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Almost a year ago I hired a 21 year old kid as a temp employee for a shipping/receiving job. He worked fairly hard, with his main problems being a questionable level of maturity. He's married with one kid and literally just had another (which may or may not be his as his wife is somewhat of a whore, but, that's beside the point).

4 months ago I hired him on full time with a fair wage, benefits, American Express credit card, 401K savings plan, I buy all his tooling, uniforms, training provided, per diem, field premium, etc... Basically its hard work, but decently rewarding with great potential as a career. A really good tech can make $100K per year.

Since I hired him full time, his performance has declined drastically. Most significantly, he's used his company American Express Card for personnel purchases and spent his expense report checks so he can't pay them back. Also, he's becoming routinely 'no call no show' missing in action from the job. I've confronted him on his performance with no improvement.

The next step is termination, but, I was attempting to get him a good start in life as without this job his prospects aren't good. Any suggestions before I drop the hammer?

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Give him a promotion and pay rise.

Man after my own heart.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Almost a year ago I hired a 21 year old kid as a temp employee for a shipping/receiving job. He worked fairly hard, with his main problems being a questionable level of maturity. He's married with one kid and literally just had another (which may or may not be his as his wife is somewhat of a whore, but, that's beside the point).

4 months ago I h ...[text shortened]... without this job his prospects aren't good. Any suggestions before I drop the hammer?
1 official, in writing, warning. Then fire him. You aren't doing him any favours by putting up with it.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Almost a year ago I hired a 21 year old kid as a temp employee for a shipping/receiving job. He worked fairly hard, with his main problems being a questionable level of maturity. He's married with one kid and literally just had another (which may or may not be his as his wife is somewhat of a whore, but, that's beside the point).

4 months ago I h ...[text shortened]... without this job his prospects aren't good. Any suggestions before I drop the hammer?
When you confronted him did you leave no doubt what would happen if things didn't change? if you didn't then you have probably done everything you could have. You could call him in and say "tell me if there is a reason why I shouldn't sack you" and see what comes back

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Originally posted by stevetodd
When you confronted him did you leave no doubt what would happen if things didn't change? if you didn't then you have probably done everything you could have. You could call him in and say "tell me if there is a reason why I shouldn't sack you" and see what comes back
Yes, I've followed HR protocol and written him up... this isn't my first rodeo so to speak. He should be VERY clear that unless he takes immediate action to improve his days are numbered. Instead of meeting the challenge he seems to be wilting under the pressure. Still, despite the fact that I'm an unredeemable b@stard, when I get a chance, I do try to help give people a leg up.

Without this job, he's screwed. Financially he has nothing saved, he's got a promiscous wife, two children under three, a GED for a high school diploma, no family to speak of and no prospects in this town. He's on the last train to Loserville if he can't get a grip. I was trying to give him a start. Unfortunately, he's blowing it and I can't afford to wait.

I think I'll supend him for a week and maybe some time off will make him re-evaluate his options.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Almost a year ago I hired a 21 year old kid as a temp employee for a shipping/receiving job. He worked fairly hard, with his main problems being a questionable level of maturity. He's married with one kid and literally just had another (which may or may not be his as his wife is somewhat of a whore, but, that's beside the point).

4 months ago I h ...[text shortened]... without this job his prospects aren't good. Any suggestions before I drop the hammer?
Tie his wife to the railroad tracks and foreclose on the mortgage to his house. Be sure to twirl your moustache while you do it.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Yes, I've followed HR protocol and written him up... this isn't my first rodeo so to speak. He should be VERY clear that unless he takes immediate action to improve his days are numbered. Instead of meeting the challenge he seems to be wilting under the pressure. Still, despite the fact that I'm an unredeemable b@stard, when I get a chance, I do tr ...[text shortened]... l supend him for a week and maybe some time off will make him re-evaluate his options.
That sounds like a good idea, one last chance and a kick up the arse to try and get him into gear, if you don't do something you have to be wary that his problem may become your problem, explaining why something wasn't done when it should have been.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Yes, I've followed HR protocol and written him up... this isn't my first rodeo so to speak. He should be VERY clear that unless he takes immediate action to improve his days are numbered. Instead of meeting the challenge he seems to be wilting under the pressure. Still, despite the fact that I'm an unredeemable b@stard, when I get a chance, I do tr ...[text shortened]... l supend him for a week and maybe some time off will make him re-evaluate his options.
I applaud your sense of decency.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Any suggestions before I drop the hammer?
Slash his tires while he's waiting to meet with you to get sacked.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Almost a year ago I hired a 21 year old kid as a temp employee for a shipping/receiving job. He worked fairly hard, with his main problems being a questionable level of maturity. He's married with one kid and literally just had another (which may or may not be his as his wife is somewhat of a whore, but, that's beside the point).

4 months ago I h ...[text shortened]... without this job his prospects aren't good. Any suggestions before I drop the hammer?
Sit down and talk. Maybe you are ready to toss an employee because they are having personal problems.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Yes, I've followed HR protocol and written him up... this isn't my first rodeo so to speak. He should be VERY clear that unless he takes immediate action to improve his days are numbered. Instead of meeting the challenge he seems to be wilting under the pressure. Still, despite the fact that I'm an unredeemable b@stard, when I get a chance, I do tr ...[text shortened]... l supend him for a week and maybe some time off will make him re-evaluate his options.
Sounds like he might have a drug problem...
Everyone knows that people with drug and/or alcohol problems can be a deficit for their company as well as their family.

Since you've already informed him of the situation, the ball is now in his court. I suggest that you refer him to your "employee help program" and take it from there. Also, you might consider that someone in his category must take a drug test. If he passes (probably not) then the issue is solved. He's just stupid. Fire him!

But if he fails then now you know why he's being the idiot he is... and assuming your company has a help program you can force him into it. This would not only help him, it would save his family from destruction. Once an employee is recognized with a substance abuse problem they have to give weekly urine tests to keep their job.

I know this sounds ugly but it's far better than destroying his family. Many people with substance abuse problems have been shown to be really hard and dedicated workers once given a 2nd chance.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Instead of meeting the challenge he seems to be wilting under the pressure.
He may have given up because he sees there are so many things he would have to change that no matter what he does, it won't be enough. If you really want to help him and can afford spending some time on it, you could start with one or two things he'd have to change. That way, it won't sound insurmountable, and if he succeeds, his success will motivate him for further changes.

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Call his wife and tell her. She'll straighten him up.

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Originally posted by Hand of Hecate
Almost a year ago I hired a 21 year old kid as a temp employee for a shipping/receiving job. He worked fairly hard, with his main problems being a questionable level of maturity. He's married with one kid and literally just had another (which may or may not be his as his wife is somewhat of a whore, but, that's beside the point).

4 months ago I h ...[text shortened]... without this job his prospects aren't good. Any suggestions before I drop the hammer?
What's his wife look like?

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Originally posted by FreakyKBH
What's his wife look like?
And do you have her phone number?