Dealing with unruly CAD tech 3

[joemarch]

I recently moved from a big firm to a smaller one where there is only one engineering Cad tech. He was employed there a few months before me. Everybody at this firm thinks hes great but i have real problems with him. For starters he is loud and obnoxious, he is always pulling these stupid jokes on me, and he questions everything i do. I would go complain to my bosses but, the guy has two kids and a wife who can't work much so i would feel bad if he gets the boot. How do you deal with someone who thinks he knows everything and won't listen to you when you try to explain his behavior is a detrament to the firm. Any help would be greaty apprciated.

 

[JAE]

First a question: are you equal or younger in age than the CADD Tech?

Over the years I have seen a very common occurance where techs seem to get a very sensitive inferiority complex with younger engineers. It is quite understandable. They perhaps have many years "in the business" and along comes a kid who has a degree, and who appears to be trying very hard not to look dumb, and who is eventually going to pass up the tech in not only financial terms but also in authority, responsibility, etc.

I've experienced this first hand when I was starting out as an EIT and it can get very frustrating. Especially when you truly have in your heart only goodwill toward the tech and toward your job.

The key is to focus very hard on your responsibilities, keep a very tactful eye on how you treat the tech, express lots of sincere respect to the tech, etc.

I've found that once the tech reallizes that you hold them in high regard and don't look down your nose at them, many will turn and come around to treating you bettter.

Some don't - for those, just do your job - your supervisors will know who is the professional.

 

[PSE]

Personality conflicts aside, Are there any good "nuggets" to think about in all the questions he raises about your work? If he is just blowing smoke then you are in a tougher situation but if you can find something in one of his questions that might be worthwhile to persue, bring him on for the follow through. A couple of "common ground" projects may cause the other annoying antics to settle down a bit. Sometimes, letting a Tech "name or create their own poison" can bring on a willingness to accept your ideas as you can show them better ways of doing things. You can also learn in return from them.

As this tech is another relatively new employee, he is still trying to find some sort of security niche and prove himself (potentially at your expense). This you should resolve quickly as you both are likely still in the "first impressions" stage of your jobs.

Regards,

 

[HVAC68]

I agree with JAE. It has happened to me before. I started off as a young trainee engineer 14 years ago (I am still young !!!). The company where I worked always used to attach a young engineer to an experienced supervisor and/or designer and vice versa - an experienced engineer with a young supervisor - this facilitiates better learning for both, if done in the right spirit and meets the company's objectives of getting the work done as well as training the people "on the job". Have had a few issues with them, but you get to come over this slowly - lot depends on assuring them that I am not a threat to them. It's more to do with a security issue which needs to be addressed. I'ts more psychological than anything else - am not trying to say it's easy, but it's possible to work over it.

I've shown a keenness to learn from the experienced guys, and at the same time, pointed out what's wrong in their approach or designs if there are any, very diplomatically - it takes time to win the confidence and match frequencies and once that's done, there's no looking back on a perfect combination of experience & inexperience and old & youth.

HVAC68

 

[Beggar]

With respect to his "always pulling these stupid jokes," I'd simply confront him respectfuly and directly ask him to discontinue that behavior toward you. He may not even realize how it comes off.

I've found that most folks respond fairly well to assertive behavior provided that I'm not being aggressive.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

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[profengmen]

You go talk to your HR head and discuss the issue with them. They will understand company policy and appropriate office behavior.

The fact that you would feel bad if this guy got fired is irrelevant. Inappropriate behavior affects the company as a whole, and the end of the day, you still have a business to attend to. You have the right to reasonable accommodation, and if this man is affecting your ability to perform, then you have an obligation to report the problem.

It's not a matter of "feelings" and it's not a matter for other people to handle, this is a HR issue.

 

[funnelguy]

Quote, “Everybody at this firm thinks hes great but i have real problems with him.”
There’s your first clue.

Quote, “For starters he is loud and obnoxious, he is always pulling these stupid jokes on me, and he questions everything i do.”
Lighten up. Learn to work with other people. Especially people you may find difficult.

How exactly is HR going to react when you complain and everyone else has no problem? Don’t dig yourself a hole.

 

[ruggedscot]

Quote, “Everybody at this firm thinks hes great but i have real problems with him.”

Hmmm could he have an issue with you ? Is he the same with everyone else or is he just like this with you. If he is the same with everyone else then you will need to lighten up and check out the situation, being the new guy on the block you may not be aware of any undercurrents that ebb and flow. And believe me they can drown you if you misjudge them. Get a guy sacked and you can quickly find the other people will turn against you. Not where you want to be if you plan on long term career with them.

Talk get to know him, work your way round and see if you can find a way to impart to him subtly at first that this isnt you, then if that fail and you do feel aggrivated then start to follow some organised proceedure. verbal comments first, ensuring that you are not being aggressive or else you could end up with being deemed to be the one with the attitude problem.

Identify your problems with him and then approach, failing that then you will need to try and see if line management or HR can help you. Mediate with this guy if required.
Those team building exercises can do a lot of good you know, even if its the bowling alley or a group meal. Get out of the work situation and get into a social meeting. Yes I know you choose your friends but not your workmates and all that.

Quote, “For starters he is loud and obnoxious, he is always pulling these stupid jokes on me, and he questions everything i do.”

victimisation - jokes on you questions everything that you do - threatened by you maybe ? Is he having trouble with job worried that you will come in and render him out of it?

Wether true or not people when they feel threatened will react and try to reduce that threat, make you look stupid or other wise annoy you until you quit. Its a difficult one but hope that some of what I have said makes sense to you.

Rugged

 

[Nate101]

Another opinion!!

The person may feel threatened by you. Possibly find something in common with him. Use this for a center point and slooooo

http://wwwwwly

discuss your issues with him. Ask him work related questions, through in an issue. If he feels threatened by you, this may make him comfortable enough to knock off the crap. I would only tell HR as a last resort. One or both of you may be canned, sometimes the "new guy" is history no matter what.

Good luck.

 

[PLB]

JOEMARCH,

I wonder if this is the same CAD Tech that you asked a question about in the other forum. If it is, I think that you are already trying to make some "Common ground" by checking into training and responsibilities. Well done. I think the "common ground" approach is a great start. One other method that I have used is the old end-run. What I mean by this is to find one of the other engineers that you are comfortable talking to AND that the CAD Tech highly respects. Have a chat with that engineer and ask them nicely to see if you are correct with your assessment of being dumped on. Also, ask them nicely if they would be willing to casually talk with the CAD Tech about how he/she is acting. I have found that if the comment comes from someone that they respect, they will tend to listen and consider making changes in their behavior more. If a person that they do not respect approaches them, they will tend to get defensive. If this doesn't work, you can always fall back on the "tell the boss/HR" approach.

Hope this helps,
Paul

 

[cardoso115]

Do your work, prove your worth.
I've started a month ago in maintenance, and there are 14 people "under me" in maintenance. Perhaps only one of them has my age or younger. The others are in their 40's and 2 or 3 near the retirement age.
Although I'm no threat to their job, I realized that most of them looked sideways towards me, I could notice it in the way they said good morning to me.

This continued until I had the chance to prove some of my worth. And when a machine broke down, I got there and instead of taking over the situation I got there and did actual teamwork with the electrician. Went down to the schematics trying to find out what was wrong.
And in no time, the machine was up and running...

Nowadays, they don't at me like a member of maintenance and someone with value.

However, I must admit the solution to most of the problems comes from them... they tell me what might be wrong, they show me what could be the cause and 70% of the times they are right.

Try to ear what this tech has to say about any common problems you have to solve, before proposing a solution.