help with an associate that i cannot break the barriers with.?

Question

i have worked at a company for over 11 years and have done every part of every job known to help with the business. After a minor promotion/change in position, someone was hired to take over one area of my job, he has been in the business for 25 years, and knows everything, except is learning how to work with our companies quirks and ways of doing things. I have been put out there on the floor to kind of get my hands into everything as the assistant to the president of the company, but now i am getting the cold shoulder from many who feel they are being "spied" on or feel why should 2 people do the same part of the job. It's always been more of a tag team than a "you do this, I do that" atmosphere, but the new employees don't "like" it. I have had words with one associate on many occasions and now the relationship is so strained that it's hard to even be in the same room with them. In order for the business to stay afloat we have to work in harmony, i've done everything but grovel.HELP

thank you all for the support, I don't want to have to grovel for being a team player. I'm not in high school, It's been hard when others feel threatened by change. I just want success for everyone. It's also that if I can't do my job right 22 lives are at stake with regards to a weekly paycheck. I can't have the small stuff ruin that. I just need to push forward, but don't have the support to do so. I just want that to be understood by all involved - it's not to be threatened like I'm looking over shoulders, Someone looking over something that I did may help with errors and or a better idea. That's what I'm trying to accomplish.

Answer 1

my point of view is,you try to be nice and doesn't work.people are giving you a hard time .all you can do is your job,if you are in charge they don't want to listen then show them you are in charge.call a meeting and let these new employees know the way things are run.if they don't like it they can and will be replaced.if it takes 2 people to get things moving so be it. as far as being spied on why do they feel that way,are they not doing their job.i ran a restaurant for many years,i was a nice person as long as you were doing your job.i recognized a good worker we had rewards for that. i did not hesitate to fire if needed.my out look is they are not going to pay my bills if i lose my job because they want me to back down. good luck.

Answer 2

It's a difficult question to answer easily. There's always a level of envy to deal with when employees, or associates (I'm assuming you're a superior) see someone moving up.
The cold shoulder treatment you're speaking about sounds like someone's taking it onto themselves to be judgemental for less than professional reasons, hence, counter productive and anti organization and therefore taking away from the goal of a company/business. Maybe you you look at this failure in that light. Beyond petty resentments, perhaps you should be more impersonal and businesslike. State or reason that it's a occupational reality, not something to be judged or scrutinized by this person, and beyond that, it's all a matter of said person agreeing and conforming to policy. See what I mean? Fellows need to get along but business, and the happy execution of it, always comes first.

Answer 3

While groveling might prove to be worth try since your co-workers would see that you are not trying to be better than them, and it would assist you in becoming "one" with co-workers, I would guess that the employees against change are the ones given the least amount of say-so. Try having sessions where some of these groups of people are allowed to "vote" and have soundboards from others in the group. When the bitter employees see that their unwillingness to be part of a team is not well-received, the majority may rule out. If allowing them to speak their mind and offer their opinions doesn't seem to help - let them have the proverbial rope they need to hang themselves.

Answer 4

NEVER let them see you sweat. Just walk up and explain how things work. If it is a new employee their the one that needs to fit in. But keep an eye out for tricks some people with an attitude try to get others in trouble. So just watch your back. And keep on keeping on.

Answer 5

Why should you even think about having to grovel? Don't you out-rank these people?
Its a matter of dis-respect - towards you.
Its not up to them to make company policy. If a "new" employee doesn't like it, tell him to hit the road. There are plenty of others who would gladly fill his place in a heartbeat.