A funny thing happened on the way to the test.

[Shu]

I was running a few minutes late and told my bosses boss I would meet him at the test site. Seems like he wanted a dog and pony show for some high rollers from the east coast. No big deal, might help us get more funding. I have a mentally impaired guy (Michael) that works part time, he delivers the mail etc. He was told if a gate is closed you don't open it (For safety reasons). Just hang the mail bag on the gate and go to the next place. There is a telephone at the gate but he won't call and ask if he can open the gate, He just hangs the bag and goes on just like he was taught. Well, when I arrive at the gate he is hanging on the gate screaming. The boss and his guests were trying to calm him down. Michael saw them pull up to the gate, and when the bosses driver tried to open it, Michael flung himself on the gate and started screaming. He had the death grip on the latch and wouldn't allow it to be opened. When I finally got him calmed down he said no one opens the gate unless you come from the inside. (Which is exactly what he was taught). The boss was a bit suprised and I explained this was done for Michaels safety. I then told Michael to put his biycle in my truck and I would let him watch the test also. I radioed down to the office and had the office manager print up a safety award, a $100 on the spot award and a a day off with pay award. I pulled the boss aside and said it would mean alot if he gave Michael the awards for being so safety concsience. He did, Michael got his picture taken with the big boss and is taking his day off tommorow. My question is if a mentally impaired guy can understand don't open the gate why can't the big boss?
 
On another note I got half the crew hanging on gates and screaming now. Sometimes you just can't win.

[oldandslow]

 

[Old Syko]

Good job SHU.  Sounds to me like $100 well invested.  Michael gets the money and everyone else gets a lesson.

[powderman]

SHU. Great story, thanks for sharing. POWDERMAN. 

[Brett]

Shu,  An At-a-boy award to you for handling the situation with patients and understanding.  You probably made Michael's year and as another poster pointed out drilled a lesson home to the rest of the crew. 

[Shu]

Fortunately we are allowed to pass out some on the spot awards. Ranging from 100 bucks to a day off with pay. It is great incentive to get people to perform and go above the normal. I have 5 test sites and told the leaders at each site they can use an on the spot award for 100 bucks anytime  they thought some one really deserved it. I would back that up anytime. I did say I need to approve the day off with pay though. At first I was worried it would be abused, but it works real well. The investment pays above and beyond what you would expect.
 
 

[guzzijohn]

His reaction is quite typical of people with mental disabilities, especially those with Down's Syndrome. They can be very capable and productive. As demonstrated it is important to teach exactly what you want and generally the person will not vary from that. As a whole they make very safe workers as they will not be looking for short cuts, etc. Many employers pass the opportunity to hire a great employee because they do not believe a mentally challenged person is capable of being a good employee.
I remember an employer of a fairly large company telling me about a Down's Syndrome employee that was laid off along with a number of other employees during a down turn. After being laid off this employee kept coming to work anyway and would just wait all day outside. After a few days the employer started checking into who this person was and what they were doing, when he found out he hired him back.
GuzziJohn

[Shu]

Guzzi,
 You are right. The welder painted a redline  on the floor of the weld shed and the machine shop. Michael was told never to cross the red line. He won't cross that red line for anything. The line was put there so he wouldn't get caught up in anything.
 
His dad took him fishing today, hopefully they have a great time.

[Land_Owner]

On another note I got half the crew hanging on gates and screaming now. Sometimes you just can't win.

Unintended consequences.  Don't you love it! 

Great story.  You did well by Michael.  Your "stock" rose a great deal in both the Director's eyes and those of Michael.