I've been asked to document a coworker's inability to complete day to day tasks and answer his phone. I'm not firing him, just gathering ammo for the HR guys. But I still feel guilty, especially when I see the pictures of his kids on his desk.
My long-term job goal(librarian) will involve making personnel decisions so I suppose I'll have to get used to things like this. Anyone in HR/management have any insight for me?
You are taking the right early steps. Document failure to perform. While you do that, take a look around and make sure you are treating him fairly. If there are others acting similarly, document them too.
When you have a solid case, take it to HR. And then be prepared to be told that it's not enough and they will have you build a new list. From that you (with HR) can march through progressive discipline.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_disciplineGet out the employee manual/supervisor policies that apply and learn them. Follow the rules.
End the end, I find that people who fail on this level either...
Are incapable of working and wander from job to job.
Are temporarily not doing well. It might get better in a week or long after they leave you.
Some have never been taught/learned how to work. You might be able to train them when they are motivated enough to learn.
People who hate their job. They will never be happy/good until they find something they like. You may not be able to provide that.
Evil bastard who will make your life hell. yea, they are out there and as one speaker said for the evil type bring money and lawyers. They are the only fix.
Ultimately don't spend a lot of time worrying about what the problem is. Just work the system and that will give him/her plenty of opportunity to fix it. Most of the time they will figure out what is happening ahead of time and leave instead of getting fired. Only the dense stay to the bitter end.
