How do you deal with incompetence at work
Discussion
I have recently started working for a company i.e. 6 moths ago and I am now working with an other programmer as a team the problem is however he is pants. We are working on integrating a system and for the last weak we have been delayed by his code not working.
People are now noticing and I do not want to get the blame being the younger and more junior in the team.
So how do you deal with this situation? I have already had to mention this guys lack of basic programming skills to other when he failed to spot problems last project that I would have expected a 5 year old to notice in a previous project. But this is the first time I have had to work directly with him.
People are now noticing and I do not want to get the blame being the younger and more junior in the team.
So how do you deal with this situation? I have already had to mention this guys lack of basic programming skills to other when he failed to spot problems last project that I would have expected a 5 year old to notice in a previous project. But this is the first time I have had to work directly with him.
Give him a slap and tell him to buck his ideas up
I had a similar problem, once you let him know that you sussed him out people like this can feel a little uncomfortable - he left of his own accord after another month.
But get this, on his leaving form the question asked if I would ever recomend that we employ him again. My answer was no, obviously.
HR come back and ask why. Becasue he's crap thats why. Oh we cannnot put that on his file as it might predjudice his future opportunities with us and unless you have gone through formal grievance procedures we cannot allow this.
Result - if he applied again he would get another job
sigh...........
I had a similar problem, once you let him know that you sussed him out people like this can feel a little uncomfortable - he left of his own accord after another month.
But get this, on his leaving form the question asked if I would ever recomend that we employ him again. My answer was no, obviously.
HR come back and ask why. Becasue he's crap thats why. Oh we cannnot put that on his file as it might predjudice his future opportunities with us and unless you have gone through formal grievance procedures we cannot allow this.
Result - if he applied again he would get another job
sigh...........
Are you sure that your boss doesn't already know, generally I know in enough detail what my guys are doing that I know who may be responsible for "feature laden" code. But then I have got a small team ( four people ), as already mentioned it should be obvious if deadlines and targets are being missed.
Yes most people are better at spelling than me as I am dyslexic but I have found that my ability to code and inelegance in other areas usually makes up for the fact that I cant spell and a spell checker usually takes care of the spelling for me apart from when I am pissed off or in a hurry.
So I guess the question is would you prefer to have me who makes the odd spelling mistake and in my last staff review got review or some guy who can spell but cant code the choues is yours.
So I guess the question is would you prefer to have me who makes the odd spelling mistake and in my last staff review got review or some guy who can spell but cant code the choues is yours.
I'd be a bit careful about stirring up any trouble
You need to work together to get the project done. If you can't work with him, people will think "who else couldn't he work with". In time, your obviously (from what you've told us) superiour skills will shine through. In the mean time I would suggest to this bloke that you "validate" some of his code. It'll get the project done and every time anyone asks him what's going on he'll have to say "don't really know, Ceebmoj wrote that bit"
Hang in there mate, there are people in every organisation that get paid too much to do not enough because of incompetance, which is annoying.
However, there are also people who get paid too much and do v-little but surf PH all day, because they're in the niche that the useless bloke has just left
You need to work together to get the project done. If you can't work with him, people will think "who else couldn't he work with". In time, your obviously (from what you've told us) superiour skills will shine through. In the mean time I would suggest to this bloke that you "validate" some of his code. It'll get the project done and every time anyone asks him what's going on he'll have to say "don't really know, Ceebmoj wrote that bit"
Hang in there mate, there are people in every organisation that get paid too much to do not enough because of incompetance, which is annoying.
However, there are also people who get paid too much and do v-little but surf PH all day, because they're in the niche that the useless bloke has just left
Having had a thoroughly incompetent manager in the past, I chose an appropriate moment to have a chat with his boss. Trying to be tactful (not easy for me) I managed to dig the ground from under the unfortunate fellow and eventually he was on his way out. Depends how approachable your boss is.
incorrigible said:Got to get another few posts in....I'm tring to work up my flexitime
plotloss said:Amen brother!
incorrigible said: However, there are also people who get paid too much and do v-little but surf PH all day, because they're in the niche that the useless bloke has just left
Matt.
PAYE - Post as you earn!
Matt.
Nah, deport him
deltaf said: Maybe this guy just needs a helping hand
He's got a point, and like I said, don't make too many waves, the company want this project to succeed (preferably with everyone happy) Going into your bosses office complaining about how shit he is won't help enormously
Been through a similiar situation, working with muppets can be very tiresome and you can end up losing the good guys because they get p155ed off waiting for management to step in and sort it out. All I can say is tread carefully, too much bitching on your part and you could end up with a poor review (fails to support others, speaks out of turn etc etc etc......I get it all the time but then I'm a gobshite (had that aswell)). The answer is invite him down the pub for lunch and batter him in the carpark 
Don't mention work to me.
I got a new job last December on a temp to Perm basis, so as to get me in quicker, as I came into the job just as a training course was to start.
I still haven't got a perm position and what's worse is the agency paying me are about as good as a chocolate teapot.
I got a £400 tax credit the other week
, only for them to take off £260 this week 
My pay packet this week is £20.41.
My company are dragging their heels, I keep asking for this contract but am getting nowhere.
Coupled to that, our morning tea breaks were all cancelled this morning because our service levels were low, meaning just a half hour lunch and 10 mins this afternoon for break.
So I'm not that happy.
I got a new job last December on a temp to Perm basis, so as to get me in quicker, as I came into the job just as a training course was to start.
I still haven't got a perm position and what's worse is the agency paying me are about as good as a chocolate teapot.
I got a £400 tax credit the other week
, only for them to take off £260 this week My pay packet this week is £20.41.
My company are dragging their heels, I keep asking for this contract but am getting nowhere.
Coupled to that, our morning tea breaks were all cancelled this morning because our service levels were low, meaning just a half hour lunch and 10 mins this afternoon for break.
So I'm not that happy.
I have recently started working for a company i.e. 6 moths ago and I am now working with an other programmer as a team the problem is however he is pants. We are working on integrating a system and for the last weak we have been delayed by his code not working.
People are now noticing and I do not want to get the blame being the younger and more junior in the team.
So how do you deal with this situation? I have already had to mention this guys lack of basic programming skills to other when he failed to spot problems last project that I would have expected a 5 year old to notice in a previous project. But this is the first time I have had to work directly with him.
I'm sure you're aware of the term 'office politics'. This is all part and parcel of the working environment and it suits certain types very well. It can also help YOU in this situation. The following is merely the outline of a course of action - you will need to adapt it to your personal circumstances and your working environment.
You will know the line manager responsible for your colleague - find out who his secretary is or his best mate ........ someone who is close to him. Befriend this person and subtly tell them that you are seeking another job or thinking of moving etc as you are pretty certain that as the 'junior' you're going to get blamed for this project and you refuse to drop this other guy in it etc etc. You can bet that this will be passed on to the manager ....... you will win all ways.
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