need an anonymous place to vent...lol

So I work in a restaurant. And this particular season we seem to have a really good crew, everybody can hustle, keeps it clean, and remains professional and courteous under pressure. 
 
2 years ago it wasn't like this. Particularly, our dishwashers. We had one who just plain sucked, and no amount of telling him or showing him how to do it right ever made two licks of difference in his performance. Well, this kid, happens to be the son of a waitress, whom we all adore, and because of this I wasn't allowed to fire him 2 years ago, when after much frustration, we set measurable limits (which he failed to meet) for continued employment, in writing and made him sign it.
 
So fast forward a year, he traveled the world a bit on a culinary program, and one of our current employees is leaving for greener pastures, so we agree to hire him at a position above the last. Last night was his first night....and not a damn thing has changed. He is lazy, sloppy, slow, talks too much...and on top of that, tried to give our newer employees advice about what they were doing, when all of them could outperform him blindfolded and half drunk. 
 
Though I doubt my boss has the spine to cut him loose, I determine my necessary workforce nightly, and he'll get 2 more days to prove he's more than bunch of empty words, and after that......he'll have weekends off indefinitely. 
 
I absolutely refuse to reward someone for doing a bad job, slowly and sloppily, when he had ample opportunity to learn how to do it right (he washed dishes for 3 years, and never once improved any habits regardless of all the advice and help he received). 
 
So, because my town is so small....I came here to blow off some steam. 
 
We all spent a lot of time trying to correct his behaviors in the past, I will not waste any more in the vain hope that somewhere deep down inside him there is something that might resemble a work-ethic. 
 
 

cut him loose!

upon hiring is there a probationary period? I worked at a place where for the first 6 months you were on probation in that time if I felt you weren't performing up to MY expectations you were given counseling first ( didn't have to do this either but I always did) after that it was "sorry you just don't mesh". my boss gave me full control over any help situations, as he said "you got to work with them not me "

Tell him IN PRIVATE he's got two days to shape up and work or he's gone. He's an adult. He can take it (or should).

What's the problem? Who's running the asylum? You or the inmates? This is a no brainer. Give ulcers, don't get them!
The Lesson for future management decisions---"Leopards don't change their spots"
 It's a very rare occasion when someone changes their behaviors.

From the Washington State department of Labor & Industries web site:
[link=javascript:doShowHideDisplay3('hide1');] Is it legal for a worker to be fired from their job without any notice?[/link]
The law does not require a business to give a worker notice before terminating their job. Nor does the law require workers to give notice before quitting. However, the business may make payment of benefits (such as vacation pay) a condition of the worker giving notice.

lornaschinske

Tell him IN PRIVATE he's got two days to shape up and work or he's gone. He's an adult. He can take it (or should).

He may change for a couple days but will eventually revert back to previous behaviors. Not worth it. Can him now!

Definately needs cut loose. The biggest problem a poor employee brings is a loss in moral. They will bring the rest of the crew down with them

We all know that a good dishwasher is absolutely essential in a restaurant kitchen.  If this person is not cutting it, fire him. 

Thanks for your replies everybody. Every one of you is right. Thankfully, I no longer have the power to fire anybody. When it became obvious our team was heavily populated with losers, and I complained a wee bit too much, my boss said "OK then, you're in charge".
 
So I tried to help and support and train these guys, to no avail, and after a series of personal failures from this particular employee, we made him sign a document notifying him of the behaviors we considered unacceptable (I drafted it, and got the bosses OK), and that his future employment was predicated upon compliance with this document. 
 
One week later he broke one of the commandments, and I told my boss I'm more than willing to be the bad guy, and cut him loose. After he discussed this with his partner, they decided it would be too "rude" to fire the beloved son of one of our better waitresses. 
 
So I declined any future responsibility for team members. 
 
I volunteered to be the a-hole because nobody else had the spine, and when push came to shove, my employers caved and let the kid stay on. 
 
That's why I came here to vent. There is nothing I can do (or want to, try to do) in regards to this situation. If he continues to be worthless, I will just "never be busy enough to need him" on my shifts. PRoblem solved. 

Update your Resume and move on!

Foodbme


Update your Resume and move on!

 
Agreed. If management isn't willing to make sure their workforce is up to snuff then they aren't equipped to run a proper business.

This might be a sneaky plan but - Have you tried carefully talking to the waitress who is so prescious to the restaurant? Maybe she can kick the kid in the butt or If she knew he was not working out maybe she would approach the owners letting them know she is alright with him being let go. She must see that he is a burden on the whole team. 

Either update your resume and move on or go all the way and open your own restaurant.

As far as moving on goes, that's why I came here, because I will. 
 
I have had one small email discussion with our resident HD official (who does not seem to have any interest in being helpful), and I need to talk to her live on the phone to get a few answers sorted out (the position is only part-time, and most of that time she's in the field).
 
If she and I can determine that what I am attempting is "approve-able", then I can hunker down and start costing it out. 
 
 

cracker75

As far as moving on goes, that's why I came here, because I will. 
I have had one small email discussion with our resident HD official (who does not seem to have any interest in being helpful), and I need to talk to her live on the phone to get a few answers sorted out (the position is only part-time, and most of that time she's in the field).
If she and I can determine that what I am attempting is "approve-able", then I can hunker down and start costing it out. 

Why do you insist on beating a dead horse? Just move on to someplace else.
Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.
You've lost my interest in trying to help you. Good Bye.

Foodbme, what in the hell are you referencing? Your response baffled me.