Work dilemma

[Henrietta75]

So I worked at place A for 18 months in admin and shared an office with another 5 people. The manager was a very nice man but not really good manager material in that he didn’t deal with issues clearly and often reversing himself. Still pleasant enough atmosphere.

During my time there one of the team was very awkward. They constantly needed the heater on in spring while we all baked, going on holiday we discovered loads of mistakes that we had to rectify. An amateur singer and sang constantly which we all hated, constantly late, never tidied after themselves, abrupt with customers...real nightmare on some days. If there was an issue it would be them and another with this person the constant. I didn’t complain to the manager but 2 others did at separate times and nothing changed.

Anyway they resigned much to huge relief and I never saw them again.

Been in a new job for 3 weeks now myself (original company closed down) and low and behold nightmare walks in for interview. I didn’t speak to them as was other side of the office.

Later in the day the manager says can I speak to you on Monday about potential new recruit ?

Would you say truth (what I experienced) or keep quiet and hope they’ve changed ?

Why would they have changed? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Be balanced but accurate - why would you want to work with them again?

Tell the truth and give the company an chance to escape.

Definitely mention it! Save your new colleagues and yourself from this person.

Of course you tell the truth. Factually and unemotionally with clear examples.

He won’t have changed and frankly if he annoys everyone at your new place and you’ve not said anything that is going to reflect poorly on you.

I would keep it factual and only comment on his job performance.

So the heater and singing points maybe leave out - if he does that, it's up to colleagues / manager to address. But say "he was often late - I can remember at least X occasions in the last month when he was more than half an hour late". Being abrupt with customers could be subjective, but if you have a specific example of a mistake he made, then maybe mention that.

Tell the truth about them as a worker (the mistakes, bring abrupt, being late) and carefully say that they were tricky to work with at times on a personal level but mainly keep to the work related issues

Tell the truth, I wouldn't want to work with someone who is lazy, late and rude to customers.

As others have said, be honest, but in a calm and professional and polite way.

Definitely tell the truth. If you didn’t it could come back to bite you. For example if they got the job then started the same behaviour, they may come down on you Asti why you didn’t say anything

Tell the truth - but prepare what you want to say first so it doesn't come out in a bitchy, gripey way but is factual and with your company and colleagues' best interests at heart.

As to why!!

Mention the professional issues and that he was spoken to several times but did not improve-that’s quite significant. No company wants someone who can’t be flexible and improve.

I'd absolutely tell the truth, in a professional manner.

constantly late, never tidied after themselves, abrupt with customers

Mention the above as this is to do with professional skills - but not the heating - some people are naturally cold!

Absolutely tell the truth. It will come back and bite you if you don't

@Shizzlestix

Mention the professional issues and that he was spoken to several times but did not improve-that’s quite significant. No company wants someone who can’t be flexible and improve.

This. Keep it factual and professional, and if you have examples of some serious mistakes, that'll be enough to get your point across without resorting to the singing or heating issues.

I worked with a lady who had Raynauds syndrome and needed a heater on (and under) her desk in all weathers.

Be truthful!!!!

Whatever you do be honest ... it’s very unfair on all concerned if you don’t give the company the heads up that this person is a problem

I think after reading all the comments I’ll tell the truth - thanks for the tips!