Dear Bob ... Someone close to me is experiencing an "employee problem." She employed a graphic designer on a three month contract to work on the company's product catalog. He is very good at what he does, and is liked by eveyone else in the company. She works with him directly, as she is the overall manager of the Catalog department. He seems to have a problem working under someone. Perhaps in this case it is th Dear Bob …Someone close to me is experiencing an “employee problem.” She employed a graphic designer on a three month contract to work on the company’s product catalog. He is very good at what he does, and is liked by eveyone else in the company.She works with him directly, as she is the overall manager of the Catalog department. He seems to have a problem working under someone. Perhaps in this case it is that his boss is a female and 15 years younger than he is. He gets upset and rude when he can’t do things the way he wants. He recently scheduled a meeting with the department to say “how the catalog is going to run.” He is not the catalog manager, he has been hired to produce the graphical aspect of the catalog, but seems to want to take over the entire project. He has stated to one of the regional managers that his boss is “incompetant”.The guy sounds like a tyrant who will throw his weight around to his own benefit, regardless of whether he steps on anyone elses toes or upsets them. The way he is manipulating the people in the company that like him against his boss is not pleasant. Any suggestions on letting this guy know how he should fit into the company without causing resentment, and what his role in the company is?– Irritated Dear Irritated …The first and most obvious question is whether the catalog manager is aware of the extent to which Mr. Catalog Expert is undercutting her. If she is, it’s her problem to deal with. Her proper response: Tell the guy that from now on he’s mostly telecommuting until this assignment is finished; she’ll personally screen his work products; if the quality or quantity of his output drops she’ll unceremoniously terminate his contract immediately; and this is his last contract.And, if he even thinks about going over her head, his contract will be terminated, for cause, instantly. What can you do? Make sure she’s aware of what’s going on.If, for some reason, you want to intervene more directly I suppose you could approach the contractor yourself, tell him he’s acting like an unprofessional clot, and suggest he comport himself as befits a guest in someone else’s house. Unless you have some direct role to play in the project, though, you’re unlikely to achieve much, other than to have the guy also start badmouthing you.– Bob Technology Industry