re: How do you deal

First, sit down and have a conversation with the coworker that your having an issue with. Be frank but not confrontational and LISTEN. Employees tend to talk at one another instead of trying to figure out how to work together. Offer possible solutions to the employee you're talking to and take notes.

If your one on one conversation doesn't go well, talk to the direct manager/supervisor. Bring notes to this meeting with manager/supervisor from your conversation with the slacking employee and notes on why this one employee is so incompetent that it's keeping you, the group, from meeting your goals.

Take detailed notes on the feedback you get from the manager. If the manager agrees this employee's performance is impeding success, try to help the manager come up with specific ways to address the employee's performance. Send a follow up email to the manager with the notes you took during the meeting with the manager - BE PROFESSIONAL AS YOU'VE EVER BEEN IN AN EMAIL.

Listen to the manager. There are many reasons why managers keep around employees that may look less than stellar. If you work in a group, you're not the first person to bring up the incompetent employee. Decent managers know their employees well. Moreover, managers have to discern what is a valid complaint about another employee and complaints from an employee who is just not working well with another employee..... most complaints are employees just not working well together. Don't expect the manager to address your complaint if you're the only one complaining.

If you can't get the manager to resolve the issue, go home and do some introspection. You're either going to have to work around the slacker or submit your resignation.

The manager/supervisor will have a choice to make if you submit your resignation..... if you're the most valuable employee the manager will work something out. If the manager does nothing, it's not the place for you and you'd be happier somewhere else.

No matter where you work there will be less than stellar coworkers. There are not a lot of stellar employees and sometimes we just have to work with what we got.

Remember this: "Be patient; water finds it's level." Prove you're a stellar employee and you'll be rewarded. Show your manager his/her day is a little less stressful because you're around to build your credibility with your manager. Good things will come, just not immediately.

I guess I would need more details. Like they are just making minor mistakes? They are screwing up stuff that takes days to repair? You are having to do two people's workloads?

High protein diet. Fart around them all day long.

Go through this process often; it's a running joke in the office. Mention it to their boss, and listen to the response "well, he/her just hasn't been trained."

My response is always "well, when are you going to train him/her?" Then I just sit there for an extended time and enjoy the uncomfortable silence.

In general I would help them help themselves. I would offer some coaching but up to the point where they are actively trying to improve themselves. I they don’t want to read and learn the material to get better I will then avoid expending any further effort on them and let nature take it’s course. Honest feed back all around when asked.