mander - Posted - 07/07/2026:  12:54:01

For years now, I have noticed that when "they" have to do a bigger than unusual job, "they" get five to six people to help them. However, when I am given a bigger than usual job, I am expected to do it by myself. Today, a newbie let it slip that she understood I preferred to work alone so she would not interfere with the project but to let her know if there was something else I thought she could do. Excuse me?

I have NEVER said I prefer to work alone. What I have said is, "I'd rather work alone than work with people who didn't know what they were doing."

I ask you, are those two ideas the same? Or are my words being twisted?

Other examples of same difference?

steve davis - Posted - 07/07/2026:  13:34:29

You might get help if you don't put conditions on that help.
Do you have folks that don't know what they are doing?
If not it may be best to not raise that issue.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/07/2026:  14:11:10

If one is working with a new employee, one shouldn't expect that person to know exactly what to do. The idea is to show them how the job should be done so they'll know how the next time.

And yes, in my opinion saying you'd rather work alone than with new employees who didn't know what to do is kind of like saying you don't want to teach them, you'd rather to it by yourself.

When I was working, I had a brand new secretary come into the office. She knew nothing about what we did. I had to explain every move we made and work with her to understand why it was done the way it was done. I didn't expect her to jump in and immediately know everything ... or anything.... and our work product.

Nopix - Posted - 07/07/2026:  15:08:37

I'm retired but did play the game for 25 years. That's not very long around here. I discovered, without having a terminal disease, the most precious thing is one's time. I could've wrote a rant. But it takes time.

BanjoLink - Posted - 07/07/2026:  15:18:36

I agree Mander, that it is sometimes easier just to do something yourself, but I think Steve and Sherry are right. I think maybe you ought to see it as a teaching opportunity if it is something they could learn from your experience. Next time maybe, "sure come on and help, maybe I can learn something from you or you from me." You probably already know this!

chuckv97 - Posted - 07/07/2026:  15:23:48

Methinks one should be told that you’re supposed to teach/show the ropes to an inexperienced-in-that-job person,, and for the boss not to assume you’ll “just get the job done in the usual time”.

Owen - Posted - 07/07/2026:  15:45:58

Other examples of same diff??   My mammy used to say, "Six of one, a half dozen of the other."  

I notice you said "people" who didn't know yada, yada ... not "new employees" yada, yada; I'd probably make a mental note if/when the situation arose, but typically if I wasn't specifically charged with teaching the new employee I'd kinda take it in stride.*   Maybe being on salary or being paid by the hour beats piece work in some instances?? 

In construction new guys on a crew was a regular occurrence .... some caught on more quickly than others ... c'est la vie.   

* Latter part of the 70s, one outfit  I worked for was a father-son duo as boss/foreman along with three labourerers.  On one job we were nailing up the partitions for one floor of a smallish 3-story walk-up apartment building. I think I was getting $4.50 per hour and the other two were at $3.00.  I'd nail one end of the plate/studs and they'd do the other.   But, but, but, as often as not when it came time to stand the partition up, one of them would have toe-nailed it to the floor, or nailed the stud on the wrong side of the line. Generally I'd do the fixing. One aft at coffee I half-jokingly mentioned this to the boss and said I "should" (?) be getting $6.00 per hour.  He said "I know, but I can't do that." Mind you I wasn't complaining and things probably tended to "even out" in other aspects of the work.  [Anyhow, that's my story ...  etc.]

Edited by - Owen on 07/07/2026 15:58:30

mander - Posted - 07/09/2026:  03:16:15

I never said they were new employees. Thank you Owen for noticing.

I don't object to training people. I object to "I don't want this person in my department so I'm dumping them on you to deal with." People who do the opposite of what they are told. People who seem to believe, the worse job they do, the less work they will be expected to do. I object to people who follow me around doing nothing but talk, talk, talk, all day while they watch me work. People who go, "oh, you don't like it when this happens? I'm going to be sure to do it that way..."

I don't have a problem with taking the teachable moment. I object to people who aren't willing to learn. I object to an HR person who thinks, the turn-over is so high, it doesn't matter who I hire because they won't be here long anyway. Any yet, some manage to stay and stay and stay.