Opinions please

Well I created another mess for myself at work.

A co-worker is expecting his first baby. We work at a minimum wage job with no guarantee of a minimum amount of hours and no benefits. I'm not particularly fond of this co-worker, but he's an excellent worker.

Any way here's the problem. He'd made a comment a few weeks ago that he'd hoped to be hired by one of the larger companies nearby by now. New baby on the way, he needs a steady income with benefits. My husband came home from work yesterday and said that the hiring freeze where he works has been lifted. I immediately thought of this guy.

We happened to be working immediately together today, so I told him that hypothetically the largest company in the area is now hiring, they pay very well, insurance benefits start immediately upon being hired (even with new baby on the way, mother and child are also immediately covered by insurance). I mentioned that if he was interested, he could put my husband down as a reference which would put his application on the short list. (Translation - as long as he's able to pass the physcial, he'll get the job).

Now my boss is absolutely livid. My name is mud. She's going to discuss this with the owner of the company we work for (which is not even in the same general field as the one he's applying to. We work at a fast food joint and the place he's applying to is a manufacturing plant).

One the one hand, I don't think I did anything morally or ethically wrong. He'd been actively looking for another job, and would have been informed of the openings in this company had he gone to job services on Friday afternoon rather than in the morning. But on the other, this confrontation has left me feeling guilty.

So what do you think, should I have kept this information to myself? Was I wrong? Did I cross a line?

No, you were not wrong... people do what you did all the time (no biggy).

BUT -
I cant help but wonder how the boss found out you told him in the first place.

You did absolutely nothing wrong. People pass on word about jobs all of the time, it's called networking. I too wonder how your boss found out, but he/she should get over it. People are naturally going to look for better jobs when they can - that's part of reality.

--splitimage

You did a nice thing for someone who needed a better job. That's very kind of you and there's nothing wrong/unethical, nothing, with helping someone do better. I think you did a good thing.

You did a good thing AAAA. Very genorous of you to put this hard working fellow worker in touch with a great opportunity.

Are you in trouble with your boss becuase of this? Or is the boss making it hard on you for doing this. Or is the boss just ticked off because he/she may be loosing a good worker? Any way, it's a free country and if this is the case, I'd say, the boss better get over it! Hang in there. You would appreciate that tip, if it had been you.

Wondering how the boss found out.
I think you were very kind to let this person know about the other company hiring!

Why is your boss making a big deal out of this? I dont get it.

Reminds me once again of the old saw, No good deed goes unpunished.

My boss found out because I have a co-worker with super sonic hearing... seriously. She overheard me giving the co-worker with new baby on the way hubby's info, she told boss about the conversation. The reason she asked about it is because it's common knowledge that I really don't care for this co-worker. He's a good worker, don't get me wrong, but his personality drives me up a wall, so we weren't exchanging info for social reasons.

The big deal, in my boss's point of view is that I am stealing her work force. She sees it as a "stab in the back".

ugh. well, nice to know which co-workers are double agents...

pffft. All you did was give information, it wasn't "back stabbing" or "stealing".

I'm still feeling torn. It was somewhat disloyal, but I can't say that I'm sorry. I appreciate the fact they gave me a job, but in exchange I go to work every day I'm scheduled (and many I'm not). I show up on time and prepared to work. I work hard and earn every penny. We'll see what happens if my boss does decide to take this up with the owner of our store. I won't lie, I'll tell him flat out that I became aware of vacancies and I knew that this man was seeking a stable, predictable income.

well, if it comes down to that then honestly is the best policy

Your boss sounds like an extremely selfish and insecure person. I think what you did was very generous and admirable....especially considering you don't even care much for the guy. I also think you should consider finding alternative employment...because your boss sounds like an asshole.

Agree with Sebe. the days are gone when a boss could claim that kind of control over an employee as his or her RIGHT: sure it's still done, but one generally is smart enough to call it something else. The fact is, if this guy didn't want to stay, then he'd be gone anyway. Your helping him find another job didn't really change that fact. Your boss needs a reality check. Do you want me to send him/her one? Warning: it might bounce! Huggs,

I want to say again that I think you did was very humanitarian, kind, generous. Your kindness was able to be there in spite of his personality being annoying to you. You considered his family, his child and gave them a possibility of hope. I think it's wonderful.
Your intentions were for your co-worker, and not against your employer.

I am sorry that you have to suffer for this.

A good employer wishes good employees could stay, but trusts their hiring skills to be able to hire another good employee--especially in this economy with so many good people looking for work! High employee turnover should be expected in minimum wage paying jobs. It is part of the nature of the business.

Well said everyone.

I do understand how you are feeling though, about
"I'm still feeling torn. It was somewhat disloyal, but I can't say that I'm sorry".

Here is my 'advise': Get over it and tell the truth if it comes up. I mean it in a very loving way. Sometimes the best way to say something is to just say it.

You did good.

I think you did a really nice thing, AAAAA. You don't even like this co-worker that much and you helped him find a better job. That is kind and selfless.

It's a free market economy out there and your boss should expect that if a worker finds a job that has benefits and a better salary, that the worker will leave. That's the way it works. Your boss is naive. Maybe if your boss gave better benefits and wages, his/her workers would stay around. My guess is the owner of the company will not be so naive and this will not be a big issue with him/her.

Sorry you have an evil co-worker who ratted on you to the boss. Honestly, AAAAA, the place you work sounds filled with awful people! Do you think you could get a job at the manufacturing company too?

You did nothing wrong. It sounds like this guy would have left anyway because he needs more than what that job can offer him at this point. Your boss is making way too big of a deal about it. This too shall pass....

Let's look at from the boss's point of view...he had a good worker that maybe he was planning on giving more hours to or maybe a raise...and in you step with another job for him...bam...no more good employee...so he is left with you whom he obviously can't trust...not only that but you did it on company time...A company is only as good as it's employees...on the other hand you got rid of someone you don't like...bully for you...

My Opinion

You did the right thing, AAAAA. Though I can see where your boss(es) may dislike what you did, the fact is your level of employment does not demand the company/corporate loyalty their status as managers may require.

If they take punitive action against you, they may be violating the law.

I worked for that manufacturing company for seven years. Sometimes I concider going back but it's really a younger person's job. I don't think I could put in the hours they require anymore, nor could I put in the physcial labor with the added 80 lbs I've put on since I left.

The owner was in the building for a short time today, I was expecting a call to the office but it never came. I found out later that my boss was out of the building while he was there running errands.

So either she calmed down and realized that I didn't break any rules, she's waiting to find out if he puts in his notice, or as someone mentioned, the owner realizes that he cannot compete with companies that offer benefits, stable work hours (I for example worked 2 days last week, 3 this week and 6 next week), and real wages.

I thought about facing this head on and asking her how the owner reacted, but I decided that I'll just wait and see.

I like your wait and see attitude AAAAAAAAAA, but try not get upset at every wrong look, etc. your boss may give you, it ain't worth it. You just keep on keeping on!

Sorry trance, I didn't see your post earlier. I do see my boss' point of view, which is why I'm conflicted.

The hour situation is rather complicated. This man is a relatively new employee (about 4 months). This is our slow period and there are literally 15 people ahead of him for more hours. As with most companies, the amount of hours you're scheculed is based upon your seniority, even with "last minute" notices. For example, if something were to happen and I would be unable to work, my hours would first be offered to those more senior people until they reach their 40 hour point. Even though this man may only be scheduled for 20 hours, a more senior person already given 30 hours has first choice.

Raises are also very tightly sceduled. We know how much we will get on our hire anniversary each year until we hit the cap. The wages between the two companies are really like comparing apples and oranges. If he decides to apply for this job, he has the ability to earn more at the new place than our General manager earns at our current place. Plus he'll have health and dental insurance, along with paid vacations and sick days.

I do not dislike this young man, there are just certain things I find irritating. We work in food service and there are rules reguarding personal and professional hygiene and food quality that he does not follow. I will not eat there when he's working. Management is well aware of the issue and just makes sure he's not there when we are being audited by our corporate office.

Well as an update, I was called into work today for an hour to cover for the manager's meeting. Boss there, owner there, and nothing was said. There was a second of panic, there is a manager there with the same name that happened to be standing next to me when the shift manager said "X, Boss and owner would like to speak to you." They were speaking to the other AAAAA.