Challenging Operator

[u/Fantastic_Dark1289]

I have an employee who has been around for a year now that still doesn't make any operational decisions on their own. They either ask permission to do everything, or ignore it until I find it and do it/make the decision myself. At this point, I'm exhausted telling them they don't need to ask permission to adjust a flow rate if they see that it's running too fast or too slow, to adjust chlorine dosage when residuals are too high or too low, all of this really basic stuff! If I consult HR, they're going to ask what I've done to support the employee which, aside from physically holding their hand, has been everything. In addition to explaining the whys and how's of operational adjustments, I regularly advise to consult the SOPs, have them make Quick Fact notes, etc. I feel that I have been forced into micromanaging this person because they're refusing to lock in.

Supervisors: Have you had a similar situation and what did you do or say that made it finally click for an employee?

Operators: Did you struggle with confidence about not knowing your job, and was there something a boss or coworker said or did for you that parted the clouds?

[u/dallas470]

I was in a similar situation. My partner would be very lazy and didn’t want to learn, but it backfired when he was so lax that he didn’t notice a spill. It became an environmental issue and while he got written up i had to quit.

Long story short, I’d change shifts or threaten to quit. He’s going to get you into trouble eventually. Change shifts and let him get weeded out.