Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Difficult conversation with line report

2 replies

Interestingmauve · 05/10/2022 08:05

I'm not really asking for advice, just reflecting.

She's someone in a PT low paid job. It's not highly skilled and the hours are short, so the money is low, but done well it can have a good positive impact on the business as a whole.

She doesn't want more hours but she wants more money. In the three years she's even with us, she's had three long certificated absences, but ostensibly her attendance is good, she doesn't have lots of odd days, only these long absences.

She is "OK" at the job, but isn't one of the people who really has a positive impact. She complains a lot that her workload is too high, although others seem to have been able to manage it during her absences. I've put a lot of training and support in to try and help her, but often suggestions on ways it could be done more efficiently are met very negatively - she doesn't have time to consider them.

Anyway I've listened, I think shown a lot of empathy, spent more than an hour withbher yesterday, but bottom line is there won't be more money. It's public sector so the pay is what it is, but even if there was something I could do, this isn't the staff member I'd be fighting for iyswim.

I've said I understand about the cost of living etc and if she feels the time is right to move on, that what she should do, everyone will understand that she needs to do what's right for her and her family and wish her well.

It feels harsh, but also correct?

OP posts:
FivePotatoesHigh · 05/10/2022 08:08

I actually think the thing you’ve got wrong is not actively requiring her to try new ways of doing things.

BarbaraofSeville · 05/10/2022 08:16

Trouble is @FivePotatoesHigh that that approach generally leads to the person going off sick with 'stress' or raising a complaint about bullying. I've seen it time and time again where I work.

Then you're in the position where other staff have to cover a long term absence and you can't replace the person because you don't have the budget, they're still on the headcount etc etc. This sort of thing can go on for years before a person finally gets managed out.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread