Can't get rid of lifer associate

I'm a 38 year old principal at a buyout shop in NYC. Been here for 2 years and there is an associate of like 50 years old that has been there for 8 years. I spoke with our managing partner about him and he is apparently useless but he has a soft spot in his heart for him.

The guy won't work the same hours as other associates and he pushes back constantly. Tbh, his work quality is also worse than other associates. Everything I give him always ends up either being bad or at best, mediocre. He must have some kind of dirt on the one partner cause he will flat out not get rid of him despite how bad he is.

How do I get this guy to do nonsense work and stay away from me?

15 Comments
 

I've got a similar situation. I just give them the BS admin-ish things I need. The easy analysis. The charts. The updating things. It blows but I've learned to think of them as analysts + and that works for me. 

Like the unadjusted- only with a little bit extra.
 

He hasn't received a bonus or salary increase in 5 years. His work is truly awful and even the admin stuff we give him has mistakes but the managing partner just won't get rid of him....even my other staff complain about him to me - he causes damage.

Maybe I need to keep a list and give it to the partner. I've probably asked him 10 times to get rid of him and he won't.

 
Most Helpful

I was in a similar situation at one point, albeit was a VP and I was an associate.  Regardless of the fact that the whole situation is absolutely ridiculous, I'd caution getting too invested in the outcome.  There is clearly deep loyalty with this fella and your boss/firm, and I'd think deeply about whether this is a hill you want to die on.

At this point, you know what you're working with, you've told the Managing Partner 10 times to fire him, and he is still around.  I'd probably leave it at that.

Best case you get this old man fired and maybe gain some efficiency at the junior level.  Worst case, the guy is the heir to the fortune of your largest investor and you've alienated yourself by trying to get him fired for 2 years. 

 

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