Ehh, that's a shame

[Gumbo4x4]

So, back story: we're looking to hire a 2nd full-time warehouse guy. I've got 1 out there now & he's a great worker. We also hire in temps & kids to unload container shipments as I & the full-time warehouse guy are just too busy to deal with them anymore. Container shipments are typically 45' trailers filled to the roof with cartons, all loose. It can take 10-24 man-hours to unload a container depending on what's in there. Putting these two thoughts together, my boss had the good idea (for once) of going through the resumes of those applying for the full-time gig and bringing someone in to unload containers as we had 3 coming in over a 1-week period (we sometimes go 2-3 months without getting ONE). We would use his or her performance on this task as a "trial run" and as our favorite candidate for the full-time gig wasn't currently working, this looked to be a win-win.

So, I call the guy Tuesday & ask if he can come in yesterday. He does, shows up on time, works hard all day, is enthusiastic about coming back today. Today, again shows up on time, works hard all morning. My regular guy even pulled him off the tedious unloading task for a bit to show him the ropes around the warehouse & some of the other jobs he'd be doing if he's hired on permanently. He seems to "get it" right off. By mid-morning, we are thinking we've hit a home run. Kid (I say kid, but mid-late 20's) is even asking for an hourly rate some 20% less than we're actually intending to pay. He's getting his asking rate just for the temp gig. So, perfect fit is what both I and my regular warehouse guy are both thinking, and then comes lunch. Kid leaves.......
















And never returns


Now, I've had temps flake on me before, but aside from the fact this guy knew he was in line for a full-time job (one less than a mile from his home), he just didn't fit the mold. Usually, those folks make it clear right off they're just not interested in working. They usually show up late, take extra long smoke breaks, putter around for a morning, go to lunch, and never come back. Or, maybe they make it through day one, but skip day two. But, you can see it coming. This guy seemed to be a good worker, self-motivated (we really give them free reign on the unloading task), and just too "normal". Or, so it seemed. So, I did leave him a voice mail asking him to contact our Accounting department so we could at least cut him a check for hours worked. Oh well, on to the next one

 

[Cantw8]

maybe he had explosive diarrhea and was unable to return It's always hit and miss with temps

 

[Gumbo4x4]

maybe he had explosive diarrhea and was unable to return It's always hit and miss with temps

I spent the afternoon running all the possible scenarios through my head, but I'm ashamed to admit I hadn't considered such an obvious one.

<<<<<kicks rocks

 

[JessicaR]

He undershot his wage for the work required. In his mind no loss for the workload he anticipates.

 

[NFLDERS]

He undershot his wage for the work required. In his mind no loss for the workload he anticipates.

My thoughts too. Maybe a call to reconsider the 20 percent increase?

 

[JessicaR]

My thoughts too. Maybe a call to reconsider the 20 percent increase?

Exactly, especially he he was worth it.

 

[Sadie22]

That happened at my office. The person had been offered another job.

 

[Art 1]

Probably a crack addict.

 

[momof1princess]

OP, normally, I would say good riddance; however, based on your description of his performance, IF he called me back, I would ask why he didn't come back that afternoon, just to be sure there was no miscommunication. It's hard to believe that someone who started out doing such a great job would flake like that.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

OP, normally, I would say good riddance; however, based on your description of his performance, IF he called me back, I would ask why he didn't come back that afternoon, just to be sure there was no miscommunication. It's hard to believe that someone who started out doing such a great job would flake like that.

That's kind of where I am. If he calls and has a valid reason, I'd be willing to give him one more shot. Guess we'll see if I hear anything.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I spent the afternoon running all the possible scenarios through my head, but I'm ashamed to admit I hadn't considered such an obvious one.

<<<<<kicks rocks

We had a similiar scenario. Turns out the guy was arrested for buying drugs during his lunch break. When he was sprung free a few days later he tried coming back to work like nothing had happened. Ummmm no......

 

[njmom47]

We've had temps in our office (clearly not physical work though).
We've hired a few for full-time perm jobs, we've had one temp that we always called when we need one (but she got a full-time job as a teacher so she's off our list), and we've had temps leave on their first day as well.

I would also be curious as to why he didn't return when all seemed well.
Please let us know if there's any updates.

 

[USMC0802]

I run a distribution facilty and I see it all the time. We've had guys that worked their butts off their 1st morning, turn them loose for lunch and never see them again. I've had them refuse to come out of the break room when lunch is over because theur food needed to settle. You name it, I've heard it.

I've had one decide to smoke a joint in our bathroom 2 hours into his 1st shift. When I confronted him, he tried to give it to me so he could go back to work! I've had them threaten me when we told they weren't coming back the next day. One guy actually growled at me. What I have found is that most of the time, a temp worker is a temp worker for a reason.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Maybe he got a call for a job that pays better and/or is less physically demanding. He could have been waiting for a call from a promising place.

ETA: It would've been nice to let you know he wasn't coming back though.

 

[LBIJim]

I worked one summer during college in a warehouse and stuff like that happened all the time. One guy worked for about two weeks, then disappeared without a word. About a month later he shows up one day and expected that the job was still open waiting for him to return. He "just needed some time off."

I hear similar stories to this day from my company's distribution warehouse.

Jim

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I do agree temps tend to be temps for a reason. To be clear though, this guy was brought in through the normal application process, not an agency. We were just giving him the work temps do as part of his "interview".

 

[Feralpeg]

Oddly, this happens on a regular basis at WDW. People hire in and go to training. Some don't even make it through Traditions. They go to lunch and never return. Others make it through training and don't return after their first day. I guess their expectations and reality don't meet.

 

[sunnyday123]

warehouse worker watch 2014!!!!!

 

[Sugardimples]

I guess he didn't like what he saw and didn't want to work there.

 

[usd2bmd]

That stinks. My husband deals with temps quite a bit and his employer does random drug testing. Whenever the company comes in to do the testing a handful of temps just walk out. Sometimes I just shake my head.