How do you deal with a rude intern?

I’ve been in my job for 3-4 months and it’s not for me. I’m looking for another job. My plan was to keep a low profile as I really don’t care about anything or anyone now, but we have one intern. He is on a placement year and is extremely rude. This was predominately influenced by his manager, my colleague, as we don’t get along. I think he has used it as an opportunity to be very rude because he feel protected by his managers dislike for me.

Yesterday I asked him a few questions and he ignored me openly in the office while he looked at his phone. When I called his name again he said “what? some of us have work to do” I told him off and said he was being rude. Fast forward, we have to do some work on a ppt. he owns the calculation and I asked him to populate the table. He barks at me and says “I am not going to go back and trend.....” I get up and say “I never said you had to, you should let me finish and that’s the last time you’re rude to me... next time this happens you me and big boss will have a chat”.

I send a chat to my big boss expressing my discomfort in the interns rudeness and he pulls him aside once he comes back from a meeting.

I was tempted to resign yesterday on the spot. I mean what on Earth! The culture in my work place is all about the loudest egos. I think it’s unfortunate that an intern who hasn’t even graduate is so arrogant at this stage in their career without having any experience. It’s pathetic. How do I move forward? Continue to put my head down? Quit and live on savings?

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outsidethebox18 · 31-35, F

@SW-User you’re so right! I just cannot believe I have to deal with such a person like this. Unbelievable !

toddr13 · 46-50, M

I would document everything and channel the most icy persona you can when he starts with his antics. Calm, professional, and exceedingly cold. If he's late on a deliverable, document it electronically in a professional manner, such as "The data was requested no later than 3:00, and that has been missed." CC his manager and your team lead so that your issues are well documented.

Push yourself to stand up for appropriate conduct, since that will help you wherever you land, to have assertiveness when needed. Interns have to tread lightly, and when they don't realize that they are not infallible and are not employees, they and their direct line manager can suffer the consequences.

I had to deal with one who was completely out of line, not having met me before a 6:30 am encounter where he objected to my pulling files from the hard copy drawers that were not put away correctly. He stormed off and said "Who do you think you are? You can't do this, and I'm getting <his manager>" I heard them coming down the hall a few minutes later, having secured the files I needed, and turned to the door when they walked in and said "Good morning, <his manager>," who proceeded to have the color drain from his face.

The intern was lecturing me and telling me that I had to put everything back as HE had it. I just nodded and gave a one eyebrow raised to his manager who whispered to him "Shut up!" I dislike confrontation, so I merely said "Clean this up and then come to my office so we can have a chat about insubordinate attitudes. I'll ask <VP of HR> to sit in if she has a minute." Had we not paid for housing for three months for that summer intern, I would have fired him on the spot, but he was blocked from hire, though he applied and appealed to his manager several times. The manager was also on thin ice because I wasn't the only partner who had an issue with one of his interns or hires.

Sometimes, you can get more done by saying less, and in your situation, document, document, document, and let nothing slide. Be icy calm, and professional.

outsidethebox18 · 31-35, F

@toddr13 I will. I don’t know if I did the right thing by telling him off publicly. I did send a mail to our boss about his poor behaviour. I don’t know what will happen. I saw our big boss have a chat with him but I just freaking hate this job. I already don’t like the team and keep to myself. My big boss asked me how I’m finding it. I said I was good because I didn’t want to have a spotlight on my plans to leave just yet. So I lied. Then the blow up with the intern happened. Stupid kid.

toddr13 · 46-50, M

@outsidethebox18 That’s understandable. So I would still pursue the exit strategy and assert yourself with this intern because he will try to walk all over you.

in10RjFox · M

The problem is you are dealing with Oral Instructions which leaves no proof .. switch to messaging or emails and instruct him via text and make him reply by text and not call you or reply you orally ... You can then take this up to senior management and put the manager also in a fix .. And be polite and formal while messaging ...

Dear Intern, I would like you to compile the business cards and enter info in a spreadsheet and kindly estimate the time required by you to accomplish this and message me the same, before you commence work... Kindly acknowledge upon sighting this message and I require the estimate within 30 minutes... Thank you ..

outsidethebox18 · 31-35, F

@in10RjFox I completely agree! I normally avoid the intern but in this instance I just couldn’t let him speak to me like a child.

in10RjFox · M

@outsidethebox18 Do not avoid for it would only portray you as escapist and those who operate in stealth mode. Since you have decided to quit anyway, just confront and put things in order as much.. make everything official ..

tallpowerhouseblonde · 36-40, F

Always have evidence of his behaviour either by email or witness.Get HR involved.You may be able to take legal action if HR do not take him to task.
Or just wait until there are no witnesses and push him down some stairs.Very effective.

outsidethebox18 · 31-35, F

@tallpowerhouseblonde Absolutely! I will moving forward. He’s such a stupid kid.

Steve42 · 56-60, M

Find another job first. Unless they do something illegal, then quit and get a lawyer.

outsidethebox18 · 31-35, F

@Steve42 I definitely will. I’m so over this.

quitwhendone · M

Don't leave. Put those people in their places and take charge. Its ridiculous for an intern to act that way.

outsidethebox18 · 31-35, F

@quitwhendone exactly! He is so arrogant and needs to be put in his place. I don’t want to be the one to do it but if he is rude to me consistently then I will not have it.

quitwhendone · M

@outsidethebox18 👍🏼 I'm with you.

WolfGirlwh0r3 · 36-40, T

shoot them

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