Co-worker looking for job
Co-worker looking for job
(OP)
I lent my company laptop to a co-worker while at a remote site, so he could check his email. No big deal.
In the evening, I log on, and go straight to my Yahoo! email account and blindly click on the first email.
It stated that "...my application was recieved and an offer would be made...". I then realized that my co-worker didn't log out and I just read his email about a job offer at a new company. I quickly logged off of Yahoo!.
I believe this is between him and our manager. However, we have an important milestone in my project in 6 weeks, and I don't want to have to train a new engineer in the 5th week when he leaves (I don't know if it will be the 5th week, or the 12th week, or anywhere in between).
His leaving will really affect my project and goals. My manager will be understanding of this, but it also means that a milestone lasting 3 weeks will extend to 6 weeks, if I can't get someone trained.
When we return, I would like to request my manager assign another engineer, but I don't have the 'ammo' to really make the request without bringing this up. He's a good engineer, but we have 3 others that are just as good, if not better, but not familiar with this project or process.
Any ideas?
In the evening, I log on, and go straight to my Yahoo! email account and blindly click on the first email.
It stated that "...my application was recieved and an offer would be made...". I then realized that my co-worker didn't log out and I just read his email about a job offer at a new company. I quickly logged off of Yahoo!.
I believe this is between him and our manager. However, we have an important milestone in my project in 6 weeks, and I don't want to have to train a new engineer in the 5th week when he leaves (I don't know if it will be the 5th week, or the 12th week, or anywhere in between).
His leaving will really affect my project and goals. My manager will be understanding of this, but it also means that a milestone lasting 3 weeks will extend to 6 weeks, if I can't get someone trained.
When we return, I would like to request my manager assign another engineer, but I don't have the 'ammo' to really make the request without bringing this up. He's a good engineer, but we have 3 others that are just as good, if not better, but not familiar with this project or process.
Any ideas?
______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.





RE: Co-worker looking for job
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Since you know, you may as well act in your own best interests. Make sure you have proper support for your project.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
- Steve
RE: Co-worker looking for job
I would talk to your coworker about what you found. Personally, I wouldn't start out mentioning that you read his email, but that you heard he was looking for other opportunities and want to know what his schedule is to determine the impact on the project.
If you get him talking about the impact to the project rather than defending yourself from snooping (even though you weren't) or have him defensive about keeping this a secret, he'll probably give you less partial truths.
--Scott
http://wertel.eng.pro
RE: Co-worker looking for job
I'm not religious, but I refer you to "The Golden Rule" (I can amplify if you are not familiar with it.)
RE: Co-worker looking for job
I have my resume posted on monster and careerbuilders, and get some calls and emails about jobs all the time.
for awhile I had them posted when I was not looking for a job and I was still getting phone calls and emails. There is also the possibility he is checking his value for an upcoming review or something.
... There are enough odds that I could be nothing... and there is a old saying about assuming
You may want to confront him first, before making a big deal out of it.
Star to Eddy
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website: www.oil-gas-consulting.com
RE: Co-worker looking for job
In a way, you're lucky. Most people don't get such warning before hammer falls.
Aaron A. Spearin
ASQ CSSBB
Engineering Six-S'$
www.Engineering6ss.com
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
I don't think anyone recommended tattling on the co-worker, only having a discussion with him to find out what his plans are.
If you are the one responsible and know of a potential situation where your project could be hurt, you have an obligation as a professional not to butt out. You need to manage situations not bury your head.
Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website: www.oil-gas-consulting.com
RE: Co-worker looking for job
I don't see the need to involve anyone else until after you've talked with him.
-
Aercoustics.com
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
In general, worrying about the future does not work, since you have about zero control.
Also, I liked the tip about the golden rule.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Why worry about something that nmight not happen? Why plan, why do risk assessments?
If someone worked for me and an issue came up that may have a negative effect on his project, I would ask the question - what are you doing about it? And if the answer is - I'm not worrying about it because it may not happen - bang you are gone.
Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website: www.oil-gas-consulting.com
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Good point.
In general you should only worry about things you can do something about.
If you can do something, do it.
So do it and don't worry- It makes Alfred E Newman pretty smart after all.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
People leave companies all the time (no one can control this), and many times it happens in the middle of important projects. It is the responsibility of managers and engineers to be ready when and if this happens. Even if no one ever saw the e-mail about the job offer, they should be prepared. I distinguish this from worrying (which generally means to torment one self with thoughts), and interferes with finding a solution to a problem.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Man, you'd shoot your employee? Tough boss...
In all seriousness though--I agree with Greg. You need to figure out what you do, and don't have control over. Then you need to remedy, as best you can, what you do control. Otherwise, it's your own fault.
Good luck, and I hope it doesn't affect anything.
Regards,
V
Mechanical Engineer
"When I am working on a problem, I do not think of beauty, but when I've finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong."
- R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Depending on the rules of the state, it may be more benifitial for your boss to fire him on the spot before he has a chance to "quit", so the company does not have to pay for unemployment benifits.
The project manager i work with was like your "co-worker" and just checking jobs, his boss got wind of it some how, and fired him on the next day.
Reason being, the losses as a result of firing the employee are less then paying the unemployment benifits, and it keeps managment on top of the other employees.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
You must be determined to be unemployed through no fault of your own as defined under California law.
In the case of a discharge, it is the employer's responsibility to prove that the former employee was fired for misconduct connected with work. In the case of a quit, the individual must show that he/she had good reason for quitting a job.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Co-worker looking for job
He just said he was just shocked at their reaction but he got a promotion by changing jobs.
Other then what I already said thats about the jist of it what he said.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
How very Orwellian. I wonder where this is taking us, in the near future maybe we will get fired for "thinking about looking for another job"?
RE: Co-worker looking for job
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Quite funny really. I found a solution which ends up being self correcting. I asked him to go home a few days earlier from our remote site, as his part was done, and he was just playing on the internet.
We agreed on the day and schedule, and I would take him to the airport. We were to leave at 4:30am from the hotel(only flight back to the US). At 4:40, he's not downstairs. I go to knock on the door, and I can hear him snoring. I wake him up, and he apologizes and says he'll be down in 5 min. Ten minutes goes by, and he doesn't show. I go to knock on the door again, and I can hear him snoring again. He comes to the door and apologizes again and he'll be down in 5 min. In 15 minutes, he finally arrives and gets in the car. I thought I smelled alcohol, but gave him the benefit of the doubt, and assumed it was aftershave, since he didn't have time to shower.
I speed to the airport, get caught by a camera to catch speeders, and drop him off with 20 min to spare. I get a call 15 min later saying he missed the flight.
On the way back, I'm paying closer attention to his actions, and he was drunk.
Get back to the hotel, told him to meet me at 8:00 for breakfast, then we'll go to the site. I walk past his room at 8:00....snoring. I leave for the site at 8:30....still snoring.
I don't think he had any intentions of leaving.
Essentially, this guy is as good as gone once management hears this.
______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
So, as the PM, I was mad he pulled this ****, although I am not his boss. The site is in a very, very nice location, and he essentially got a free day of vacation.
Am I happy with the way things worked out? I think I would express it as more relief than happy. I probably will take the 'golden rule' approach to me finding his job offer from the other company. But this other kind of behavior I can not accept.
______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
I would quit your job. If your company is like most at least 80% of the people have resumes out or are keeping an eye out for opportunites. You can never predict when someone will be gone ( and thats just the ones who don't die from accidents or disease).
Find a company to work for where the people are loyal, healthy and carful. Your worklife will be perfect.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Functional alcoholics can still be quite useful. We used to have an ME who certainly tipped his glass often and well, but even when he was tipsy, he was head and shoulders above any other ME we had.
So long as he remains a positive contributor, you should, as part of his management structure, make every attempt to salvage his future contributions and his career. You need to check your company policy on this matter. In some companies, alcoholism is considered to be a disease, and as such, you can't fire someone for being sick.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Wrongful accusations and uninformed opinions can cause someone a lot of trouble and loss of income. Don't be supprized if their lawyer shows up at your companys door to seek remedy ( thats money).
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
We don't have all the information about what "site" means. Is it a civil construction site? Are you assembly a factory? or by the other hand, you are on site just to install some ERP software?
I ask this because the potential danger of having a person drunk on site is completely different.
In the first case, not only he puts his life in danger as also the others';
Int eh last example, it is pretty much his work (and eventually theones that work with him) that it is in stake.
Either way, I don't think that it is acceptable to have drunk persons working. In a previous company where I worked, there was a procedure that there would be random alcohol tests for everybody and anyone above the legal limit would be sent home immediately. If the repeat again, a desciplinary action would be started and the person could simply loose their job.
As a PM, I would suggest to talk with him to udnerstand the reasons for this behaviour, also for you to let him know that you're not stupid and can see what's going on. After that, take actions, if needed. Eventually with a warning the guy goes straight.
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
"Essentially, this guy is as good as gone once management hears this. "
How is management going to hear about this? Are you going to tell them?
Anyway why did you want him to go to site if you knew he was drunk and he essentially finished his job there just playing on the internet?
Seems to me you are overreacting and using this situation to solve your first problem.
P.S. Being drunk at the hotel is not "drinking on the job" just because you are scheduled to go to work (which he wasn't)
RE: Co-worker looking for job
RE: Co-worker looking for job
Something wicked this way comes...
From a co-worker that was critical for the sucess of a project looking for a new potential position to a irresposible that is working drunk and skips responsibility goes a long way...
RE: Co-worker looking for job
- Steve
RE: Co-worker looking for job
You forgot Rock-and-Roll.