work refusal

[vickyp]

#79383

There is a particular employee that seems to be difficult when it comes to their job that they have been performing for some time. The job has not changed; when things are not their way or they do not want to work with another employee who happens to be scheduled to work on the same machine, they refuse to work with them because they simply do not like them. Very happy employee and seems no matter what supervisor or manager at the time can not please this employee. My question is: if they simply do not want to work on the machine with particular people, they get upset and refuse; if they are obliged, they continue; but now they are telling the manager that they will not do a particular job on that machine, and it takes three employees to run it. Now they say their backs hurt, but all three employees switch up the rotation on the machine. They have not brought this to my attention; they have not requested accommodations, nor have they brought in a note. They refused to do two of the positions on the machine and will only do one position. My question is, “What is the line of accommodation?” as I have already accommodated myself right now to only work in one position and not rotate with the other two so we can keep the machine running.

[vickyp]

#79384

If the employee has a legitimate health issue, you would have a duty to accommodate, but that would require a physician’s note, which it doesn’t sound like you have been provided. It seems like there are strong interpersonal issues between the employees that need to be addressed, and this isn’t actually a problem with the running of the machinery. We would recommend a clear conversation about roles and expectations. If the employee wants to stay in the job/role, this is what is expected (a,b,c). If the employee cannot meet the expected behavior, it might be time to move on. But before having this ultimatum, it would be worth your time and effort to try and find out the root of these interpersonal issues/conflict, there might be a good reason behind it, or there might be a minor misunderstanding that once resolved turns everything around.

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