Opinion needed on how to handle work situation

fumafoo101
Wed, 22 Aug 2012 22:49:15 +0000

I’ve already gotten some great advice indirectly from another thread so I thought I would ask for some more opinions on the matter. Sorry for the length in advanced.

I work at a senior center, specifically, in the fitness room. I took this job to help me become more out going. You work by yourself with the exception the other people employed through the center. It pretty much forces you to be outing, and it is a great way for me to get some experience in the fitness setting.

There is an older gentlemen in (around) his 80’s who has been at the center for a long time. He is a really nice man, but he becomes very attached. I understand that he is lonely at his house, but he seems to know a lot of people at the center. He has no family of his own, only his brother’s. I can relate since my great grandmother pretty much is stuck in her apartment 24/7 but she is 98! My issue is that he keeps asking if we would ever be able to meet up outside of work. I constantly say no I don’t go out much due to school, and I’ve hinted that it is against work policy. My boss said to everyone not to get close, which I am not, but I think it is hard for him (participant) to grasp that concept. I should also mention my boss is not on site. He (participant) constantly tells me about when he was a teacher and he would take students out on trips outside of school sometimes with the parents.

I know, and I will be very up front with him next time that it is strictly against work policy. He really only comes when I work because he knows I will listen. Once and awhile it is nice to hear, but he has no updates and I hear the same stories. He has delayed me in getting work done which I have been up front about. Past workers, according to him, have always had their backs turned, or were working on homework, which isn’t against policy if all your other work is done. If I need to work on something, or a read a book, because it is slow I still try keep my chair turned so I am facing them, and I always greet participants who come, or as they leave I will say something.

Is there any gentler way of telling him no? I cannot switch centers for the fall because I am sharing a car with 3 people until my car is back from the body shop. (accident over a month ago, no rental from insurance) Plus he is a member with at least 2 centers. There would be nothing to prevent him from following. I am thinking of a new job, but I won’t quit until Spring because I do not wish to leave on bad terms. They are understaffed again so until he can recruit workers again I don’t really want to leave.