My idiot

[Spanky]

Sorry for the length. You can make it shorter by reading the next paragraph and the last two.

So 3 weeks ago I was told I was going to be getting another person added to my shift. This person use to work in our Robot shop and is in our department so I know him and his work (or lack of it). So let me set this up with a little description of him. The first thing you would notice is that he is a little over weight (by maybe 250lbs and I am not trying to be funny with the amount, the man has to weigh over 400lbs). He tends to be a bit lazy because of this, unless he is surfing the internet or playing games at home. He calls everyone in management who doesn't agree with him a "big flaming *bunghole*". And he has a problem getting to work on time. Because of his work ethic and mouth he had not gotten a raise in 5 years until this year and that is only because my manager figured after 5 years he should get something (call it pity).

We was told in Dec that he was going from the Robot shop (a very convenient hiding place I might add) to shift work to try and help get him back on track. Of course this was punishment. When you have a nice cushy job that is pretty lenient as far as time and actual work and you abuse it to the point that when you are needed you are not there something is going to happen. He had been told every year if he did not change he could loose his job. This move is his last chance.

My initial talk with him was first priority is the fab and starting to learn another tool set. Second priority is the robots. There was some resistance but we ended on a good note and I thought he understood what was expected of him. The first two weeks were going fine. He was working in the fab and contributing. He was visible to me and everyone else. Then this past Sunday...

He called me saying he was running late, might be 30 min late. He showed up only 5 min late so I just let it slide. The day was very slow so he disappeared to the Robot shop and spent probably 90% of the day out there. Again no big deal as we were very slow. Monday he called again saying he would be late and this time he was 30 min late. Again he disappeared to the shop. We weren't as slow but we handled it.

Tuesday morning we have a meeting with our manager and all the engineers. This guy walks in 5 min after the meeting starts like it's no big deal. We start talking about a wafer break (which is essentially a loss of $1000) and he gets defensive because he was the one who worked on the tool. He started throwing this attitude like the guy from Animal House "What are we suppose to do you moron?" and my manager tells him "You will not win this argument. If I were you I would just drop it here and now".

After the meeting he again goes to the shop even with multiple tools down in the fab. My boss asked me 3 times where he was so finally I called him in. And we decided to talk. So this is pretty much his argument:

"I am an expert on the robots and I should be paid for what I know. (and you are) I have done things that no one else would even try to do. (Not true, if someone else was in that position they would have tried also) I don't want to learn any new tools because I don't understand them and I don't care.(good answer, so you don't want to do your job?) I don't like working in the fab,(then why take a job at one?) my back hurts, I can't physically work on those other tools.(I wonder why?) I really don't want to work in the semiconductor industry but I don't have a choice. I only plan on being here as long as this fab is open and I think it is only 2 years. (You have a choice and we can help you with that in 2 years or sooner)"

He seems to think they are out to fire him but the truth is he has been given every chance in the world to improve and he chooses not to. He has been told 4 times in the past month to show us improvement and all it looks and sounds like is he is giving up. 

[Clive]

What a complete prick. I'd hate to have to work for you.

[Spanky]

 

[Clive]

I have to ask:

FIVE YEARS?  And he's still working there?  WTF!

Aren't you guys building your paper trail?

FWIW, the tools that he "can't" work on because his back hurts?  I'd make sure to communicate to him and his personnel file that working on those tools is an essential function of his job.  Wouldn't want him using the Americans With Disabilities Act against you.

[PaunchyBald]

Youse' guys hiring?   

[twoiron]

 

[Spanky]

I have to ask:

FIVE YEARS?  And he's still working there?  WTF!

Aren't you guys building your paper trail?

Yes we are. It takes a lot to get fired. (except for the big things like stealing, gross insubordination, streaking...you get the point.

And yes 5 years. Remember he only knows one thing and since we are one of the last companies that have them here in Dallas....you would think that alone would turn on that light bulb.

FWIW, the tools that he "can't" work on because his back hurts?  I'd make sure to communicate to him and his personnel file that working on those tools is an essential function of his job.  Wouldn't want him using the Americans With Disabilities Act against you.

The tools he can't work on is not because of his back, it's his size. He literally can not reach inside them because he can't fit. And yes he has used that as an excuse not to learn. It's not like his doctor hasn't warned him about it either. He has been informed of the facts as you say.

[Clive]

Whatever the specific reason, it's an open question whether morbid obesity qualifies as a handicap under the ADA.  Back, girth, lack of conditioning, whatever -- designating the activity as essential to the job means that even if one's handicap is the reason one can't perform that function, the ADA doesn't shield him from termination (or non-hire, if an applicant).

[Not your lawyer, not legal advice, seek competent counsel in your jurisdiction, etc.]

[Spanky]

I am sure we have plenty of legal counsel. We have an entire ethics department too.

[Blader]

What a coincidence.  I finally, after 3 years, got rid of my idiot.  His "disability" was his paranoid personality and the whole process of helping him find a career more tailored to his personality was complicated by (his) complaints of racism.  It is hard to have someone who works for you who can't trust you enough to show you his work product.

[stroh]

It is hard to have someone who works for you who can't trust you enough to show you his work product.

Well........ it is the copulation sector.  Probably suffers from performance anxiety.

[Blader]

It is hard to have someone who works for you who can't trust you enough to show you his work product.

Well........ it is the copulation sector.  Probably suffers from performance anxiety.

That's why god invented infallible drugs