RE: Lack of self-awareness in a writer...what to do

["Lauren" <lt34 -at- csus -dot- edu>]

Hi Anon Pub Manager,

This is an interesting situation in that the "Senior" Tech Writer has more
experience with the company than you do.  Don't be intimidated that he's
been with the company longer than you have.  If the company was fine with
Tom being senior, then they would not have hired you.  If I'm reading your
post correctly.

I like the ideas of other posters of documenting the issues and learning the
HR process for firing.  I also like Brian's idea of creating a checklist of
things that the writer "will" do.  I think that there might be an issue in
making the senior writer feel singled-out with a personalized checklist, so
I would probably develop a checklist that everyone uses for the process for
each documentation project.

Since you want to make sure that Tom follows the process, you can have Tom,
because he is senior <wink>, develop the checklist.  You need to verify that
the checklist is accurate and complete and you should talk to other tech
writers as necessary.  Document and approach this 'task' according to HR's
standards for documenting confrontations with employees.  Review the
checklist and, if there are errors and ommissions, then confront Tom and
bring HR into the meeting, if necessary.  Allow Tom an opportunity to
correct the checklist, per HR standards, and get a complete and accurate
checklist.

You might also need to take control of all of the work that goes through Tom
and set up like a "process review."  Directly tell Tom that you are
concerned that he is not following the group's processes.  Document and
approach this according to HR processes.  Have Tom review every step of the
documentation process with you before checking it off of the list.
Communicate any issues to HR according to HR standards.

Eventually, Tom will either improve, quit, or give you just cause for firing
him.

Lauren
 

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