I got my college-student kid an internship at the company where I work, thinking I was being a good parent. It has turned into a nightmare, as he is not performing well and embarrassing me. What to do?
This is one of those teachable moments when you must employ all of your skills as a professional and parent, sit him down calmly and, in a direct, quiet manner say, “I brought you into this world — I will take you out!” without so much as blinking.
Unless he isn’t qualified to be an intern, I’d give him exactly one chance and one day to make it right and sustain it for the duration of the internship.
Make it clear that if he doesn’t, you will hit him hard where it hurts — in his wallet and whatever other privileges you can control.
If that doesn’t work, then you should have known better.
Take him out of the role, and apologize to your colleagues. Anyone with teenagers will understand and empathize, and it will be fine.
My boss is a jerk. He is very effective at what he does, but is he allowed to be a jerk because of it? Do I have to become a jerk, too, to get ahead?
Bosses who are jerks are no better than playground bullies. Understandably, most employees don’t stand up to jerks because they fear for their jobs.
So here’s an open message to all of you jerks — and you know who you are: How would you like it if someone treated your mother, spouse or child like a jerk at work?
Did you skip kindergarten — where you learned to stop, look and listen, be nice, say please and thank you, and use your inside voice?
If you have or know a boss who is a jerk and you can’t (or are afraid to) deal with them directly, ask HR for advice — and maybe you want to send this column to the jerk anonymously!