aggravates HIM?

"... I consider him the best and most valuable employee I've ever had. He produces and contributes greatly to the shop output."

Given that statement I'd seriously suggest trying to work with him, as a replacement might be more pleasant but less useful and productive, quality work is essential to business. What's more important, the social aspect or the work?

 

[BT Fabrication]

My shop consists of myself and one employee. He's been working here for 3 years and he's been extensively trained over time and I consider him the best and most valuable employee I've ever had. He produces and contributes greatly to the shop output. But here's the rub... He's a moody guy and carries a chip on his shoulder. At times, it's difficult to approach the guy on matters because he wants to challenge or question my reasoning and he will sometimes snap back. His bad attitude generally pollutes the work environment on a daily basis unless he's in a good mood.
I'm at a point in my life where I want peace and tranquility in my life and I dread this kind of crap.

Not sure if I should keep the guy and deal with it or find a new employee and start all over again.

I'm looking for some sage advice from others who have been in similar situations.

the snapping back could be also due to stresses in his life. maybe there is something at home he isn't sharing, like financial issues at home?
either way, you need to ask him the direct way and ask why are you loosing you shit at me. what is the motive and end goal of it all? there is always a reason why they are angry and holding it back. be open, they will trust you to talk to them if you inquire to them also about what is wrong. ask them what you are doing wrong, without any issues of repercussion, ask what you can improve on for him as to not hear the backlash as its not helping the communication situation.

 

[Antarctica]

Address the moodiness one time with him. If that doesn't fix it, gone.

Can't stand that shit.

 

[standardparts]

Often wonder if some who post this type of issue do so hoping the employee will see it, believe it is about him/her and find another place to work. Easy way out.

Could be the person who is baffled by the employee who gets pissed off just might be the cause of friction in the first place and simply is unable to see their own flaws.

Best way to find out is discharge the problem employee and see how it goes the next time.

 

[charlie gary]

Good mood days, bad mood days? Could be he's struggling with something like bipolar disorder. Sounds like a friend of mine. He finally found the right doctor who did extensive blood chemistry analysis and told him what medication he needed to right his ship. Only took about 45 years of living hell.

 

[idacal]

Try to think back when you first hired him was his communication this way? I have been dealing with it also with my guys, was going to get rid of both of them go back to a one person show but have a job to finish i have to have help on, so i didnt do it. But a lot of it is me, i want peace and quiet right now, dont want to deal with employees, profits were down, wages up, just sick of it, the only persson who didnt get a raise last year wqs me but its my mental health that has suffered. They really havent changed in the last 8 months, i have. Still thinking about letting them go but going to give it a month or 2.

 

[CITIZEN F16]

Have you talked to him about it? If not, then this should be your first step.

Sit him down and have a talk, if someone isn't confronted about off putting behavior some may not realize it is out of line. He also could be one of those guys who can't check his personal life at the door, or he might have a drug or alcohol problem.

 

[DDoug]

Sit him down and have a talk, if someone isn't confronted about off putting behavior some may not realize it is out of line. He also could be one of those guys who can't check his personal life at the door, or he might have a drug or alcohol problem.

yup, what happens if a customer drops by ?
Worse, if customer comes 'round, and your not there, only Taz.

 

[michiganbuck]

RE: [He's a moody guy and carries a chip on his shoulder.]

You are the boss and so always 100% right.. He is just a worker and so always wrong.

I have/had the same problem..with my 40 years in manufacturing I have seen/done almost everything.

I said we should not measure every part, so I made a set of gauges (on my own time at my shop) and said once you/we trust these gauges we will be quicker and have little to no scrap (mostly table saw cutting to +-1/32, 1/64th or so).
I don't want to do that, I rather we measure everything he says.

Just walking around the shop looking/searching for the Yo-Yo is a huge waste of time.

Yes, we had many. many poor shop practices like this. A yo-yo should be stationed/kept at the saw, for one.

One day he said, I don't know how you can do double the work of two guys that I hire when you are gone.

Yes, this is my son-in-law, and I was working for work for free, often 8 to 12hr days, it got so bad now he has to hire his help.

Consider that your worker might be right perhaps 50% of the time.

RE: [ You said, "I consider him the best and most valuable employee I've ever had."]

But you should fire that hard-nose guy and then hire 2 or 3 guys to replace him, so you may go belly-up with a smile.

 

[gustafson]

Address the moodiness one time with him. If that doesn't fix it, gone.

Can't stand that shit.

And then work all night because you cannot figure out how to communicate with an employee

WOuldn't feel like a win to me

 

[Shawnrs]

My shop consists of myself and one employee. He's been working here for 3 years and he's been extensively trained over time and I consider him the best and most valuable employee I've ever had. He produces and contributes greatly to the shop output. But here's the rub... He's a moody guy and carries a chip on his shoulder. At times, it's difficult to approach the guy on matters because he wants to challenge or question my reasoning and he will sometimes snap back. His bad attitude generally pollutes the work environment on a daily basis unless he's in a good mood.
I'm at a point in my life where I want peace and tranquility in my life and I dread this kind of crap.

Not sure if I should keep the guy and deal with it or find a new employee and start all over again.

I'm looking for some sage advice from others who have been in similar situations.

I would not call him your best and most valuable employee you have ever had for the main reason you have a problem with him. Here are a couple of things that are happening with this guy, 1) Other employees will start seeing the piss poor attitude he is displaying, 2) Employees start talking about the crap this guys gets away with. 3) He is creating a toxic environment with the attitude. 4) You are part of the problem not dealing with this guy. 5) Maybe you are holding this guy back from being successful. 6) this guy has too many personal issues.