Ack! Work Related... Advice? (long)

[enchantedpixiedust]

OK, I'm trying to be as patient as possible which is why I'm on here posting to vent. We hired a new person for my old position, I have moved into another area of the company. He is fresh out of college and has never had an office job before, I'm training him from scratch.

That being said - I am a HUGE fan of writing things down. I don't mind showing someone how to do something, explaining anything they need - I just think that it is best for them if they write the instructions down. It's something to go back and reference if needed, etc. There's just way too much stuff in this industry to remember, especially for someone with no experience.

I explained to him about notes, we bought him a notebook to write directions in, has a computer to keep notes on, but he doesn't write anything at all. He keeps asking me the same questions or form of over and over. I'm not talking one or two times, we're talking upwards of 6-8 times - the same question over and over.
It's driving me nuts. I have also been sending him emails with instructions for certain things in them so he could have it for referral since he apparently won't write anything down himself. He prints them out, then comes to me to ask the question that is addressed in the email he has.

I don't know how else to say it to him - I've mentioned it several times, I gave him the notebook a couple days ago, I've tried the emails. We are at opposite ends of the office and after 10 am this morning I started counting - I've stopped my work and gone to his office 22 times since then. 19 of these were for issues we've already gone over that would have been answered if he had written instructions.

Any ideas would be grand - I guess one bright point is I should be dropping weight running back and forth.

P.S. I don't have internet rules here so don't yell at me for slacking off.

 

[Amberle3]

This is something I just don't tolerate. I went through the same kind of thing with someone I was trying to train.

I say document all the things you're explaining to him (which you already have with the emails, but I mean start an actual list) detailing what the item is and (if possible) how long it takes you do answer his questions. Then when he's asked the same question multiple times, tell him that he has to try and work through the problem on his own - you've already given him the answer several times before, he has it on paper there somewhere, he has to be able to do his job himself.

I'd also, if it keeps up, talk informally to your manager/supervisor/boss/whatever and just mention that this is taking up a lot of your time and that for whatever reason he's automatically coming to you for support BEFORE trying to do stuff himself. And mention that while you feel you should be supporting him, you also feel like it's interfering with your ability to do your own job properly.

ps I don't have internet rules here at work either - mind you I'm self-employed

 

[sue1013]

Tell him to email all questions. With your responses he will have the answers. If he asks again tell him you've already responded to that question and refer to prior emails.

 

[Lisa96]

It might help if you explain what the outcome might be if he makes a mistake. I found that new ee's would get very nervous, especially on a computer system that was new to them, and be afraid of doing anything because of repercussions. I would make a point of saying that I would be proofing their work or that a batch would be queued, etc to just let them know that there were checks in place.
I'd also give him specific times that you can allocate for him, maybe 2-3 times a day for 20-30 min. Just tell him you'll be by at X time and he has to try to work on his own, putting aside any questions he might have. Reiterate that he should review all his notes before he places something in the quesion pile (just pretend he HAS taken notes - he is responsible for how he records his references.) Then give him that time and see what his questions are, and if they are still repetitive you may want to involve his supervisor. Unless your new position has been placed on hold until he's finished training (doubt that!) he needs to be respectful of the fact that you have your own work to do.

 

[coliebird]

This bought back memories. I had to train my assistant for when I was out on maternity leave. The problem was she did write things down, but she still couldn't figure it out. Not only did she call me at home on my leave 4 out of 5 days a week (I was home for 12 weeks), she called me in the hospital the day I gave birth to ask me a question. She was fired when I came back.

Sorry I have no advice other than what everyone else has already said.

 

[Maleficent13]

As a supervisor, I had to fire someone for this once. I trained and trained and retrained, and she still kept coming back, wanting the instructions again and again and continued to do things incorrectly (or not do them at all).

I bought a day planner, the kind with one day per page, and started a detailed diary of everything we had talked about that day. After about two months, I had enough documentation that HR allowed me to let her go, based on inability to do her job.

I don't know if you have that kind of authority, but someone does, and if you have enough documentation it will help them help you.

 

[enchantedpixiedust]

Thank you guys for all the help. I just am frustrated.

Maleficent13 - I think I'm going to try the Day Planner and see where this goes. I have the authority to do this, I'm just hoping he comes around.

Thanks again for listening.