Business has increased steadily at work over the last couple of months, and over the last three weeks in particular, it's been nutty. (Laughing here.)The sailing hasn't gotten any smoother this week, as the boss hired a new guy. So far so bad. He may be cut out for the job, but he isn't stitched together properly.

I've had a hand in hiring many guys over the years, but I wasn't consulted this time. I wouldn't have hired him. It isn't his fault that he only weighs 130 lbs. soaking wet, but I literally have to move stacks of items weighing 380 lbs. and carry tables weighing anywhere from 30 to 70 lbs. depending on their size for hundreds of feet. I also routinely lift power equipment, roto-tillers, thatching machines and lawn mowers and the like by myself. Some of this equipment weighs more than he does.

I was willing to work with that issue and provide him with lifting equipment and ramps, but he has little drive, and according to one other employee, curses like a stevedore. I won't tolerate that. I haven't heard firsthand proof of his profanity, but I trust the other employee.

So far, as I've been training the man this week, he hasn't impressed me. I've had to repeat things to him and so have my co-workers. I invest a lot of my time while training someone, and I still have to get my other work done. The boss invests time and no small amount of money to employ someone. They need to produce in a timely fashion.

I'm normally more patient than this, but there is a bit of intrigue going on behind the scenes that got me ire up over the hiring of this guy. Turns out, one of our other employees worked for the same former employer that our new hire did. Before the boss hired the new guy I asked my co-worker if he knew this guy. He told me, "No." I asked if he was sure, and he confirmed that. For some reason I didn't believe him. I told the boss so.

It turns out that my co-worker lied to both me and the boss, as she asked him about his relationship to the new hire as well. They know each other, and have hung out and even partied in some of the same places. I'm really disappointed in the co-worker who lied to me. I'm not sure why he lied to me, but I am going to confront him about it when I get the chance. I won't let that one go.

I understand why people lie. They do it to avoid confrontation or some type of unpleasantness. They also lie to try to insure that they get something they desire, and they feel that telling the truth will effectively make them lose what they want. Lying only delays the inevitable though, because whatever a person is trying to avoid or hide will be exposed eventually.

People can be truthful with one another, but sometimes it takes a little understanding. For example, if my wife asks me if the outfit she's wearing makes her look heavy or frumpy, what she's really asking me is, "Am I pretty, and do you appreciate me for who I am?" I speak the truth. (Laughing here)

I've answered questions like that in different ways when she's been shopping for an outfit. The best answer has always been the truth. If I haven't liked the outfit, I've said I just didn't like the outfit, or that it wasn't flattering for her. If that wasn't a good enough answer, I've told her we should find her something she's more obviously comfortable with.

My co-worker should have simply told me and my boss that he knew the man in question. All we were looking for was a possible reference. Now we're left with the impression that he felt he had reason to lie, which only makes everything worse.