Workplace Worries – Counseling Corner

Dear Brain and Steele,

I work for a small to medium company in eastern Iowa and we have recently had to hire a new person for a team leader/management type position and after a long search the guy we hired is actually moving here from a few states away. We received an email telling everyone about the hire and when he would start. We were also told that he doesn't know the Iowa City area very well and if anyone could give him tips on some good places to look into moving into and other “getting started in a new town” info, that would be appreciated.

I reached out to this individual on email (he starts in three weeks) and introduced myself. I also asked him when he would be moving to town, and I offered up some info about places to live, things to do in the area, etc... His response was “thanks for the tips and info but “Marge” the HR person and “Stu” one of the sales guys had already gotten him info on apartments and what to expect when he moved to town. He said they had “taken him under their wings” and were really helping him. Here is my problem. “Marge” and “Stu” are not very well liked at our company. In fact, many of the employees are always talking about one or the other in a negative light both for their work styles and their lack of social skills. When we go out after work for drinks, they never come along – citing things like “getting home to feed the cats” or “Pictionary night” with their cousins as reasons.

So...my problem is....do I get in touch with this new co-worker and fill him in? Do I let him get to town and figure it out? My concerns are that if he follows the directions of “Marge” and “Stu”, they could be steering him in a totally different direction than he would want. I'd hate for him to get here and regret the move to the new job and city because of these two and their “recommendations and suggestions.”

What do you guys think??

“Nathan”