Related Posts
Hearing there were some layoffs today…
Chief
Community Builder
HCB layoffs on the horizon
More Posts
Community Builder
Bowl Leader
Any data science openings ?? Please let me know
Additional Posts in Software Engineering
Rising Star
Rising Star
If it’s a close friend, then you should be able to have a conversation with them about how their effort (or lack there of) is affecting you. If you use a workforce management software, it should be easy to stop taking on their work. Keep their stories assigned to them, if they reach out for you to help, say you are busy working on your own stories. They will get motivated to start closing them out, because unclosed stories at the end of every sprint is going to raise flags they don’t want seen.
Oh wow, ok that is a really useful idea. I will test that out and see...I tend to be a very involved person, and this would be a bit of an adjustment in how I show up to people overall, but I can test it out.
I've found most awful engineers don't know they're awful. Have a talk.
If they are really your friend, they won't take offense, atleast long term.
Does your friend know they’re awful? Are they lazy and relying on you to clean up the mess—or are they trying to improve?
If you’re friends and you’re worried about their livelihood and your well-being, an honest conversation might do the trick. If you’re cleaning up their mess, they’re never going to do better on their own. And even if they have no idea, think about what happens if you change jobs/companies.
The true test is if you tell them/show them what they’re doing wrong and they want to be better. If they don’t, that’s an issue. But it’s not your job to do theirs and you’re hurting the both of you by doing so.
In my experience, you can’t help people who don’t want to help themselves. But if you truly are friends I’m sure there’s a way you can encourage them to be better, if it’s an understanding issue you can help by supplying documentation for them to read/courses etc. I imagine it would be difficult to know what “the right work” is if you don’t know how what you’re doing is wrong.
We all need the one on one that let's us grow. Have the talk. See if their open to learning. They could hate the job and maybe are a better fit in QA or BA over engineering
Moreover "Quality Assurance" isn't a role (at least as it pertains to technical delivery). If there is ANYONE on a team unconcerned with assuring quality, then that's the real problem. It's why the term SDET exists. Because test design and implementation IS software engineering.
I think you should tell them directly. If you don’t share feedback that might help that person grow (and stop being an impediment to your work), it’s unfair to both of you. It’ll probably be fine if you deliver it with care and an explicit intention to make things better for everyone.
They're lucky to have a friend who cares so much and wants to help without hurting them. Ultimately, they are going to be responsible for their success. You can't put all of that on your shoulders, but talk to them and give them some small measurable tips to improve their work. Let them know that you want to support them to help them succeed. There's always a chance it won't be received well, but remember that you're a good friend and doing the right thing no matter what.
Trying to echo what others have already said here. Just to add: try and be very specific at the skills this person require to be better. Don't be vague like you did in this post. There are specific programming skills this person needs to learn and someone's got to tell them and have them pick up some courses or trainings!
To tell you a story about myself. Earlier in my career I found it easier to ask someone sitting next to me how to do something instead of checking Software Engineering blogs and reading documents but one day a colleague of mine was honest with me by pointing me to stackoverflow which apparently is a great place to search and learn about different bugs and how to resolve them among many other uses. That's being the most valuable advice I ever got as a software engineer.
Thank you, this is a really helpful addition because I think I could pose it as "here's a great way to do this, here's a resource" focus rather than you're a burden and not good at your job.
Honestly, things like that cannot be resolved with finality unless you open a conversation with them. You have all the right to react in such a way because you already mentioned that it is affecting you. Get into a serious conversation with them. If you cannot come into terms with the others then let the management intervene.
I appreciate all the responses from everyone, and it definitely seems like the way to go is going to be having a challenging conversation with them. I might test out, first, being a little less available and really create some work distance wherever possible, see if they have any of their issues reveal themselves further and then almost pose a solution in the form of suggestions on things. Or, I can have an honest conversation upfront and work on that skill. It's hard for me, but I like the idea of being extremely specific and offering solutions to actually put them in a more favorable situation (and therefore myself).
You really can't do anything about these type of people. But just to handle things more professionally, you should try to talk things out. If they still do it after being called out, then that's the time to talk to your manager about it. Don't forget to document.
I bet if you are close friends with that person. They wouldn't mind asking you how to do the right kind of work. But you could also give them an idea on how to do the right job by being subtle about it. Teach them by giving them tips.
STOP IT. Unless the person is sharing their paycheck....STOP IT...IMMEDIATELY. Mentoring is different from doing someone's work. I'm a senior engineer & I had a tremendous opportunity to mentor 2 level of seniors above my levels. That gave me a marvelous experience I now put on my resume & great conversational pieces in interviews. Get it?
This is why I do my best to not get too close to people I work with. It's so hard to have, sorry, those "you suck" conversations. But like others have said, it may be time for a heart to heart.
I'd suggest talking to them. Let them know that they aren't pulling their weight and that you're concerned for them. Make sure not to come from a blaming angle. Just say you're worried for them and you've been trying to help them but they also need to help themselves. If you're covering for them, slowly stop. Don't make it immediate. Just enough that people notice their work is not up to par and start chasing them for it. It's not your job to do their work, and they should be held accountable. This way, they are, and you get to keep your friendship.
Please say something. I think most engineers' thoughts go from "I'm the worlds worst developer" to "I'm the greatest there is" and back again in a very short span. To be honest, I think most of us, especially non senior engineers, would love some honest feedback on where we stack up among our peers.
Say something to your peer first. Give it some time to see if anything changes.
But if they continue to slow you down, and you don't say anything to both your peer and your manager.. It'll be too late after your reviews. But be upfront to the other person. You don't want to feel snakish about it. Turning it into a non relationship is better than a guilty conscience relationship.
Speaking up for yourself should make you feel like a bad person.
I over help as well and my helping often covers up others laziness. Now I try to mentor a few times, I create documentation on the topic and after 2 times I just send them the confluence link and leave them to their own devices. There are people genuinely trying to learn that will come back asking new questions if they get stuck and I don't mind helping them. Then I have teammates who ask the same lazy question for 5 years and it's sink or swim buddy. My bosses have directly asked me to stop being so helpful because it takes away from my time and my own growth. They still like that I help but agree with the boundaries I've put in place so that those other people's lack of effort comes to light. It's difficult to do when that's not what you're used to but I've also helped people that they take the credit for my work so I'm hindering my own growth opportunities and that's motivation for me to stop.
.
Since you are close friends, you could offer your mentorship.