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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be pissed off with my employee?

161 replies

Fueledwithfairydustandgin · 02/03/2018 21:27

I have very recently employed a new girl to help with my horses. She wasn't quite what I was looking for in the level of her experience but I liked her and maybe saw a bit of myself in her and decided to hire her and train her on the job. This isn't totally ideal in that I'm busy and this is another drain on my time. It's being going ok but on Tuesday she contacted me to let me know she wouldn't make it in due to the snow. I was a bit annoyed because it wasn't that bad and I could have picked her up from the village as I've done before to save her mum (who drops her off as she doesn't drive). It meant I was left with a yard full of animals in the snow and a toddler on my own. She has just contacted me to say she won't be in this weekend because she went to her granny's to help her out with her horses (45mins away, we live 10 tops) and is now snowed in there. My PILs have just driven home via that way no trouble. I am worried because she needs lots of training which I'm loathe to do if she's going to be unreliable. She wants to bring a horse here which I'm happy with except I would have had yet another animal to look after. I'm worried I will seem like an unreasonable bitch if I sack someone for not turning in when the weather has been so horrific but I feel the whole thing has been a bit unprofessional.

OP posts:
greendale17 · 03/03/2018 08:20

I Would get rid- this girl is getting paid double than what she’s worth and she still can’t make a decent effort

mustbemad17 · 03/03/2018 08:21

The big thing here for me is that she (and her folks) was comfortable enough to drive out to a relative's to help with horses after claiming not being able to leave the village. Not being able to get to work isn't a surprise for many currently...but I can promise now had I refused to go to work one day then driven further afield the next i'd have been pulled into the office. It isn't on.

And if the animal welfare buck stops with the owner, why are we then being all mushy about the fact they buggared off to help with horses cos a relative is pregnant?? Not on. Also doesn't matter what she is paid, she took the job on knowing the rate & what her responsibilities are.

george49 · 03/03/2018 08:21

I think YABU questioning her commitment when she is entirely dependent on her parents to take her to work. Like others have said, she could have begging to come in.

Offering to pick her up would have solved the problem.

I have also been a groom. So many employers take on children then expect a ridiculous amount for the pittance they pay, don't provide proper breaks, holiday or sick pay and no proper on the job training.

It's mostly a shit job working for unscrupulous arseholes.

LightastheBreeze · 03/03/2018 08:22

You need to employ someone who isn't so reliant on parents, granny etc

george49 · 03/03/2018 08:22

Exactly - provide proper conditions and employ an adult with a driving licence.

sallyandherarmy · 03/03/2018 08:23

george49

Ahhhh, now that is the perfect solution.

Don't ever give a job to a 16 year old who acts like a 'child'.

And when 16 year old children moan that they can't get a job, just remind them that they are 'children' and only adults can be employed.

And when they say, "but how am I supposed to get a job/experience"? , just say, "let me tell you the story of the chicken and the egg.."

Pathetic answer.

livingontheedgeee · 03/03/2018 08:24

She has rights and they are to take time off work, without pay, if the weather prevents her from going to work. It's the law. If you fire her specifically because of that it could get you in hot water and cost you far more in the long run.

Give her the benefit of the doubt, tell her you need her to work and will provide transport to get her there and back. If she refuses then you are within your rights to let her go.

My 16 yr old DD treked 45 minutes through the snow at 7am this morning to make sure she didn't let her employer down.

MnaSneachta · 03/03/2018 08:24

You are bei g v unreasonable. Perhaps you need a person who can live in.

Paintingqanda · 03/03/2018 08:25

@Pengggwn I think the concern is the casual sounding attitude to getting there doesn't leave OP with much confidence that she would be able to get there, say, for her own horse or in other situations.

If OP wasn't around to feed the employee's horse, or even her own (maybe if she was away or in hospital) what would happen to the horses?

Working in difficult conditions are all part and parcel of yard work so it's probably a good litmus test. If employee was really apologetic or prepared to walk to the village or what have you that would make her appear much more committed. OP hasn't said how the message was delivered but it sounds quite casual.

george49 · 03/03/2018 08:25

Aren't you a gem sally?

The OP is moaning that a child who can't yet drive couldn't get to her rural yard in the snow. Well what a non shock that is!

What is the child meant to do - walk there?

CherryMaDeary · 03/03/2018 08:26

@George - OP is paying her double minimum wage and has said that will increase when she is trained. Hardly a pittance.

A stern chat from OP may just be the kick up the bum she needs. Time will tell.

UrsulaPandress · 03/03/2018 08:26

Finding good stable hands is a bloody nightmare.

The one at the farm I am on hasn't turned up for the last three days and I've ended up looking after two ponies that she took on as extras to the owner's horses.

And yes it usually teenage girls.

george49 · 03/03/2018 08:26

That's presuming it's not walking distance,

The OP could have collected her, or sent a taxi, or provided living in accommodation.

She did none of that

Pengggwn · 03/03/2018 08:27

Paintingqanda

I absolutely don't think the OP should agree to stable a horse belonging to a minor anyway. It's irresponsible. Her parents would be responsible for the welfare of that horse.

But the employee, as things stand, doesn't have a horse on those premises. She couldn't get to work because the conditions were dangerous and that is all she has done.

Paintingqanda · 03/03/2018 08:28

Do agree though that picking up would be reasonable.

Hopefully it will turn out you were right to take a chance on her OP and this was just particularly tricky (hard to explain the visiting relatives though!)

CherryMaDeary · 03/03/2018 08:29

Exactly - provide proper conditions and employ an adult with a driving licence.

Why George ? I worked as a 16 yo with no car and was impeccably punctual. You are effectively discrminating against non driving 16yos.

wibblywobblyfish · 03/03/2018 08:31

Wait until the roads are safe again before you make a decision. If she's still not performing to a reasonable standard after that it's best to let her go.

tattychicken · 03/03/2018 08:34

I'd speak to her face to face. You'll be able to tell a lot by her response, she'll either be mortified and embarrassed and desperate to put it right, or pissed off and eye rolly.
I worked as a part time groom at a younger age, actually got paid peanuts but learnt loads. Had impromptu lessons, helped break in youngsters, things that were much more valuable to me than the money. Reliability was paramount. If my employee had left in the lorry for a competition at 4am, it was down to me to feed and turn out the other horses. Not turning up was not an option. She needs to appreciate that.
It sounds like you're giving this girl a great opportunity. I would certainly speak to her, and depending on her reaction give her another chance. And hold fire on her bringing her horse to you. That privilege needs to be earned and you need to be sure of her, or you'll end up doing her horse for her while she does her Aunt's!

Creambun2 · 03/03/2018 08:34

Under 18's should be in education or training - is this an official apprenticeship OP with release for college etc?

However, employing non-drivers with no transport of their own in rural areas is pointless. It's why most young peeople interesting in farm work for example, learn as soon as possible as they are useless on farms without a license.

Cloudhopping · 03/03/2018 08:34

The last week has been out of the ordinary in terms of weather and in some areas really unpredictable. If it were me I'd wipe the slate clean and make it clear that you were giving her a months' probation from now and see how it goes. I wouldn't have her horse until she'd proved herself reliable.

GnotherGnu · 03/03/2018 08:35

She has rights and they are to take time off work, without pay, if the weather prevents her from going to work. It's the law. If you fire her specifically because of that it could get you in hot water and cost you far more in the long run.

Nonsense. She's only been employed very recently; she can't bring any form of unfair dismissal claim.

tattychicken · 03/03/2018 08:35
  • employer
Coloursthatweremyjoy · 03/03/2018 08:36

I think the fact she's young and dependent on parents for travel etc is clouding the issue really. I get there is a duty of care but getting into all the personal ins and outs could be a mistake.

She went for and took a job. She needs to make sure she can get to it, reliably, every day (snow aside but you can't fail to turn up for work then travel almost an hour elsewhere). I've had to pass jobs over because my child care wouldn't fit around them. Or gone for an interview then though "actually do I really want to make that drive everyday?"

I think you need to lay on the line what's expected, say your not happy. I'd point out that she obviously could have come in as well. But I think you should give her a chance to turn it around.

Being really inexperienced isn't her fault though. You gave her the job knowing that. I'm not very experienced in my role now. There is nothing more annoying than your employer saying "Oh, don't you know how to do that/someone in your role should know that." When you were honest at interview, they knew what you could do and they said they would teach you! projecting

SleepingInYourFlowerbed · 03/03/2018 08:37

Where abouts in the country are you? If you were in the red alert area then it's right she didn't work. However they shouldn't have gone to see grandma either. If you're near me then no excuse really, snow hasn't been very bad at all

CherryMaDeary · 03/03/2018 08:37

Under 18's should be in education or training - is this an official apprenticeship OP with release for college etc?

Or it's probably just a part time job?