Need advice on firing employee.?

Question

I am a manager of a huge apartment complex. There have been many residents that have told me that the maintenance man has not been doing his job. (we work different shifts) I work first and he comes in after I get off. I have heard that he spends lots of time in one certain apartment and gets jobs done quickly for one specific resident. Takes a week or longer for other jobs. He stands around talking to residents or chatting on his cell phone. How can I catch him? I live on site. I'd have to go through my regional to have him fired. I am in a fire at will state.Advice please.

Answer 1

Either try catching him in the act or just fire him.

Answer 2

There ought to be some kind of paperwork that is filled out for jobs that need to be done and an accountability for the time between the date work is requested and the date work is completed. That is for his protection and the protection of the complex. If you are his supervisor then I would talk to him or tell him that you need to work with him a few hours one afternoon or something. You'd probably know by his reaction if he was doing his job or not. If you still weren't sure you could follow through with the observation, and see how that goes.

Answer 3

First start documenting what you have been hearing. It would be good to have some of the residents put their complaints in writing to help your case. At some point you will have to face him and give him formal warning(s) depending on the policies of your company.
Although you are in an "AT WILL" state, generally employers do not exercise that right unless there is gross misconduct or it is within a probationary period. The exposure for lawsuits is too great.
Your best bet again is to start the paper trail.

Answer 4

One thing that you can do is when an apartment calls to have a job done leave it for him and then ask the resident to call you specifically when it is done. Then if it took longer than necessary then document it and fire him.... Especially if your state is at will....

Answer 5

have him start keeping a log for example
time he starts a certain job until the time he stops the exact time with a note for any breaks he might be taking.... you should pick up on his work or lack of from this, it might be enough to make him shape up. if he asks why tell him there have been a few too amny complains about him.... or each person that has a complain tell then you want it in writing...after you get a certain amount go to him and tell him he is not fit for the job.

Answer 6

some jobs take longer than other jobs. some of them require a quick type of fix while others require parts to be ordered or things to dry one day for a whole day and then the next step done which involves something else that needs to dry before you can do something else. I would make sure that this isn't the case before you get fire happy.

Answer 7

Perhaps you need to get concent from those residents who reported him to you. Let them know that you want to sort out the situation so their requests can be attended to on time. However, there is nothing you can do about it, as you have not seen him in action, but with their agreement to mention their names when you meet with the maintenance guy would help you get a better result.

If you want to catch him on action, it pays to ask him to give you the time he will do the job and visit him un announce.

To cover yourself is to say you forgot his number and there is an urgent request you need him to do.

Good luck with your decision.

Cheers

Answer 8

You don't necessarily have to "catch" him. Evidence is good enough.. Example: letters from the tenants that aren't getting their work done as fast stating what the problem is and how long it has taken to get done. Then do some research about how to get these things done/ what a reasonable length of time to do that work is.

Answer 9

Give him a written warning stating the concerns. ( I am concerned that things are not being done in a timely manner. Please write out your work schedule and what is on your list. The things from this list that are not completed put on the next list for the next day.) That way you can see how much he is actually doing so you can see what he is doing on company time. Then, follow up and check out the things he said he did, to see if it is actually being done.

Answer 10

get those who complain to file petitions and write formal complaints regarding his behavior. also get testimony from that apt which he spends time in a lot. would further prove his favoritism for one person and not the others. you have any cameras in your complex. use them for evidence if you do. or take photos of him lounging around. then present all to your regional and toast his a*ss

Answer 11

Try talking to him, explain that some of your tenants are unhappy with the lack of service.

Then if he doesnt change, by all means, let him go. If your tenants are willing to pay rent, then they deserve a maintaince man who willing do the job he or she is paid to do.