Gamble of someone who walked-off??

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WV24fpspro

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Here I have a chance to possibly work with or hire the second best photographer I've ever had the chance of previously working with. There's just one major possible issue which stands out...

This person literally walked off of their previous job in mid shift after accounting for and then turning in all of their gear. The good point is that they appeared to have done so tactfully, and didn't get hotheaded at all.

As a matter of fact the person is very saddened and depressed about the entire event. Besides this one instance- they have a very impressive employment resume, backed up by a strong educational background, and even rock solid references; all of which have been verified- most of them in writting or email. Even most of this persons former coworkers back up the person who walked version of the entire events.

From what I understand so far- it appears as though theres a very well defined case of an inproperly managed "facility" with the previous employer, and also some other major issues such as improper training. It almost appears as though this employee was set up to fail.

This person has been completely honest with myself, and from every indication (minus the walk out) also appears to be of above average character.

Based upon the above mentioned issues; does one take a gamble and hire this person? Could a chief manage to float this issue by their boss or another senior member, or even HR?
 
Every hire is a gamble. Some people with the best background and recommendations turn out to be flops, others with no bacground turn in to great employees. I'd say most of us have made a few mistakes that can come back to haunt us. In this case, if this person is truly qualified, I'd say go for it... or pass their resume on to me becuse I'm always looking for a good photographer!

Rad
 
I can't speak for anyone else out there, but I walked off a job once. Not quite mid shift, but close. Someone gave me another chance and I've been working at my current shop for 6 years now.

If he/she has been honest with you, meets your standards and is going to be an otherwise good hire I say go for it.
 
Hire this person immediately.

We're usually the low men on the totem pole, and when we're forced to eat a sh&t sandwich, the only viable response we have is to vote with our feet (isn't that what our customers--viewers-- do with their remotes?). This is one of the few upsides to mgmt not thinking we're worth putting under contract. How many times have all of us been told by mgmt ".....if you don't like the new policy, you can always quit."

Sounds like this person did just that, in a professional and responsible way.

You say the person's references check out, and they have been totally honest with you. You're familiar with the quality of their work, and it's up to snuff.

What are you waiting for?
 
Let me thank everyone for their honestly and advice, it was very usefull.

As for Rad's posting, I'm actually quite suprised. I'd even consider taking an entry level job in the Raleigh market, as I was most impressed by their efforts. As an example lets state (just to use nice rounded numbers) that Raleigh is market fifty. From what I've observed I've seen stations do better in that market than some of the market 25 stations- no joke.

In conclusion, I think I'm going to get this person started on the pipeline of the hiring process. The above mentioned posting was most accurate in stating that every hire is a gamble. I would personally place the chips on this person being much more of an asset than the average Joe.
 
Originally posted by WV24fpspro:
As an example lets state (just to use nice rounded numbers) that Raleigh is market fifty. From what I've observed I've seen stations do better in that market than some of the market 25 stations- no joke.
Click to expand...
Raleigh is market 29. The work there should be as good as market 25.
 
Rad's right on...every hire is a gamble. That said, if everything you say about your applicant is true...hire them immediately!

The days of finding truely{sp?) honest, dedicated, talented applicants are getting increasingly rare. Everyone's got an agenda, or an ulterior motive. So for you to be able to reach out to someone you think is a "gem" is a stroke of luck;

GO GET 'EM! Sounds like he/she will be able to hit the ground running; a big plus for you...keeping training to a minimum, and getting as you say, quality product in return.

Good luck to you both! But, if you don't hire them...send them my way! Sorry "Rad", maybe we could flip a coin?
 
I basically walked off, as in no notice to quit. I think that after it happens once, people are less likely to do it again. It's a ballsy move, and something one is not likely to do again in my opinion.
 
I walked off a job as well once. I did it in a professional manner. My CP had been harrasing me. He even threatened to call a perspective station that I had applied to and tell them not to hire me. They had already offered me a job. He did this in an e-mail to me. After showing this e-mail to my union they offered to hire a lawyer for me. I turned the offer for legal help down and quit with 2 hours notice. My ND was floored when I told him. He claimed he knew nothing about what was going on which was a complete lie. It turns out later that my CP was forced into another position at the station.

I would never do it again. But I think certain situations allow it. I had to think about it a lot before I did it. My union told me that there was no law preventing me from giving no notice. Although my ND tried to tell me I was required to.

[ February 28, 2005, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: Photographer ]
 
One has to admire the employers who WRONGFULLY claim that one is required to gove any type of notice. Last time I glanced out the window the American flag was still flying high, allowing one to apply their stills to basically whatever job they desire.

Its generally nothing more than an extended professional courtesy to give an employer about two weeks notice in writting that one intends to leave their job. Ironically- also try to remember that if the company ever decides to change ownership, or ever elects to fold up shop. Do you think that you'll be extended the same professional courtesy?

Sorry for the rant, but. Considering most of the people on the board happen to either live and/or work in America- the working conditions here could stand a drastic improvement to say the least.
 
Come to think of it, I walked off a job once at lunchtime on the first day.

I was hired as an electrician for a film in Florida, along with a bunch of people I knew. We were all hired by the production manager, and the DP hadn't seen the gear or had any part in hiring any of us and hadn't seen any of our resumes. He was hired from out of town and showed up with the idea in his head that none of us knew what we were doing.

On the eve of our first shooting day, he gathered us together and gave us "tests." He made us unload all the gear out of the truck and prove to him that we knew the names of the equipment and how it went together. Strangely, it seemed to piss him off that we all were quite knowledgeable, so he went into a tirade about how the equipment itself was unacceptable (we actually had a pretty decent lighting and grip package) and that nobody should have to work under such conditions. He strutted back and forth barking at us about the substandard equipment.

We thought he might mellow out when we actually started shooting, but we were wrong. He was a screamer. He yelled at everyone. He had one of the PAs in tears within a couple of hours. The director was visibly annoyed, because his rants were distracting the actors. I bit my tongue the first three or four times he called me an asshole, jackass or moron. But it wasn't just me. He was treating everyone that way.

At the lunch break I simply walked up to the production manager and said, "I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to quit."

"What?" he said, eyes wide. "Why?"

"I'm sure you've noticed how Nik is treating the crew."

"Well, yeah."

"Nobody treats me that way. I'm leaving."

"I'm sure he'll lighten up," he said. "Can't you stay at least until the end of the day and give him another chance?"

"I'm sorry, the damage is done. I've tried to behave as professionally as possible this morning and put up with his screaming, but judging from yesterday and this morning I think it's pretty clear I can't work with him. And it wouldn't surprise me if some of the other guys quit before the day is out also." In fact, a couple did.

"Well, I have to tell you that walking off a job in the middle of the day is really unprofessional," he said. "I mean, I'm just telling you for your own good. Word will get around about this kind of thing, and your reputation will suffer."

"Listen," I said, "You're gonna have a hard time standing there talking about professionalism with someone like Nik screaming at people on the crew."

And I left.

I saw the movie later on. It sucked, and it looked like hell to boot. Then it got shelved because it turned out the producer didn't have the rights to the play upon which it was based. The producer ended up going back to directing community theater.

One of the guys who stuck it out to the end actually ended up being friends with the DP. He said the guy invited him out for a drink one night right after the shoot was over, and they talked about the people quitting the crew. He said he was actually surprised by the reaction he got, that he didn't think he was that harsh and was only trying to get the crew "properly motivated" for what was to be a pretty intense shooting schedule.

He properly motivated me right off the set.
 
I walked off my last job- pretty much-- I handed them a resignation with a 3 day notice and my chief just told me to "leave now." I have since been at my current employer for 5 years and best I can gather they are happy as a lark with me. Just won a murrow and waiting to hear back about an emmy. The state of discontent and rage that drives a person to that point is not something found in most work environments. I'd say give a lil' credit for the situation and give him a shot. 90 day trial period etc. I bet he pays off.

Just my 2 cents
 
I'd give the guy a shot. First off, in most cases, when you apply for a job, it falls under an "at-wiil" contract. Meaning, the company can fire you whenever they so choose. Giving your employer a notice is considered "professional courtesy", and last time I checked, most places dont give you a notice when they "let you go". I'm not saying walking off a job is the best idea. All I'm saying is, if a person finds themselfs in a situation that they feel is unprofessional or unconfortable, and they feel the only way out of it is to leave, then that person has that right to do so. Sometimes, in certain situations, the person who leaft may have been the better person.
 
Walking off the job is no biggie - my employment contract states either I or my employer can end the contract at any time with no notice and no reason. In other words, if I wanted to walk out right now, for no reason other than "I'm sick of this place", I could.

Of course, it would be a bit harder to pay the bills if I did that... :P
 
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