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Co-worker looking for job
8

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?

______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.

RE: Co-worker looking for job

I would talk to the co-worker that borrowed the laptop and tell him that you saw the email since he didn't log-out of his account.  Try to gage how serious he is in leaving, then use that information to talk with your manager (or another engineer you have in mind) to get another body to work with your co-worker for a smoother turn-over before he leaves.

"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

You didn't come by this information by any inappropriate means.  It's yours to use.  Your coworker is either an idiot or he wants you to know (or both).

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

TheTick might have put his finger on it.  Many engineers are too introverted to march into the boss and make demands.  One alternative is to "leak" the information to a colleague who will suffer if you leave and hope he/she will tell the boss.  I've had unsolicited offers from a cometitor recently and talked them through with some of the guys over too many beers.  One asked me if I minded him telling my director.  The other put on his size nines and did it without asking.  So the boss knows I'm not too happy and I've been spared the embarrasment of looking like a whinger.

- Steve

RE: Co-worker looking for job

Conversely, he's just seeing what the market is like to know if he's making what he's worth.  He has no intentions of leaving your company and you going in to talk to the boss may put a black mark on his future, forcing him to leave.

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

2
controlnovice,

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 dont know about you guys/girls....

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

The best time to look for a job is when you have one.  How can you blame a guy for looking, but do understand your concern.  Most companies will request references, such as the last job (yours).  I would take MadMango's advice, talk to the guy - he may be interested in something else but be the kind that won't leave you in a bind and had no intention of leaving until after your milestone is met.  Who knows, but if he is planning to leave sooner, then go to the manager and request a new engineer.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website: www.oil-gas-consulting.com

RE: Co-worker looking for job

I would come completely clean with your coworker.  Ask him directly what his plans are.  More than likely he's just fishing... and sometimes it takes a lot of fishing to catch what you want, so he may very well be with you for the duration.  To be careful, though, rather than replace your coworker, I would request an additional body, perhaps in the form of a tech, a little less qualified than the engineer, but capable of learning the basics.  Between the two of you, you may be able to learn what your coworker knows and cover your bases if he decides to jump ship.  

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

Butt out....  It's his/her business.  You management gets paid to deal with these situations when the arise.  Jumping the gun, and tattling on your co-worker will only end badly for everyone.

RE: Co-worker looking for job

melone

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

How close are you to your co-worker.  What's wrong with sitting down and talking off-the-record.  If he's serious, explain that you'd be screwed and try to work out with him how to phase him out of the project while not bringing up his impending departure.

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

Please note that the co-worker used a company laptop, therefore he has no expectation of privacy.

RE: Co-worker looking for job

Why worry about something that might not happen? For example, the co-worker may get the offer and not accept. Or his new job might not start in months. Or the manager could have a great job offer and will be leaving in 3 weeks. Or one of you could win the lottery tomorrow.

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

josephv

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

3
"In general, worrying about the future does not work, since you have about zero control."
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

Hi Greg, your point on risk assessment is well taken. Just a few additional thoughts.

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

I am with the golden rule on this one.

RE: Co-worker looking for job

GregLamberson wrote,"... bang you are gone."

Man, you'd shoot your employee? Tough boss... poke

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

I just talked to a project manager I work with from another company and got a good lesson on this.

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

I thought it was the other way around, you get benefits if you are fired, not when you quit?

"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

I think it depends on the rules

RE: Co-worker looking for job

2
In California:

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

Quote (Gymmeh):

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.
Wow... imagine the fallout on that one if it was later determined the guy wasn't really looking for a job.  not to mention it's no one's freakin' business what I do in my off hours, including looking at other jobs.  I can understand if someone was using company resources/time to do so, but if I did it on my own time I'd try suing their pants off for wrongful termination.

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: Co-worker looking for job

I am sure he will tell me more when I get a chance to talk with him again.

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

PS. mac, he was looking for a job smile

RE: Co-worker looking for job

wow, he got fired because he was looking for another 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

At a previous job a few years ago my manager asked me out of the blue, "Why are you visiting Monster.com?"  This lead me to believe either the company had tracking software, or someone in IT was playing Mother Hen.  I told him I was looking for a "friend".  Nothing came of it, but now if I need to visit a questionable website during working hours, I'll use my cell phone.

"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

(OP)
Thanks for all of your input.

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

I cant see from your tone, are you happy (relatively speaking) with the way things worked themselves out?

RE: Co-worker looking for job

Are you mad that he didn't go home when you told him too?  Are you his boss?

RE: Co-worker looking for job

(OP)
I just became the project manager for the project 4 weeks ago.  To late to determine who was/wasn't going on the trip.  I was and still am the lead engineer.

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

OK, now I am a bit confused, how did he go from being a "good engineer" and someone you did not want to leave in the middle of a project... to this behaviour? There were no signs of trouble before?

RE: Co-worker looking for job

controlnovice
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

I must have missed the point that you are the Project Manager.  That changes things COMPLETELY!  I was working under the impression that you were just an individual contributer.  I would vocalize your concern to your co-worker about seeing his personal email from the other company.

RE: Co-worker looking for job

He might be a good engineer, but he obviously likes to party when away from home and on site.  As the PM you should raise concerns about his inability to perform his job and the "receipt of resume" email.

"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

I would not be so quick to assume the the subject can or should be booted.  While you are not his "boss", as a Project Manager, you are his boss while on the project.  As such you have an obligation to try and get the person to get their act together, particularly if his behavior affects the performance of YOUR program.  You can and should consult with his functional manager about your "concerns" of possible alcoholism.  There may, or may not, be a suitable outcome for all, but it's too early to make that prognostication.  He might be going through a divorce, or whatever.  If his work is otherwise beneficial, then straightening him out is easier and cheaper than hiring a new person and training him.

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

Accusing or implying that someone is an alcholic is a slppery sloap.  Are you a doctor or trained health care professional?  If not are you a lawyer, if your not you may need one.
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

A working drunk or not, I believe drinking on the job is grounds for dismissal in most positions.  He was scheduled to work at a specific time and knew what the time was... even if he was not sitting at his desk, he was still on the job.  Showing up to work in such a condition that it is obvious to others says he was drunk.  If he was unable to wake up after multiple attempts and then missed his flight due to his tardiness (which was due to his inebriation), well... I would fire him, too.

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: Co-worker looking for job

Companies do not pay the specific unemployment claim, rather the rate paid by the company is determined by the industry experience in claims.  Thus all engineering firms pay the same rate regardless of their claim history.  Companies who try to deny or minimize claims help the industry, not their specific rate.

RE: Co-worker looking for job

My point is:
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

But the drunk person wasn't supposed to be working, just sitting on a plane going home.  However, the person was so drunk that they missed their flight, and had to stay and extra day, right?

RE: Co-worker looking for job

Something fishy here.  Are you seriously saying that you work for a company that would fire you because you missed your flight at 4.30 am after having a few beers the night before?

"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

This would be a good story to get both sides of. There is more to this picture than were getting.

RE: Co-worker looking for job

I agree...From a
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

I'm just wating for the next twist in the story.  Sex? drugs?

- Steve

RE: Co-worker looking for job

SomptingGuy
You forgot Rock-and-Roll.

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