Assistant refuses to assist in office move

[Lostprophet]

My assistant has informed me that he is unable to assist in the office move as he has a sinus problem and the dust causes him problems.

My gut feel is he is a light weight and the usual excuse for not doing stuff.

What would you do in this situation?

Regards,

LP.

[Mr E]

[southendpier]

Ask him to clean and sort his desk and any other parts of the office he is responsible for - or should reaonsably be expected to help. Pack all items + personal items. Get company in to move it and tell hi to talk a days holiday.

Plenty of stuff to do without having to lift dusty stuff. The workshy fop could answer the phone.

[Flatinfourth]

Speaking as someone who has heard quite a few excuses from staff,a choice to be made, dust mask or spanish archer....

[Chimune]

As someone currently suffering from sinusitis, I wouldn't be doing bending / lifting either. Weather you believe him is a different matter. You could ask for a docs note.

Does his contract say he has to act as a removal man ?

[Lostprophet]

We have about 40 files to box up. He refuses to assist with that.

[944fan]

Chimune said:

Does his contract say he has to act as a removal man ?

Any decent contract will state that any additional duties as advised by the company shall be undertaken or words to that effect.

I would tell him to take a days un-paid leave as he wont be working that day.

[Lostprophet]

Thats a good plan.

I have ordered a dust mask. Going to try that first.

[myvision]

Lostprophet said:

Thats a good plan.

I have ordered a dust mask. Going to try that first.

Pop down B and Q that will be quicker.

[Lostprophet]

Great ideas.

I was a bit scared of saying you have to assist. He is the type to start crying.

[Manicminer]

Did you hire this fop?

[sunoco69]

I would find a large car park that needs weeding and giving him a pair of nail scissors to do it with. Bloody lightweight.

[Lostprophet]

Unfortunately not. He was a part of the business we acquired. His role is actually site manager however he was handed to me for a software project I was working on. He is now my assistant. Not my choice. I have advised my investors he is not suitable for the role however the cost of redundancy is too much to consider right now.

So for the time being I am baby sitting. It is such a pain.

LOL at the car park comment. That's a great suggestion.

[fido]

Does your company pay a bonus? Assume he's heading for a big fat zero ..

[944fan]

Lostprophet said:

He is the type to start crying.

I fking despise people who start crying. I have a member of staff who the moment you suggest some work wasn't quite up to it or that she should work a bit harder the waterworks start. I am not a prick, she does it to everyone. It is so childish and unprofessional.

[Sir Fergie]

Lostprophet said:

Unfortunately not. He was a part of the business we acquired. His role is actually site manager however he was handed to me for a software project I was working on. He is now my assistant. Not my choice. I have advised my investors he is not suitable for the role however the cost of redundancy is too much to consider right now.

So for the time being I am baby sitting. It is such a pain.

LOL at the car park comment. That's a great suggestion.

Whats happened with the site manager role - if its a case hes fked that up - would it be legal to put him back on it for a while - then when he fks up again - follow the proper disciplinary procedure.

Babysiting an adult worker is something id have VERY little patience for personally.

[Odie]

944fan said:

Chimune said:

Does his contract say he has to act as a removal man ?

Any decent contract will state that any additional duties as advised by the company shall be undertaken or words to that effect.

I would tell him to take a days un-paid leave as he wont be working that day.

It has to be reasonable though.

I work as a designer, office based. Their was an occasion were I was told to attend a site and act as an electricians mate on a project of light fitting changes, I very quickly made myself unavailable and too busy on the days in question. I don't feel the request was reasonable so I took steps to get out of it BUT perhaps I should have gone to our personnel department about it.

If hes going to be sorting and moving paper work etc, I think your being reasonable on the other hand if you want him to move furniture, building furniture, setup computers and printers etc then I personally wouldn't consider that reasonable.

[Upatdawn]

944fan said:

I fking despise people who start crying. I have a member of staff who the moment you suggest some work wasn't quite up to it or that she should work a bit harder the waterworks start. I am not a prick, she does it to everyone. It is so childish and unprofessional.

BEFORE you say anything to her, give her a box of Kleenex tissues, she might take the hint

[Upatdawn]

Lostprophet said:

My assistant has informed me that he is unable to assist in the office move as he has a sinus problem and the dust causes him problems.

My gut feel is he is a light weight and the usual excuse for not doing stuff.

What would you do in this situation?

Regards,

LP.

Tell HIM what hes doing, and on what day, if he cant work send him home without pay

Are his wrists limp?

[whoami]

Lostprophet said:

He is the type to start crying.