Caught in a bind: should I help train the new guy or focus on my deadlines?

Ben Knight · 2026-03-01T19:35:55.501769+00:00

My boss just asked me to show the new hire how things work. I think it could be a way to grow and help the team. But I have a big project due soon and my own tasks are piling up. I'm stuck between being a good coworker and meeting my own goals. What do you think is the right call here?

paige1665mo ago

Training him right saves you time, unlike @grant347's plan.

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grant3476mo ago

I'd probably train him wrong and miss my deadline.

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ramirez.vera6mo ago

Wait, you'd train him wrong on purpose?

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finley_owens6mo ago

My last job had me training a new girl during the final week of the Q3 report crunch. My own slides were a mess, but I spent three full afternoons walking her through our filing system. Ended up working two all-nighters just to catch up. I get what @ramirez.vera is saying about the temptation, but messing up the new guy just makes more work later. Tell your boss you need to shift a deadline if this training is a real priority.

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