New co-worker

[Anonymous]

Question for folks- when you have a new coworker join your team, how much do you help that person get up to speed? Situation- new coworker will be at same level, I already have a social relationship with person at work (internal transfer), large gap in experience between the two of us (good for that person, for me- took step back career wise for work life balance.) our performance will be based by being compared against one another. By nature, I always want to help and do the right thing by the company and make it easier for the new person. When I look back at my career, I wonder if all my niceness has given others an advantage over me as I get them up to speed and at times is perceived the new person is a quick learner vs I'm a good teacher. I'm contemplating taking a different approach and minimally assisting in getting person up to speed and see how the person does on their own (and the person will probably do awesome anyway).

In similar situations, do you normally stick your neck out to get the person going or just keep out of it? My boss hasn't explicitly asked for me to mentor or get person up to speed.

[Anonymous]

I usually stick my neck out to help the person. I have benefited many, many times from people who have done the same for me over the course of my career. Ultimately you will both sink or swim on your own merits.

[Anonymous]

I generally offer to be available if they have any questions or concerns or want to bounce something off me. I can usually tell who is going to make it based on who actually seeks out assistance.

I have two new coworkers within the last 6-12 months.

Coworker 1 never asks for assistance or advice from anyone (we are a small group - 10 people) and has turned in work that our supervisor hates and is now on warning for performance issues.

Coworker 2 comes to each of us frequently and asks us to weigh in, make sure she is following our procedures accurately, etc. She's doing wonderfully and our supervisor loves her work.

[Anonymous]

I would but only if you are on too of your work and not behind. I don't see anything wrong with helping folks but don't bend over backwards. Keep it in balance.

[Anonymous]

Top^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I usually stick my neck out to help the person. I have benefited many, many times from people who have done the same for me over the course of my career. Ultimately you will both sink or swim on your own merits.

2nd - I have really appreciated when co-workers have done this for me and I try to pay it forward.

[Anonymous]

I know it is reality, but it is sad that in the workplace someone would think NOT to help because it would harm their career. I do get it though, it is just too bad.

Anyway, yes I would help as well. It looks good for you to be a team player... maybe just make sure your manager notices that they are coming to you as an expert?

[Anonymous]

My advice is to think and act like a man. What would a man do? You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

Men are more helpful and less paranoid.

[Anonymous]

Why da heck is this even a question? Why would you consider minimally helping someone just because you are going to be compared to them at review time? HOrrible horrible thought process. You will each be judged on your own merits and this new coworker's light will not dim yours in any way unless yours was already off to start with. Why would you not help a newcomer in your group just for competition sake?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why da heck is this even a question? Why would you consider minimally helping someone just because you are going to be compared to them at review time? HOrrible horrible thought process. You will each be judged on your own merits and this new coworker's light will not dim yours in any way unless yours was already off to start with. Why would you not help a newcomer in your group just for competition sake?

Agree completely.

[Anonymous]

I always try to help the new person. We've all been there and we've all had someone else do it forums, no?

I had someone not only not help, but actively try to confuse and misdirect me when I asked questions. She is probably the most insecure person I've ever met. Don't be that person.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with the majority. I have been in my office over 10 years and thus have trained many, many people. It is my nature to be helpful and I enjoy training people. However, the work we do is complex and it takes several months of intense training in addition to follow up questions after that in order to learn how to do the work. I've found that two things happen - 1) the person I've trained leaves after I train them I get stuck doing the work again, and/or 2) the person ends up getting promoted while I am actually supporting much of their work. I don't mean to be cynical, but all the time I spend training takes away from time that could be invested in new ideas and projects, and ultimately slows my career growth. Now I refer trainees to other sources and minimally train on those things they can only learn from me. I do try to document any training I provide so that it will be available for the next person. If I was recognized more for providing training, I might have a different approach, but I refuse to continue to hinder my own career growth for someone who will leave by the time they figure out how to do the work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Men are more helpful and less paranoid.

Soooooo not true. My last workplace was full of backstabbing, competitive men.

[Anonymous]

Be helpful but not to the extent you don't have enough time to do your own work.