Training.

teednab-el

I did training with an outside contractor working on behalf of the company i work today. He was instructing us how to use equipment in which I had some experience of using similar equipment in the past. However during the training he ridiculed me after I wasn't able to use the equipment correctly. He laughed then saying I couldn't have used similar equipment in the past as I was terrible at the practical he doesn't say that but that was he was insinuating. He ridiculed me in front of the class and I was quiet upset after it.

I don't know what to do but a professional on site should not mock or ridicule an employee. There jib2 is to imstruct and provide training not laugh mock or intimidate someone. I told the trainer on the spot that I wish not to continue as I'm obviously not doing it correctly and I'm only getting ridulcled here in front of the class and I'm not herr to be laughed at. He said he wasn't trying to single me out.

What should I do to address this?
Should I report to my manager?

cml387

Who trained you in the use of the equipment originally?
It doesn't sound like he was unprofessional, to be honest, he was just pointing out that you were doing it wrong and since he has been employed by your company to train people, I'd be inclined to believe him.

JigglyMcJabs

teednab-el wrote: »

I did training with an outside contractor working on behalf of the company i work today. He was instructing us how to use equipment in which I had some experience of using similar equipment in the past. However during the training he ridiculed me after I wasn't able to use the equipment correctly. He laughed then saying I couldn't have used similar equipment in the past as I was terrible at the practical he doesn't say that but that was he was insinuating. He ridiculed me in front of the class and I was quiet upset after it.

I don't know what to do but a professional on site should not mock or ridicule an employee. There jib2 is to imstruct and provide training not laugh mock or intimidate someone. I told the trainer on the spot that I wish not to continue as I'm obviously not doing it correctly and I'm only getting ridulcled here in front of the class and I'm not herr to be laughed at. He said he wasn't trying to single me out.

What should I do to address this?
Should I report to my manager?

Your choices are:

Go through the rest of your life being upset and offended by the little things that really don't matter.

Or, realise that the world is unfair and that although you can't change a lot of things, you can change how you frame them and how you react to them.

In this situation, you can complain, cause trouble and become a problem employee. Or you can realise that at the time, you could have had a laugh about it and taken the opportunity to continue in the course and further your career.

davo10

teednab-el wrote: »

What should I do to address this?
Should I report to my manager?

While it reads like the instructor acted unprofessionally (we only have your word for that), I'm not sure what you gain from informing your manager that you were unable to correctly operate equipment you had previous experience with, that you didn't complete the course and that you may be a bit thin skinned. What is the up side here?

_Brian

You called him out over it at the time and he said he wasn’t intentionally singling you out.
I don’t think there’s anything to be gained in pushing this further.

Put it behind you and move on with your job.

southernsmile

He laughed then saying I couldn't have used similar equipment in the past as I was terrible at the practical he doesn't say that but that was he was insinuating.
I would be frustrated if someone called me out in front of a class too, so I can relate there but it sounds like there is a possibility that he might not have meant that you were terrible.  He may have a personality that is straightforward or a communication style that is blunt and it may seem like he was insinuating something negative when he actually was not.  If this was a one time thing then I would not talk to your supervisor about it but if this guy starts singling you out repeatedly and tries to make you look bad in front of other classes, then it might be something to discuss with your boss.

splinter65

There will usually be an opportunity when the training is over to give feedback on the trainer and the training in the form of a short form to be completed by you.
You can say then that you found him insensitive but it’s possible that your feedback will get lost and be shredded.
As others have said already here I’m afraid this is the reality of being out in the working world and you probably need to work on not taking things personally and expecting to have your feelings taken into account outside of your personal relationships.
If you announced to the group before the training that you already knew how to operate this machinery then I hope you know now to just keep Schtum the next time.

teednab-el

JigglyMcJabs wrote: »

Your choices are:

Go through the rest of your life being upset and offended by the little things that really don't matter.

Or, realise that the world is unfair and that although you can't change a lot of things, you can change how you frame them and how you react to them.

In this situation, you can complain, cause trouble and become a problem employee. Or you can realise that at the time, you could have had a laugh about it and taken the opportunity to continue in the course and further your career.

I think if you were in the same position you would be complaining. It's easy to say I'm at fault here because it's not your problem but I'm not so sure if you would react the same as you described above if it were to happen to you. People can be all wisdom until it's their own problem and then they wouldn't be able to take the intimidation in a group themselves. IMO.

teednab-el

davo10 wrote: »

While it reads like the instructor acted unprofessionally (we only have your word for that), I'm not sure what you gain from informing your manager that you were unable to correctly operate equipment you had previous experience with, that you didn't complete the course and that you may be a bit thin skinned. What is the up side here?

Thin skinned or not everyone knows when they are insulted.

wexie

teednab-el wrote: »

I think if you were in the same position you would be complaining. It's easy to say I'm at fault here because it's not your problem but I'm not so sure if you would react the same as you described above if it were to happen to you. People can be all wisdom until it's their own problem and then they wouldn't be able to take the intimidation in a group themselves. IMO.

Okay so, let's say you report this to your manager...what would you say and what would you expect your manager to do in order to rectify the situation?

Ring the trainer? Threaten to never use that training provider again?

What would you ask your manager to do in order to make you feel better about the whole incident?

And how do you think that conversation would go and what do you think your manager would feel about it?

Personally what I think you should do is finish the training. Then when you're back at work tell your manager : here, look what I found out on this course, we've been doing it wrong all along...

teednab-el

southernsmile wrote: »

He laughed then saying I couldn't have used similar equipment in the past as I was terrible at the practical he doesn't say that but that was he was insinuating.
I would be frustrated if someone called me out in front of a class too, so I can relate there but it sounds like there is a possibility that he might not have meant that you were terrible.  He may have a personality that is straightforward or a communication style that is blunt and it may seem like he was insinuating something negative when he actually was not.  If this was a one time thing then I would not talk to your supervisor about it but if this guy starts singling you out repeatedly and tries to make you look bad in front of other classes, then it might be something to discuss with your boss.

I agree with what you are saying. My main point here is that he is providing training as a professional and therefore being a smart a$$ in front of a group isn't being professional.

teednab-el

splinter65 wrote: »

There will usually be an opportunity when the training is over to give feedback on the trainer and the training in the form of a short form to be completed by you.
You can say then that you found him insensitive but it’s possible that your feedback will get lost and be shredded.
As others have said already here I’m afraid this is the reality of being out in the working world and you probably need to work on not taking things personally and expecting to have your feelings taken into account outside of your personal relationships.
If you announced to the group before the training that you already knew how to operate this machinery then I hope you know now to just keep Schtum the next time.

So if the trainer insults you, you think it's ok to laugh it off and not be offended. Il try that with my boss next time and see where it gets me. I can say to him don't be sensitive and don't take it personally but you are a di#k. Surely his feelings won't be taken into account on what I said to him and tell him to move on and be happy. He asked had people experience on similiar equipment not equipment we were training on so that was irrelevant to keeping my mouth closed. If i was trained on this equipment beforehand I wouldn't have needed training in the first instance.

teednab-el

wexie wrote: »

Okay so, let's say you report this to your manager...what would you say and what would you expect your manager to do in order to rectify the situation?

Ring the trainer? Threaten to never use that training provider again?

What would you ask your manager to do in order to make you feel better about the whole incident?

And how do you think that conversation would go and what do you think your manager would feel about it?

Personally what I think you should do is finish the training. Then when you're back at work tell your manager : here, look what I found out on this course, we've been doing it wrong all along...

I completed the training.

wexie

teednab-el wrote: »

I completed the training.

So then what would you look to achieve by complaining to your manager?

What good do you think might come from it? For you personally like.

JigglyMcJabs

teednab-el wrote: »

I think if you were in the same position you would be complaining. It's easy to say I'm at fault here because it's not your problem but I'm not so sure if you would react the same as you described above if it were to happen to you. People can be all wisdom until it's their own problem and then they wouldn't be able to take the intimidation in a group themselves. IMO.

Who said you were at fault? Please reread my comment, I think you've strengthened my argument, you've framed my advice as blame.

My advice comes from personal experience, I have reacted in both ways in the past, I know which one is better for me anyway, I don't spend my time angry about little injustices anymore.

teednab-el

wexie wrote: »

So then what would you look to achieve by complaining to your manager?

What good do you think might come from it? For you personally like.

Basically the manner in which he conducted the training was unacceptable. I have no problem with him teaching me the correct method and I'm totally cool with that and learning correct method etc. I'm all for that. What I don't accept is when my ability to do the task is questioned and how I should be better etc and judging me etc. If I knew it all I wouldn't have to go to training and I'm not a know it all I can safely say here.

wexie

teednab-el wrote: »

Basically the manner in which he conducted the training was unacceptable. I have no problem with him teaching me the correct method and I'm totally cool with that and learning correct method etc. I'm all for that. What I don't accept is when my ability to do the task is questioned and how I should be better etc and judging me etc. If I knew it all I wouldn't have to go to training and I'm not a know it all I can safely say here.

But none of that is a concern of your manager though is it?
If anything it's a concern of the trainer's manager.

Is the trainer employed by your company?

teednab-el

JigglyMcJabs wrote: »

Who said you were at fault? Please reread my comment, I think you've strengthened my argument, you've framed my advice as blame.

My advice comes from personal experience, I have reacted in both ways in the past, I know which one is better for me anyway, I don't spend my time angry about little injustices anymore.

Interesting way of looking at it. I agree with you and what you are saying. I'm just saying that he could have conducted the training in a more professional manner and what I mean here is that he is doing his job without the element undermining a person which was me in this case. I can chose to laugh if off too but unfortunately not all of us are like this and that's me included.

teednab-el

wexie wrote: »

But none of that is a concern of your manager though is it?
If anything it's a concern of the trainer's manager.

Is the trainer employed by your company?

Well it would be as the company pay the trainer to do the job.

davo10

teednab-el wrote: »

Well it would be as the company pay the trainer to do the job.

What do you gain from this? All you do is confirm to your own boss that you didn't know how to operate the equipment they presumed you did, and that you can't take a bit of ribbing. Shake it off, you will face worse things in life.

JigglyMcJabs

teednab-el wrote: »

Interesting way of looking at it. I agree with you and what you are saying. I'm just saying that he could have conducted the training in a more professional manner and what I mean here is that he is doing his job without the element undermining a person which was me in this case. I can chose to laugh if off too but unfortunately not all of us are like this and that's me included.

And none of us are disagreeing with you about the conduct, just advising you to let it go and maybe don't take these little things so personally.

wexie

teednab-el wrote: »

Well it would be as the company pay the trainer to do the job.

So the trainer is either self employed or from an outside training provider?

Either way I don't think complaining to your manager is going to do you any good. If anything you might mention that you didn't think the trainer was very professional but I certainly wouldn't frame it as a complaint.

bertsmom

OP would you consider trying to lighten up a little? Training events are a pain in the ass at the best of times. I did my manual handling refresher course a few weeks back and to be honest I looked as though I'd never successfully lifted an egg before. I have no co ordination and I completely over thought every instruction. If it wasn't for the banter and bit of a laugh it would just have been embarrassing.
It's only a small thing but to be honest if I was on a course with a co worker who was just waiting to be offended it would be annoying and I would be very reluctant to be bothered with them in future for fear of upsetting them over something trivial.
Pick your battles. Is this tiny incident something that needs to be blown up into a drama?

splinter65

teednab-el wrote: »

So if the trainer insults you, you think it's ok to laugh it off and not be offended. Il try that with my boss next time and see where it gets me. I can say to him don't be sensitive and don't take it personally but you are a di#k. Surely his feelings won't be taken into account on what I said to him and tell him to move on and be happy. He asked had people experience on similiar equipment not equipment we were training on so that was irrelevant to keeping my mouth closed. If i was trained on this equipment beforehand I wouldn't have needed training in the first instance.

Ok OP. Ideally, what would you like to happen now to make this right in your eyes?

teednab-el

davo10 wrote: »

What do you gain from this? All you do is confirm to your own boss that you didn't know how to operate the equipment they presumed you did, and that you can't take a bit of ribbing. Shake it off, you will face worse things in life.

You are missing my point, like I said earlier the equipment I was getting trained on wasn't the same as what i had experience on, they were alike but not the same. I was getting training because i didn't have any knowledge on this new equipment.

I honestly think nobody here can take been intimidated in front of a group. You may think you can but when it happens you in front of a group I don't think you would react the same as what you described here, just my opinion. Intimidate bullying or ridiculing are serious matters in the workplace not just laugh it off theories.

teednab-el

splinter65 wrote: »

Ok OP. Ideally, what would you like to happen now to make this right in your eyes?

For me training should show me how to use the equipment and in doing so increase my knowledge in the matter and without singling out someone and questioning their abilities.

I think personally he should be spoken to and that his job is to train and not insult the employees.

davo10

teednab-el wrote: »

You are missing my point, like I said earlier the equipment I was getting trained on wasn't the same as what i had experience on, they were alike but not the same. I was getting training because i didn't have any knowledge on this new equipment.

I honestly think nobody here can take been intimidated in front of a group. You may think you can but when it happens you in front of a group I don't think you would react the same as what you described here, just my opinion. Intimidate bullying or ridiculing are serious matters in the workplace not just laugh it off theories.

Intimidated? Reads more like you got a bit of a ribbing, lighten up.

Everyone here can understand that you were mocked a bit, but no one so far can see what you personally gain from complaining to your boss.

wexie

FWIW in my experience companies (and /or managers) paying for training are generally less concerned with whether or not anybody got upset during the training and more with whether or not the people they paid for to get trained got trained in the end....

teednab-el

bertsmom wrote: »

OP would you consider trying to lighten up a little? Training events are a pain in the ass at the best of times. I did my manual handling refresher course a few weeks back and to be honest I looked as though I'd never successfully lifted an egg before. I have no co ordination and I completely over thought every instruction. If it wasn't for the banter and bit of a laugh it would just have been embarrassing.
It's only a small thing but to be honest if I was on a course with a co worker who was just waiting to be offended it would be annoying and I would be very reluctant to be bothered with them in future for fear of upsetting them over something trivial.
Pick your battles. Is this tiny incident something that needs to be blown up into a drama?

My idea of thinking is alot different to yours it seems and i don't mean that in a bad way. Have you ever experienced someone talking down to you? If so could you say you laughed it off and was all jolly about it or else did you tell them where to go? In this case I didn't do either but I did address it in a professional manner at the time. I do feel that if a trainer is intimidating an employee the employee does have a right to voice his or her concerns. Intimidating and having good banter are two different meanings.

teednab-el

davo10 wrote: »

Intimidated? Reads more like you got a bit of a ribbing, lighten up.

Everyone here can understand that you were mocked a bit, but no one so far can see what you personally gain from complaining to your boss.

You have a point there. Complaining to my boss may do nothing but I don't think I have anything to lose in reporting him especially when i didnt like the manner in which he conducted the training towards me. Yes there was a bit of mocking but all at my expense and a bit harsh I felt.

Dial Hard

teednab-el wrote:

So if the trainer insults you, you think it's ok to laugh it off and not be offended. Il try that with my boss next time and see where it gets me. I can say to him don't be sensitive and don't take it personally but you are a di#k.

But the trainer didn't call you a dick so this is a completely false and pointless analogy.

teednab-el

Dial Hard wrote: »

But the trainer didn't call you a dick so this is a completely false and pointless analogy.

You know what I mean.

davo10

teednab-el wrote: »

You have a point there. Complaining to my boss may do nothing but I don't think I have anything to lose in reporting him especially when i didnt like the manner in which he conducted the training towards me. Yes there was a bit of mocking but all at my expense and a bit harsh I felt.

That's the thing, you have nothing to gain, that I can see, but you do have something to lose. You could be seen as thin skinned/easily offended. You gave the trainer a piece of your mind, would you be at all concerned that your manager may be wary of sending you on future training courses or if you being offended by the usual banter/ribbing that occurs in all workplaces?

I think we all understand what you went through, and most of us have experienced it at one time or another, but you can't go around complaining every time someone has a giggle at you.

teednab-el

davo10 wrote: »

That's the thing, you have nothing to gain, that I can see, but you do have something to lose. You could be seen as thin skinned/easily offended. You gave the trainer a piece of your mind, would you be at all concerned that your manager may be wary of sending you on future training courses or if you being offended by the usual banter/ribbing that occurs in all workplaces?

Banter and intimidating are not the same meaning.

davo10

teednab-el wrote: »

Banter and intimidating are not the same meaning.

How were you intimidated? Were you threatened?

judeboy101

davo10 wrote: »

teednab-el wrote: »

You have a point there. Complaining to my boss may do nothing but I don't think I have anything to lose in reporting him especially when i didnt like the manner in which he conducted the training towards me. Yes there was a bit of mocking but all at my expense and a bit harsh I felt.

That's the thing, you have nothing to gain, that I can see, but you do have something to lose. You could be seen as thin skinned/easily offended. You gave the trainer a piece of your mind, would you be at all concerned that your manager may be wary of sending you on future training courses or if you being offended by the usual banter/ribbing that occurs in all workplaces?

I think we all understand what you went through, and most of us have experienced it at one time or another, but you can't go around complaining every time someone has a giggle at you.

As paddy Jackson about his recent banter

davo10

judeboy101 wrote: »

As paddy Jackson about his recent banter

Quite possibly the stupidest post ever on boards.

teednab-el

judeboy101 wrote: »

As paddy Jackson about his recent banter

I be slow on saying anything about the above name.

splinter65

teednab-el wrote: »

For me training should show me how to use the equipment and in doing so increase my knowledge in the matter and without singling out someone and questioning their abilities.

I think personally he should be spoken to and that his job is to train and not insult the employees.

So why don’t you report this to your boss and ask him to look into it for you, and follow it up with you when he hears back from the training firm he engaged?

wexie

teednab-el wrote: »

but I don't think I have anything to lose in reporting him

eh...yeah you do, that's what almost everybody here is trying to explain to you.

Put yourself in your managers shoes.

You're a manager who has paid/arranged to have paid for an employee to be trained.

Is said employee now trained? Yes....

Do you need to know anything else about this training? No...

And you know what, I get it, you're pissed off, maybe even rightly so (I don't know and can't really tell from what you've described) but honestly, genuinely : There is almost no chance anything good will come from complaining and there is lots of chance something not so good will come from complaining.

If you really feel you must say something then frame it in a way as 'I didn't think the trainer was very professional' rather than 'he really upset me'.

But....try to relax over the weekend, have some fun and then have another think about whether or not complaining is a useful way forward.

cml387

In your first post you said you had experience working with similar equipment but the instructor said you were doing it wrong.

So now, from a position of thinking you what you were doing, it was suddenly shown that you were doing it wrong all along.

That can be a bit of a disturbing experience, it's happened to me and it can knock you off balance a bit.

The instructor may have been a bit of an "old hand" who probably has seen it all and can be a bit sarcastic.

However, you must just get over it. Look on it as a learning experience.

doolox

If you do not have a permanent relationship with the trainer if is probably not worth raising the incident with your boss.

If however the trainer were to be rehired in the future to retrain you in the function on a newer piece of equipment then it might be worth your while getting your boss to look into getting an alternative source for the training. I have come across some excellent trainers in my 30 yrs in industry and also have come across some useless creatures with the charisma of a mollusc and the people skills of a rattlesnake.

Try and find out what future direction your company's training plan is headed in, will there be repeat doses of training in the future or is this the end of your contact with this trainer?

Trying to get revenge on the trainer is not a wise move and will only make you look thin skinned to your boss. You should not have to put up with repeat doses of sarcasm and ridicule however.