20th Dec 2018: Being Kind Does Not Always Pay
When this batch of two interns from RP came, I tried to be friendly to them but end up realising they aren't very keen in opening up. They were quiet, only spoke to each other, or the other intern and technicians. Somehow, they had their guards up when speaking to me, Lotchu, boss or our developers.
I remember vividly that I mentioned to them that this is a place where they get to be very hands on. They will always have something to do. But if there is something they prefer doing over another, they should have no qualms about bringing it up.
From my side convos with them, short ones, during lunch breaks, I understood that both the interns from RP prefers hands-on work to sitting down and handling admin work.
It all started when they asked if they can go for Friday prayers. Knowing that it was religious and important, I said okay. They had always completed their work on time then, and it was fine as long as they came back on time.
Recently, Boss feedback that they have a very passive attitude. On top of that, their work is very half-assed. It didn't help that Boss caught them doing nothing but just being on their phone.
Just last week, they came back after taking more than an 1 hour for lunch, with the reason being they went for Friday prayers. When asked on WhatsApp about who gave them the permission, no one replied. Boss demanded that they write an email to him to explain and cc their supervisors.
I jumped in to clarify it was my bad. I gave the reason as I mentioned above. That the prayers wasn't affecting their work (but that was before they started showing lapse in their work quality and performance). Boss chided me in front of them in the group chat and emphasized that was was no such allowance.
In a separate chat group, I explained again and he toned down. He shared more about why he felt so angry. Apparently, he has been very dissatisfied about their performance for quite a while and that coming back late was the last straw.
Right after that, I spoke to the two interns and our Technician, on what are the expectations and reminding them to act on what Jing said and instructed or tasked them.
I thought case close.
Nope.
Today, the supervisors from RP came. Halfway through their meeting with Jing, Jing summoned me. He called me outside the office to have a chat first and told me that the interns told their supervisors that he gave them permission.
At that moment, I felt very betrayed.
Out of goodwill, I had said okay to them for Friday prayers. Firstly, why didn't they have the sense to come back on time when we are in a busy period? Yes, religion is important. But so is the sense of responsibility. I'm sure the divine beings can be forgiving in such situation. Secondly, I have already admitted through the WhatsApp chat that I was the one who gave them the green light. Why did they have to say it was Jing.
As a result, on top of the "lack of enthusiasm", "bad work quality", they are adding on to themselves the label of "lying about the boss".
I had to go in with Jing to explain to the supervisors.
The supervisors then asked for some time to speak to the interns, supposedly to counsel them. I walked them out after they were down, and took the chance to clarify with them that I was the one who gave the green light, not Jing and we have no idea why they would say Jing gave the approval.
I was still feeling bad for them when the Boss nags at them and when the supervisors came.
Now, no more.
Good job, interns, good job. :)
I remember vividly that I mentioned to them that this is a place where they get to be very hands on. They will always have something to do. But if there is something they prefer doing over another, they should have no qualms about bringing it up.
From my side convos with them, short ones, during lunch breaks, I understood that both the interns from RP prefers hands-on work to sitting down and handling admin work.
It all started when they asked if they can go for Friday prayers. Knowing that it was religious and important, I said okay. They had always completed their work on time then, and it was fine as long as they came back on time.
Recently, Boss feedback that they have a very passive attitude. On top of that, their work is very half-assed. It didn't help that Boss caught them doing nothing but just being on their phone.
Just last week, they came back after taking more than an 1 hour for lunch, with the reason being they went for Friday prayers. When asked on WhatsApp about who gave them the permission, no one replied. Boss demanded that they write an email to him to explain and cc their supervisors.
I jumped in to clarify it was my bad. I gave the reason as I mentioned above. That the prayers wasn't affecting their work (but that was before they started showing lapse in their work quality and performance). Boss chided me in front of them in the group chat and emphasized that was was no such allowance.
In a separate chat group, I explained again and he toned down. He shared more about why he felt so angry. Apparently, he has been very dissatisfied about their performance for quite a while and that coming back late was the last straw.
Right after that, I spoke to the two interns and our Technician, on what are the expectations and reminding them to act on what Jing said and instructed or tasked them.
I thought case close.
Nope.
Today, the supervisors from RP came. Halfway through their meeting with Jing, Jing summoned me. He called me outside the office to have a chat first and told me that the interns told their supervisors that he gave them permission.
At that moment, I felt very betrayed.
Out of goodwill, I had said okay to them for Friday prayers. Firstly, why didn't they have the sense to come back on time when we are in a busy period? Yes, religion is important. But so is the sense of responsibility. I'm sure the divine beings can be forgiving in such situation. Secondly, I have already admitted through the WhatsApp chat that I was the one who gave them the green light. Why did they have to say it was Jing.
As a result, on top of the "lack of enthusiasm", "bad work quality", they are adding on to themselves the label of "lying about the boss".
I had to go in with Jing to explain to the supervisors.
The supervisors then asked for some time to speak to the interns, supposedly to counsel them. I walked them out after they were down, and took the chance to clarify with them that I was the one who gave the green light, not Jing and we have no idea why they would say Jing gave the approval.
I was still feeling bad for them when the Boss nags at them and when the supervisors came.
Now, no more.
Good job, interns, good job. :)
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