Friday I began a countdown of the top ten things rookies should avoid saying to not be labeled “that guy.” It is never easy to be a rookie. It is also not easy to deal with a rookie who always seems to be in your way as a veteran. These are the mistakes every rookie should make an effort to avoid in order to prolong the patience of the veterans on the staff. This is a list of very easily dodged potential landmines in a new working environment.
The first items on this list were more related to things “that guy” does to annoy his coworkers. This section of the list represents the things that are done to offend your coworkers. Being annoying is significantly more forgivable than being offensive. The first six items on this list could be considered minor infractions. The top four features ways to permanently annoy your coworkers. Any of these violations could result in you being labeled “that guy” forever.
Here are the top four infractions that could make you “that guy.
Read the full post at Restaurant Laughs
Dec 06, 2010 @ 11:58:46
Great post. The best rule for the FNG is to just shut up and work for the first 90 days or so…
The “Wanna Go Out To Dinner” thing can be problematic for management too. When staff start dating one another it inevitably involves one of your best employees with one who would most likely be the first one put over the side in an overcrowded lifeboat. Shark Bait will eventually do something resulting in termination, and the indignant SO will often feel the need to go down with the ship and quit, too; so it turns into a Win/Lose.
Dec 06, 2010 @ 22:54:18
My philosophy was always while I am new and in the way I should probably clean alot. I may not know the computer, but I can clean and run food with the best of ’em.
After causing an uproar at my restaurant with my “why not to date coworkers” post I am pretty cautious about commenting on coworker dating. I have witnessed what you speak of though. I have also noticed in the rare example of the shark bait not being the one fired, the bait doesn’t show the same loyalty.
Dec 08, 2010 @ 14:21:06
We are a very close crew. Some of us have worked together for more than 3 years, and nearly everybody went to school together. We have seen each other at our worst, we’ve cried to one another, squabbled with one another, had each other’s backs in bar brawls, and cleaned up the puke. It’s always fun when the summer help comes in and tries to start trouble among us. The smackdown they receive is hilarious and should be caught on tape. So yeah, know the backstory before you start stirring the pot.