# Hands off (figuratively) my student worker! I pit co-workers that try to monopolize support staff. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 4, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952 "2013-03-04T00:48:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/21 "2013-03-04T18:27:37Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > šŸ˜•What if his name is Donald? Donald is taller and looks a little like Bobby. Bobby actually has lighter hair has a peg leg that is a dead giveaway. Glad to help, Bubba ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/22 "2013-03-04T19:11:15Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > I realize it sucks that the university doesnā€™t allocate enough budget money to offer the library a full range of support staff including numerous paraprofessionals, but the kid was hired specifically to work for me. That means I get first dibs on his 5 hours a day and Iā€™ve got a stack of stuff that needs to be done. I am considering hanging a sign on his cube that says: Student Xā€™s supervisor is ZPG Zealot. Do not give him work unless you clear it with her first. I think thatā€™s polite enough, since it seems to be problem with a lot of people. Thoughts? I think this could leave him vulnerable to hijacking in the event that someone corners him while heā€™s away from his cubicle. Either put it on a sign you hang around his neck, or embroider it on a vest that you have him wear to work. ---
**Author:** ![Disgscen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f05b48/32.png) [@Disgscen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disgscen)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/23 "2013-03-04T20:17:17Z")
If you put a sign on the studentā€™s desk he has to look at it constantly, and discuss it with the curious, and either justify it or pass on the blame. But youā€™ve said that heā€™s not the problem. Skip the sign, confront the problem. Email the troublemakers directly. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/24 "2013-03-04T23:29:14Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Thoughts? You should call the cops. Why, figuratively putting their hands on him is close to shaking his hand, which is rape. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/25 "2013-03-04T23:34:34Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I think this could leave him vulnerable to hijacking in the event that someone corners him while heā€™s away from his cubicle. > > Either put it on a sign you hang around his neck, or embroider it on a vest that you have him wear to work. But a sign or vest could get lost. I suppose a tattoo is out of the questionā€¦šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/26 "2013-03-04T23:38:26Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > ā€¦So she started following us into the bathroom to see who it was. Well, she better not have anything else in mind, because Iā€™m not that kind of a boy! I know some of the guys here are no better than they should be, but Iā€™m strictly a dinner and a show, minimum! OK, a hot dog and a beer. But thatā€™s it! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/27 "2013-03-05T22:09:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, she better not have anything else in mind, because Iā€™m not that kind of a boy! I know some of the guys here are no better than they should be, but Iā€™m strictly a dinner and a show, minimum! OK, a hot dog and a beer. But thatā€™s it! Heh. Pretty sure she batted for the other team. ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/28 "2013-03-06T01:08:33Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > ā€œI would be glad to do your assignment but please run it by ZPG Zealot first as she is my supervisor.ā€ Exactly what I did with my student worker in the same situation. I have one instructor who seems to think that my 12 hour/week freshman filing/receptionist kid is his personal TA. Another staff member brought it to my attention, apparently it was making the student worker very uncomfortable not knowing how to answer him. Now she has a convenient, agreeable, shutdown-the-bullshit reply ready whenever he comes trotting upstairs expecting her to grade 120 exams. I told her not to be afraid to make me ā€œthe bad guyā€; I donā€™t mind arguing with these assholes, and sheā€™s just a kid learning how to do something other than scoop ice cream and fold sweaters. Tangent: what kind of idiot asks a 1st semester undergrad to grade papers??? :dubious: I had to explain to the same guy that he couldnā€™t ask any undergrad employees to make his exam copies either. Trust is great, but why tempt them? /tangent/ ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/29 "2013-03-06T01:41:55Z")
> [@orderfire](#): > > Exactly what I did with my student worker in the same situation. I have one instructor who seems to think that my 12 hour/week freshman filing/receptionist kid is his personal TA. Another staff member brought it to my attention, apparently it was making the student worker very uncomfortable not knowing how to answer him. Now she has a convenient, agreeable, shutdown-the-bullshit reply ready whenever he comes trotting upstairs expecting her to grade 120 exams. I told her not to be afraid to make me ā€œthe bad guyā€; I donā€™t mind arguing with these assholes, and sheā€™s just a kid learning how to do something other than scoop ice cream and fold sweaters. > > Tangent: what kind of idiot asks a 1st semester undergrad to grade papers??? :dubious: > I had to explain to the same guy that he couldnā€™t ask any undergrad employees to make his exam copies either. Trust is great, but why tempt them? > /tangent/ Hmm, Iā€™m new in my department and just figured out today that a couple of undergrad student workers actually _wrote_ the exams. Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy? yes, yes I am. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/30 "2013-03-06T01:44:14Z")
Are you the actual boss as in the person who can hire and fire or the person the boss assigned the student to but has no actual power? ---
**Author:** ![orderfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orderfire/32/10908_2.png) [@orderfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orderfire)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/31 "2013-03-06T02:48:50Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > Hmm, Iā€™m new in my department and just figured out today that a couple of undergrad student workers actually _wrote_ the exams. Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy? yes, yes I am. What the hell??? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/32 "2013-03-06T14:14:32Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Are you the actual boss as in the person who can hire and fire or the person the boss assigned the student to but has no actual power? I am the hire and fire person. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/33 "2013-03-06T15:05:09Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > I am the hire and fire person. Of just the student worker or everyone else? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/34 "2013-03-06T16:19:11Z")
> [@Dissonance](#): > > You should call the cops. Why, figuratively putting their hands on him is close to shaking his hand, which is rape. She should just get a megaphone and walk up and down the halls yelling, ā€œSTOP RAPING MY ASSISTANT.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/35 "2013-03-06T16:50:05Z")
Joke answers aside, **ZPG Zealot** , Iā€™d really skip the sign entirely and simply tell your minion what to say to the poachers, along the lines of the suggestions from **Anaamika** and **even sven.** Make it clear that youā€™re OK with being the ā€œbad guyā€ to the people to whom minion must say ā€œNope, sorry - run it by ZPG.ā€ Consider it good training for all of you: you, your minion, and the poachers. All must learn the meaning of the word ā€œNO.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/36 "2013-03-06T18:20:05Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Of just the student worker or everyone else? Of the student worker yes, everyone else no. What it comes down to is I am pissed off that my co-workers canā€™t follow basic office protocol IMHO (donā€™t give the kid work without clearing it with his supervisor, especially if heā€™s obviously doing something for her), so now I have to go act like a territorial bitch because that seems to be only thing these morons understand. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/37 "2013-03-06T21:15:55Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > This is an excellent opportunity to show some of the mentorship that a good manager does, and teach him how to manage non-priority requests. Thatā€™s a valuable skill that will serve him well through his career. Why would you put a sign on his desk as if he doesnā€™t have a mouth to speak with? Make him responsibilities clear, and empower her to make the appropriate decisions. Be reassuring, and help him see how his work fits in to the big picture. > > Iā€™d say something like ā€œBobby, Iā€™ve noticed that youā€™ve been picking up a lot of tasks from the reserve desk. I really appreciate the enthusiasm and gumption you are showing, and itā€™s clear that you are a hard worker. Right now, I really want to concentrate on Project X, because I think your filing skills will be absolutely essential to our plan to mine Uranium from the moon. Just the other day Dr. Brain came in and commented on how helpful the files were. So for the moment, Iā€™d like to to really focus on putting your best work into Project X, and hold off on other requests. Iā€™ve talked to the reserve desk, and they know that Project X is your main task. If they do ask you take on additional tasks, I am going to ask you to have them speak with me first so that we can see where this fits in. And I know you have been really enjoying some of the work youā€™ve been doing for the reserve desk, so Iā€™ve set aside two hours on Thursday where you can get trained with them on Mad Reserve Desk Skillz. Does that sound good?ā€ Exactly. If a particular individual is overly aggressive, trying to rob some of the internā€™s time, then Iā€™d talk to that person. Otherwise, let the intern learn how deflect poachers. And be sure to be supportive of his/her efforts in doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/38 "2013-03-06T22:26:26Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > Of the student worker yes, everyone else no. What it comes down to is I am pissed off that my co-workers canā€™t follow basic office protocol IMHO (donā€™t give the kid work without clearing it with his supervisor, especially if heā€™s obviously doing something for her), so now I have to go act like a territorial bitch because that seems to be only thing these morons understand. Your frustration is understandable. But not knowing the full situation I can guess you are on the same level as them and there is a boss over you all. This sounds like a job the boss is paid the big bucks to handle. The boss should lay out what the student workerā€™s responsibilities are and tell the others to back off if thats what he/she wants. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/39 "2013-03-06T22:58:53Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > ā€¦ now I have to go act like a territorial bitch because that seems to be only thing these morons understand. As long as you phrase it in professional corporate-ese, youā€™re golden. Iā€™d give the poacher(s) one more talking-to and then take it over their heads. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952/40 "2013-03-07T00:11:35Z")
Just to ask, the OP mentioned earlier that there were people who didnā€™t want the intern hired to begin with, thus a lot of his accepting of outside assignments. Is there any actual danger of his job being harmed if he refuses, even if he blames the OP for it? I assumed not, since the OP said she is the ā€œhire and fire person,ā€ but if that were the case, why did the intern feel ā€œthreatenedā€ to begin with? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hands-off-figuratively-my-student-worker-i-pit-co-workers-that-try-to-monopolize-support-staff/651952.md?page=3)