What is this guy's problem?

Question

I began temping at a company several months ago. I work alongside an employee there who has been on board for 11 years.
He does his work, but most times I've been told that when I do things on the job, they're mostly things he should be doing......


And he'll get demanding over it. To him, from what I've been told, there has always been a problem between him and the temps that have worked there. Basically, we're pieces of s*it to the guy. At any rate, he has practically no personality, is very serious all the time and hardly talks to people that work in the company. He tries to be polite, but it always sounds contrived and forced.

He also doesn't come off as sincere. If you ever say something to him that he doesn't agree with, he'll threaten to go to the boss or hiring manager. He's done it in the past.

We have to drive our car down the road for some pickups several times a day. But he (not even a boss) contests this and will look at you with a

confused look on his face "I thought you were supposed to go 4 times". I'd kindly reply to him that I'm going 3......and then he would go over to my supervisor and complain when my supervisor directly told me to go 3 times. Why the difference between 1 time? Simple.....he's controlling and no one else in my dept. wants him to get his way. I'm getting hired full time there and will be with him all week, but I've been told I will not be working with him. He constantly checks up on me when I'm doing my work and also lifts his finger up when he needs to speak to me. I've been firm with him in the past but he doesn't stop being an ***.

Do you think he'll stay true to his word and change when i'm no longer a temp he could push around?

Answer 1

He's got a raging case of multifaceted insecurity.
Professionally: He's too insecure about his position in the company to believe that a temp can adequately perform a job similar to his.
Personally: He interacts with other people superficially, showing none of his personality for fear of being judged.
Ideologically: He appeals to a higher authority when someone disagrees with him because he's not secure in his beliefs to defend them himself.

The list goes on. I suggest you minimize your involvement with the guy.

Answer 2

The first two who answered have good points. I think the key is that he's been with the company for 11 years and he's sour that he hasn't gotten anywhere. (sounds like a real loser) He needs to realise that with an attitude like that, it doesn't matter how long he works anywhere, it'll be the same deal.

You could try to be friendly, but he'll probably just bring you down with him. try having a word with your boss that you want to work with him, but he makes it difficult. At least get the boss on your side.

Answer 3

He has had his way by continuing this behavior. Seems to be someone with bigger issues than the ones displayed at work. Stick it out until you are perm and then forget about him.

If you really need to stand your ground, let your supervisor know what he is doing or suggest to him to have a meeting with you & your supervisor if you are in any way offending him. That should get him to shut up.

Answer 4

i tell u .. being a temporary worker, you will not get the same respect even though u are doing the same thing as the permanent staff . they are just worried or being threatened that you will acheive the same position or even higher then them who have worked longer.. if he is nasty .. just be nice mabye compliment him, be sincere abt it and dont fight with him.. in time he will be even nicer to you than what u would have expected

Answer 5

Try inviting him out for a drink. Maybe he has a miserable home life. Maybe he is really lonely. If he still a jerk, you could tell him off when drunk. :)

Answer 6

i dont think hes any different to anyone , he treats everyone like crap