Advice needed for work situation.

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Patrick_Hockstetter

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Ok, so I have a friend who was hired as a mid level developer.

Everything was going well until his boss started to mention that he was a senior developer and was not working as fast as he should.
They had a few meetings with him to tell him he was working a bit slow.

When he was employed it was made clear from both sides that he was mid level, however no letter of employment was drafted nor any type of employment contract given to him.

He was given an employment contract a year after hire stating that he is a senior developer and also needs to do functional and analysis work. He has not signed it.

Now, it is getting ugly, the company has lost a few big clients, money is short and the pressure is on him to perform. They are now bullying him, raising voices, ostracising him, constantly saying he is not performing.

What can he do? Should he just resign and leave or tough it out. From what I can see they are trying to get rid of him, that is why they are pushing the senior dev card, knowing he will not be able to perform and therefore be able to terminate employment

Any advice?
 
Since he started working there over a year ago. Two other guys have gone through the same procedure. They were not working "hard" enough, not performing, ignored, shouted at often, and eventually they leave. Not it appears its "his turn".
 
I bet most would tough it out. It's just another challenge, something most of us want.

But if he doesn't like it there, just quit and get it over with. Once you don't like working fora company it's over.
 
Why doesnt your friend work harder? We have all been at jobs where the demand is greater than the work that can be done in a 8 hour shift.
 
xcaliber said:
Why doesnt your friend work harder? We have all been at jobs where the demand is greater than the work that can be done in a 8 hour shift.
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Its not about working harder, he is a mid level programmer. They have turned around and are saying he is a senior dev and must do functional work. No offense to him, but he is not senior.

So its not about working harder, its a skill issue that comes with years of experience.
 
What about his payslip? Most payslips will have your job title. What did/does his say?
 
Also did he ask them when he was promoted to senior dev? He should ask for an employment contract bearing his signature where he agreed to such a position.

I personally wouldn't leave. It would be tough, but I wouldn't leave until I was good and ready.
 
Working weekends and after hours means jack when you are a dev.

How many years of exp. does he have?
What is his actually skill set?
Does he perform better with front end or back end type of dev?
Was he placed in the wrong position as a dev based on the previous question?
Is his salary in a senior dev bracket? (this doesn't really matter, he can go to HR with it and they will just laugh it off)

All in all, if he is unhappy, he should jump to a other company. If he does manage to perform (eventually), then he will still be suck with the mindset where this and that guy was against him (victim mentality).

And btw, your friend should work harder.
 
Patrick_Hockstetter said:
Its not about working harder, he is a mid level programmer. They have turned around and are saying he is a senior dev and must do functional work. No offense to him, but he is not senior.

So its not about working harder, its a skill issue that comes with years of experience.
Click to expand...

Experience can be fast tracked. My first job I was thrown in the deep end. Just tell him to buckle down and accept the responsibility.
 
Have you considered that your "friend" could just be a lazy arse who isn't pulling his weight?
 
Batista said:
Have you tried praying?
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I've tried that. Still haven't won the lotto :mad:

Anyway. If your friend is any good at his job then just jump ship - it should be easy to get a job if he has skills. I was in a job 2 years ago that made me utterly miserable, turned me into a real prick, always moody etc. I learned then that life is too short to be miserable at something you will potentially be doing everyday for a long long time.

Find a place that makes you happy and that you are comfortable at. If you don't you won't produce your best work anyway. Why would anyone want to stay where they aren't wanted?

Tell him to start interviewing for other jobs in the meantime. Once he gets an offer leave the current job ASAP. If he can't find another job then you can confirm that he doesn't have skills and then indeed the employer is correct. Either way they should be encouraging him to grow and learn more, not make his life hell.
 
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When he was employed it was made clear from both sides that he was mid level, however no letter of employment was drafted nor any type of employment contract given to him.

He was given an employment contract a year after hire stating that he is a senior developer and also needs to do functional and analysis work. He has not signed it.
Click to expand...

Why is nobody questioning this?? >.<
 
Well the one thing I have learnt with companies that are either losing clients or in financial difficulty is that there will always be a staff member made to be the scapegoat. I recently resigned from a company with a similar situation.
 
Tell your friend he doesn't have to take that crap. I for one would go to the boss and tell him exactly what I feel like because it sounds to me like they are putting him under unfair duress. He can always seek employ somewhere else.
 
S1ght said:
Why is nobody questioning this?? >.<
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Exactly my point. If he doesn't have a contract, technically he can't resign right? He's just a paid volunteer, or some such. Probably need to ensure that tax is being paid on his behalf, which would imply the company has at least given him an employee number or something.

Anyway, with no contract I'm pretty sure he can just walk out, which he'd clearly have done by now if work was unbearable if he'd wanted to. Working without a job contract is risky as hell ... I'd love to know how that's covered by SA Labour Law, and whether there is any protection granted in that case at all.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Exactly my point. If he doesn't have a contract, technically he can't resign right? He's just a paid volunteer, or some such. Probably need to ensure that tax is being paid on his behalf, which would imply the company has at least given him an employee number or something.

Anyway, with no contract I'm pretty sure he can just walk out, which he'd clearly have done by now if work was unbearable if he'd wanted to. Working without a job contract is risky as hell ... I'd love to know how that's covered by SA Labour Law, and whether there is any protection granted in that case at all.
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I think 30 days is default for 1yr
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Exactly my point. If he doesn't have a contract, technically he can't resign right? He's just a paid volunteer, or some such. Probably need to ensure that tax is being paid on his behalf, which would imply the company has at least given him an employee number or something.

Anyway, with no contract I'm pretty sure he can just walk out, which he'd clearly have done by now if work was unbearable if he'd wanted to. Working without a job contract is risky as hell ... I'd love to know how that's covered by SA Labour Law, and whether there is any protection granted in that case at all.
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I have met many people that have not signed any contract whatsoever...
I question this all the time and all they say is that they are going to talk to HR.
 
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