I made someone cry...sort of

Remember that post about how I wasn't gonna make anyone cry over dishwater or anything else to do with work? I guess I am gonna have to recant that.

I made a 20 year old guy tear up today. Not cry but he did tear up. This guy has worked there for a year this August (he has worked there longer than anyone else). The midget used to really ride his ass, she couldn't stand him. I never could understand why. He is a hardworking son of a gun. But, he would screw up a lot when the midget would watch him work which would give her ammo to yell at and berate him. She never gave him credit for going above and beyond the call of duty regarding every single aspect of his job. She seemed to enjoy cutting him down.

I have a different approach. I do point out mistakes and criticise any sign of laziness. I critique every single meal that leaves that kitchen and I am serious about cleanliness. On the other hand I praise good work, and I praise it loudly and boldly. With this particular individual (20 year old guy, who by the way lives on his own, no help from mommy and daddy. Mommy works there too). I moved him from nights to days so that I could keep an eye on him and offer some positive reinforcement. As he performed better I began to teach him some things about the management side. He flourished. Not only is he his constant hard working self, but now he has a vigor about learning the business.

It has been a little over 30 days since I moved him to days. Today I gave him his annual review and I gave him a $1.00 an hour raise. He now works his ass off for $9.00 an hour. It made him tear up. He shook my hand , teared up and just kept saying thank you and telling me that I can continue to count on him.

That was a good reason to make someone cry. Next week will be a whole other story. I am gonna have to fire an incompetent cook who is also a single mother. I better enjoy today, next week I won't have such a warm fuzzy feeling.