How should I handle people who are difficult to manage?

2019-11-25T15:25:38-05:00

I am a Mental health Worker for DMH here in Massachusetts. I had a discussion with a secondary pool staff member about job duties. He was trying to explain to me he does any and every assignment given to him including shaves etc. He was saying he has 7000 hours as an MHW etc.

I explained to him my lead MHW is the chief of training other MHWs(Mental Health Workers 1;2;3) for the state of Massachusetts on 3d shift(we have about 80 MHWs on 3d shift)and on my unit he would not be doing shaves etc. We have 4 classes of staff 1) regular(senior MHW1s normally stay on their assigned units); 2) float staff(junior MHws go around till they learn the clients) 3) secondary pool(housekeepers and kitchen staff that help out 4) orientees or 90-day seasonals (new hires) and 5) sometimes we have nursing students or psych interns.

I am still a secondary pool in the kitchen as I worked my way up from the kitchen. I am in my 16th year starting January 11th. Anyway, the different classes have different job duties and I was hoping my friends here that are or were sergeants in charge could chime in. I explained to him if my lead is the SGM in charge of training the battalion and I am an SGT(squad leader) and I am told a PVT does a certain assignment a certain way, then the PVT will do it that way. I was trying not to disrespect a former Marine, but he is difficult to manage as he is a Housekeeping Lead(FSW3) and knows everything.

I am a Senior MHW1 and put in charge of my unit sometimes and must follow the rules of Administration and not make my own. I was looking for input from NCOs about difficult to manage people.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 26 at 2019 6:53 AM

2019-11-26T06:53:29-05:00

Google the term Team lead, it is a civilian practice for people not quite in a leadership position, yet have oversight duties. There are some basic tenant associated that may help. NCO’s have military authority behind thier orders, you do not-the techniques are starkly different. You want to influence, as you cannot order. Good luck.

Response by William Barry made Nov 26 at 2019 8:11 AM

2019-11-26T08:11:03-05:00

The bottom line is when you do supervised shaves, one shaver and two blades need to return to your possession. The client is capable of turning it into a shiv or slicing their wrists with the objects. These types of incidents are the main reason for the abundance of caution by nursing administration.

I have no problem having a float staff or secondary removed if need be as I will not be putting my safety nor anyone else in jeapoardy. I don't want to disrespect a service member if at all possible. I know the Marines drill into you that you are capable of anything.

The administration entrusts me for my staffs' safety as well as the safety of 26 clients under my watch. Some are suicidal or assaultive and others are hardcore criminals or ex-gang members. We recently had an incident where a client took a movie CD, snapped it in half, and sliced an MHW's face with it. This assaultive behavior is the type of event that we are concerned with preventing.

Response by MSgt James Slawson made Nov 28 at 2019 10:58 AM

2019-11-28T10:58:36-05:00

Stay in your lane and tell him to do the same. Each rank and position have specific duties for a reason. Just let him know to do what he is supposed to and become a professional in that position first. Once he is ready to progress to more duties he can if a spot is available.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 28 at 2019 11:09 AM

2019-11-28T11:09:45-05:00

If he is doing a job in a way that is specifically prohibited, you show him the prohibition. If he is doing the job, just not in the way YOU want him to do it, you leave well enough alone (unless youbare in a direct supervisory position to the individual). If he is doing a job in a way THAT HIS boss doesn't like (but isn't written down), then you politely inform him that his boss said to do it a different way and let him make his own decisions.

Unless he is doing something unsafe - then you take more direct action involving your boss, his boss, or both.

It sounds to me like you have been moved into a position with some level of responsibility beyond just yourself, albeit a low level. However it also sounds like this individual does NOT fall within that scope of responsibility. You can attempt to influence, but in that "power dynamic" you have no real authority. Worry abiut YOUR lane.