I have a moral dilemna and I need advise.

Alot of very good advice here. I would talk to the kid outside of work and let him know that it was a very close call and "not very sharp" knives can do alot of damage. You and this kid will get alot mor mileage out of this situation if you have a heart to heart.
If he has worked there for a year plus I sure wouldn't like to be the one to put him out. I have a hard enough time trying to find young employees that will stick around and work. Give him a break with a lesson.
 
Maybe I am a bit on the overlly harsh side, but I think that anyone waving a knife around me (and taking swings at my body parts) needs to be taught a lesson. People make accidents, but that was a stupid thing for him to do and he deserves a couple of good blows to the head. Thank goodness he didn't draw blood.
 
In my line of work I see the kids who are "let off with a talking to" all the time.To bad I don't see them before they have taken a life.I know a kid (yes kid 19 yrs) who is serving life because everyone "talked to him" but never held him responsable for his actions. OH YEAH,what if it had been YOUR KIDS hand? Would you be having this moral delima?????I wonder if he aims guns at customers(you know, since they are not loaded) in the store.


 
I think D Juvet has it right. But if from your talk it seems to you that the kid doesn't get it and his attitude isn't sufficiently contrite, then I'll bet your feelings about being in a dilemma will disappear, you will speak to the manager, and the kid will really get it.
 
Its time for a little soul searching.

The kid has been there for a year. That is plenty of time to have a serious accident if he is a completely reckless jerk. If he is still there then maybe he is not reckless.

You need to consider whether you in any way encourage his behavior. That is the problem with young people they are easily encourage to do silly things. If you are not sure; stand back and watch how he behaves with other customers next time you are in the store.

If, at the end you feel that you may have encouraged him, then talk to the kid and make sure he knows how you want to be treated. If, you find he is behaving this way with everyone, then drop a hint with the manager suggesting that he should supervise the clerk a little more closely.

 
I don't think there is any doubt you should tell the store manager or owner. As you can probably guess, he could get sued seriously for an action of this sort on the part of an employee. I think you owe it to him to let him know that an employee is acting well meaningly but irresponsibly.

I'm not suggesting the employee should be fired, but he should have a serious corrective interview. His actions aren't good for business and if he can be stopped from a repeat performance everyone, including him, will be a winner. Take care.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
I think Ferret has the right answer. Good show Ferret.

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 
TELL the manager/owner! If you do not speak to a person with authority you are exposing the store to a liability. Action without prejudice needs to be taken especially since you TOLD him not to put you in jeopardy and he disregarded Your authority of your body.

[This message has been edited by tallpaul (edited 05-06-2000).]
 
I can see why you are in a moral dilemna. It's easy for others to give advice, but it is you who have to live with what you decide to do. A person's attitude will not change without a significant emotional event. You need to decide how you perceive this young man's attitude to be. The advice above about watching him in action with others is good. Any action you take with the store owner will have an impact on this fellow's job. If you feel he has not learned and will continue or has continued in the careless action he took with you, you must do something to ensure others are not hurt.

Bottom line: If he's a flake, talk to his boss. If he loses his job, maybe he'll learn something.
 
thanks for your help!!! I will either take a print out of this thread to either the kid or the manager. I have decided; but I prefer not to post my judgement. If you wish to know please email me.

Let me give all who posted an HONEST, HEARTFELT THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. You help has helped me find the answers.

Ed
 
Next time you go into the store make a point to talk to the young man.Do it in a friendly way.We all make mistakes.Lord knows I have made some memorable ones.
He knows what he did without having to be told.IMHO

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have a"knife"day
 
YES!
That's the best thing to do: just make a print-out from all the replies, put it in an envelope and hand it to the kid. He will see the point.
 
It should have been nipped in the bud right when it happened.Sounds like the kid should be in a different dept. selling fishing poles or something.This is a good example of an uneducated youth,this is the sort of thing that happens do to the lack of proper passing down of the dad/son training.Probably an example of the stupidty we'll see do to zero tolerance rules of society viewing knives as evil.The kid probably had no one to show him knife/gun handling/acting responsibly procedures.The only thing he probably knows about handling knives is from hollywood.Later,Ralph
 
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