I have been Training a new worker...

I have been training a new person at work for the last month, she complains to me about the smallest little things like Highlighters and liquid paper drying out to, why we use certain computer software.
Today she decided to blow up at me because whe I am in the room If I see a highlighter or the liquid paper with the top off I put it back on. (Rather than hearing her complain about it once again)
Today I asked her about a message she had writen down about a client that went something like this "Jane smith called at 5:05 can't think now Brain Dead" What would you assume by this message. I assumed that my co-worker had taked to the person and would tell me about it when she got in. I asked her when she got in and my co-worker basically tore me a new one saying that I was suposed to call her and that it was compleetly obvious from what she had taken down in the message She says I'm nitpicking. I told her I was asking so that we avoid having a miscomunication the first place. Then she goes off on me for putting the tops on the highlighters and liquid paper when I come to talk to her about work stuff. I said I do this to avoid her complaining about it in the first place. She keeps going off on me, She's 41 and I'm 28. I walked out of the room and she persists. I go into my office and try to calm down (at this point I'm pissed) She comes in and tries to continue the arguement. I ask her to leave 3 times and end up closing the door on her. I thought I was doing the adult thing to leave the situation and gather my thoughts before speaking to her again. Was I right to shut myself off from the arguement? I am so confused right now. We share the job and I don't even what to have to see her at this point.

PLEASE HELP GIVE ME AN OPINION

Time to go have a sit down with your supervisor - try not to make it a complaint, instead, state that you have some concerns that you want to communicate and ask your supervisor how you should proceed after giving details on some of the issues you are concerned about.

Say that you really want to be able to work as a team, but that you are having communication difficulties because of your trainee's continual negativity and short temper - taking constructive criticism personally which is getting in the way of your being able to work together. Give examples of petty argumentative behavior such as the highlighter issue.

State that you love your job and want to do it well, but that you are not sure how to proceed at this point, because you seem to have gotten into a negative spiral, and you'd like to reverse that. Ask how they would handle it if they were you.

This has to be taken to a higher up and put in their lap - they are responsible for managing all employees under them to ensure that teamwork is effective and efficient.

I think GingersMom has given you some really good advice. You need someone who is a good team member and it doesn't sound like you have that type of person working with you at all.

Originally Posted by GingersMom

Time to go have a sit down with your supervisor - try not to make it a complaint, instead, state that you have some concerns that you want to communicate and ask your supervisor how you should proceed after giving details on some of the issues you are concerned about.

Say that you really want to be able to work as a team, but that you are having communication difficulties because of your trainee's continual negativity and short temper - taking constructive criticism personally which is getting in the way of your being able to work together. Give examples of petty argumentative behavior such as the highlighter issue.

State that you love your job and want to do it well, but that you are not sure how to proceed at this point, because you seem to have gotten into a negative spiral, and you'd like to reverse that. Ask how they would handle it if they were you.

This has to be taken to a higher up and put in their lap - they are responsible for managing all employees under them to ensure that teamwork is effective and efficient.

Click to expand...

I can add no more.

GingersMom said it the best IMO.

I completely agree with what GingersMom said too.

Also, since most offices have new employees on a probationary period for the first so many days, if she's only been there a month, now is the time to speak up. Especially if you're the one that has most contact with this person. If you don't voice the issues, they may think she's working out fine and then you'll be stuck with her...

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am only 28 and have never ran into such a petty situation being made into a full out battle. I am certain that I have done things that anoy her and vice versa, but making it a whole yell and scream battle just freeked me out. I am actually scared of her. I calm back into the office trembleing after the office supervisor told us both to take a walk and calm down. Point of interest all of this happens when our supervisor's are both out of the building. We are all going to sit down and talk about it on monday hopfully with more rational heads.