New guy at work on my nerves, strange habits

[dfc]

Get a squirt bottle filled with water and every time he grabs something of yours spray him in the face and yell "NO! BAD KITTY!"

I think I like this better than my advice.

 

[dfc]

I am still trying to feel him out I guess, it would be easier if I knew him better. He has only been working with me 2less than 2 weeks and I am only on the job myself 5 months. It's not like he is digging into my bag or anything, just too curious I guess. Again, I need to work with him so I want to be civil. I am just thinking how to go about it that is all.

BTW I am very much an adult for those who think I am not...that is why I am not going to my manager, punching him in the face, telling him to F off etc. I was kind of venting I guess until I find the right moment. He is obviously not intentionaly rude, otherwise he seems nice. It is just me and another woman and then him working alone all night 10pm-6am so we need to work together. I just thought his actions strange and wanted to know what you thought. You have to admit it is awkward to have and bring this up, right?

Bring up the option of an MFF. See how awkward that is.

 

[dfc]

I am assuming you are talking about previous advise to go to management? I had no intentions in this case. I hope you don't mean you can't stand I brought this up for discussion because I can't deal with my own problems...

No, I work with people who go to management before going to someone they have an issue with. It's annoying.

 

[dfc]

Being an ADULT means reporting things when needed, Managers are there for a REASON, it is not "tattling" to expect them to do their job, which is to, at least in part,MANAGE EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR. In this situation, handling it yourself is NOT WISE, If you chew the guy out, and he goes to the manager and says he feels that you discriminated against him because of his skin color, culture, etc YOU may very well end up being the one FIRED. Hence why I say LET MANAGEMENT HANDLE IT!

Who's talking about chewing someone out? If that's your first response (as is somewhat apparent from your reply to me) then yeah, you'll get yourself into trouble. A lot of people know how to deal with a situation without "chewing someone out". Just because you make things worse by going from 0MPH to 100MPH doesn't mean everyone else does.

BTW, what's up with all of the bold words?

 

[beerloaf]

No, I work with people who go to management before going to someone they have an issue with. It's annoying.

Most people are that way nowdays due to not wanting a confrontation. Simply a bunch of p*****s. I prefer to handle things face to face but I also work with others who are the same way. If I screw up I expect others to tell me so that I can fix it. And I will do the same for them. Simple as that. Sounds like your new African friend needs to meet Mr Backhand and needs to be b***h slapped. In reality I think its just culture shock for him and needs someone to point out the proper way to do things. If that doesn't work, refer back to Mr Backhand.

beerloaf

 

[GoldMiner]

Oh..and he comes into work an hour early when no one is here, only been here a few weeks. I wonder what he looks through then???

That's when he's rubbing your phone handset, keyboard, stapler , etc.... on his crotch.

 

[JohnTheBrewist]

Get a squirt bottle filled with water and every time he grabs something of yours spray him in the face and yell "NO! BAD KITTY!"

Maybe just ask him why he's always grabbing stuff?

I think both of these are the best answers so far. Going to a supervisor should really be a last resort. It will likely resolve your problem, but your supervisor will think less of you for not being able to handle it yourself, and your coworker will no longer want to cooperate with you.

I've been in management for more than 20 years. I have a BA in organizational leadership and a MA in negotiation and conflict resolution, so I know a little of what I'm talking about.

I believe that what he is doing is his way of being friendly and playful, and is probably to some extent cultural. But, the best way for you to handle this is to explain how his actions affect you personally, and not worry about cultural differences or trying to teach him "How we do things in America".

Explain to him that when he takes things without asking, for you, it is a sign of disrespect. Tell him that for you to work well together he needs to respect your personal space and belongings. Tell him that looking at what's on your computer screen is an invasion of your privacy.

If that doesn't work, get out the squirt gun.

 

[jonmohno]

This is what i usually do, keep my distance. View from the outside.

 

[fifelee]

A lot of abrupt things can be said without conflict as long as you say it with a smile and make sure your body language isn't aggressive. As he grabs something..."Dude, hold on...it is usually best to ask before you grab things off of other peoples desk." Or if he is leaning in too close ask him to take a chair and say, "If you are that close I can't see you very well"

He might be a little hurt, so a few hours later say something nice to him so he knows you aren't pissed. Do that a few times and he will start to learn our culture.

 

[jgln]

Next opportunity to tell him politely I am going to. But tonight I had another similar instance. He asked me how to do something I do and I said sure, but I told him as long as I am responsible for it I am doing it. When it becomes yours you can do it.

Ok so I take him out to the equipment and begin to take the cover off the front of one of the units, without hesitation he starts pulling the cover off another unit...I go "Wow, did I tell you to take that off?? Don't touch anything unless I tell you too!" I am supposed to be showing this guy how and he jumps right in not having a clue what he is doing. There was no reason to touch that unit but he did. Good thing I was not throwing switches, he would of had one switched before I could stop him. Told me he was helping me and seemed sorry. But the question why would you touch something unless you are told to when you don’t know what you are doing?

He is dangerous. What if I was a doctor and said ok we are going to cut off this arm and before I can stop him he has the other one cut off too?? He needs to slow down.

Why me...

 

[dfc]

This guy sounds like Ashook from Dilbert...

 

[JetSmooth]

And if all that fails. . . . .

http://www.gagsandgoods.com/index.php?productID=146

 

[jgln]

I am bored so I will update. They put him back on days so my boss could watch him after complaints and a big screw up. I never complained. Eventually he is supposed to come back to nights. On nights there is no supervision so it is up to you to know what to do and make your own decisions. Odd twist is I want to go to days.

 

[Homercidal]

I am bored so I will update. They put him back on days so my boss could watch him after complaints and a big screw up. I never complained. Eventually he is supposed to come back to nights. On nights there is no supervision so it is up to you to know what to do and make your own decisions. Odd twist is I want to go to days.

I hear all you have to do to get to days is screw up...

 

[sudsmcgee]

I am bored so I will update. They put him back on days so my boss could watch him after complaints and a big screw up. I never complained. Eventually he is supposed to come back to nights. On nights there is no supervision so it is up to you to know what to do and make your own decisions. Odd twist is I want to go to days.

Remember the previous comment that said if you don't go to management, you might be the one who gets the shaft? It just happened.

 

[TxBrew]

I am bored so I will update. They put him back on days so my boss could watch him after complaints and a big screw up. I never complained. Eventually he is supposed to come back to nights. On nights there is no supervision so it is up to you to know what to do and make your own decisions. Odd twist is I want to go to days.

Is he still weird?

 

[jgln]

Is he still weird?

Talk of the region....even directors have been asked about the options should matters get worse. I haven't seen him in about 2 months but rumors are day crew feels the same.

 

[jgln]

Remember the previous comment that said if you don't go to management, you might be the one who gets the shaft? It just happened.

Well, I don't think being put on days for that reason is anything for him to be glad about, it was kind of a tounge in cheek comment, I'd rather stay on nights on good terms. He was only on the job less than a month when this happened. They hired him, so I was willing to wait and see what happened before I ran to management. Like we thought, he hung himself, we didn't have to do it for him.

I even tried to help him. Told him to take it slow, be honest and only worry about taking on what they want him to. He didn't listen.

 

[jgln]

I hear all you have to do to get to days is screw up...

Maybe they will promote him too.

Senfeld fan? If so do you remember the military nut job that got hired to work with Elaine? Went from like the mailroom to head of marketing in days to get rid of him.

 

[TxBrew]

Talk of the region....even directors have been asked about the options should matters get worse. I haven't seen him in about 2 months but rumors are day crew feels the same.

Sorry to hear it, not an easy thing to put up with.

 

[jgln]

Sorry to hear it, not an easy thing to put up with.

Yes, not looking forward to him coming back. This shift you don't get to see many people so who you do work with it is important to get along. Makes working these hours not so bad if you can have some fun. So far we have nothing in common.

 

[TxBrew]

Yes, not looking forward to him coming back. This shift you don't get to see many people so who you do work with it is important to get along. Makes working these hours not so bad if you can have some fun. So far we have nothing in common.

That's no good man, I guess it's up to you to make it fun then.

 

[Sean]

....oh, he also has one eye that looks one way and the other at you so that makes it even more difficult. I fell like I still don't know which one, so I really feel like a complete communication disconnect with him. That is why I am taking it slow.

See now it sounds like you're making this guy up. I can see a SNL skit, only maybe a strong Indian accent:

Well Done my good fliend, let me hold your wiener while you pee.. No really no ploblem.

 

[jgln]

See now it sounds like you're making this guy up. I can see a SNL skit, only maybe a strong Indian accent:

Well Done my good fliend, let me hold your wiener while you pee.. No really no ploblem.

You have no ideas how much I wish this were true.

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

WTF does coming from Africa have ANYTHING to do with being irritating. The answer is: you said he's from Boston.

 

[emjay]

WTF does coming from Africa have ANYTHING to do with being irritating. The answer is you said he's from Boston.

Because apparently he wasn't in Boston for very long, as he fairly recently immigrated from Africa?

Many of issues might stem from the social rules and customs being extremely different in that part of the world. Of course, the guy himself might just have mental or social problems... it's difficult to say for sure. Either way though, there's not much difference, as he doesn't appear to have bad intentions.

 

[sudsmcgee]

I read that as a slam on people from Boston, not as a serious question.

 

[emjay]

I read that as a slam on people from Boston, not as a serious question.

Ah, you're probably right. His grammar was just so poor that it was difficult for me to tell.

 

[Homercidal]

This is starting to become some funny sht right here.

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

I read that as a slam on people from Boston, not as a serious question.

Suds gets a gold star. Read my location