Work question

[ChipsNotDaddy]

I was wondering if you could give me your honest opinion.

Jane is a supervisor in a smallish office (20 people or so). She has a partner, John.

About a year ago Jane and Sandra were talking about John's best friend Fred. As the conversation progressed, Sandra realised that she knew Fred from some years ago - 5 or 6 years ago - maybe longer.

They had a casual relationship (sex) and things fizzled out, nothing much to report from Sandra.

However Jane mentioned that John had told her that Fred was looking for a job and that there was one going in the office. Sandra said "oh gosh no, that would be way too awkward. I'd have to leave if he started working here!"

As it turned out, Fred din't apply for the job in the end as he found something else anway.

A few months later, some stuff happened in the work place and Sandra made a low level complaint about Jane and other staff members.HR were involved but the complaint was rejected.

Sandra and Jane have since reconciled and are civil to each other and are pretty much back to the way they used to be prior to the incidents that led to the complaint.

Jane has received a CV from Fred, the company has just won a massive contract and are very very busy, interviewing lots of potantial candidates.

The CV came via the recruitment agency they use and has been sent to all managers. Jane has not told any other managers about the Sandra and Fred business as does not believe this should be common knowledge, however she has told Sandra that she has no option but to interview him as the needs of the business must come first.

Is Jane BU to go ahead with this, knowing it will make Sandra feel super awkward. Or is Sandra BU for threatening to leave if he is taken on.

Thanks!

Because I found myself in this situation, and by past experiences I know for sure it wont go down well when Fred turns up and because I was subject to problems with Sandra previously, I was protecting myself and seeking advice from my Manager, who then suggested I run it past HR to make sure we arent doing anything wrong.

Because I had already had a specific conversationb with Sandra where she said she would quit.

So you told the manager as well. I would be furious. If she quite that's her right, you will lose an employee but suck it up would be an advise to any employer who wants to play the just being fair to everyone card.

Sandra has worked for your company and has proven herself in her position, I would imagine. Whereas Fred is a complete stranger. There will be loads of other candidates to choose from, there is no need to make a point to hire him. It doesn't even make business sense.

If she quits...

Gosh your company sounds awful!

If Sandra is a valued member of the team then it is not unreasonable to not hire Fred. Existing staff retention should be a high priority.

If Sandra is not a valued member of the team then her supervisor (Jane or otherwise) should be working with her to ensure she improves or moves on.

If it was years ago and fizzled out unremarkably, then what the hell is Sandra's problem?

Who quits their job o the basis of a fling which was wholly a non-event?

if it's come from recruitment co then you really should interview him.

if Sandra has form for being difficult, that needs to be addressed.

You should be considerate to existing employees where possible, but you can't have them dictating who gets a foot in the door.

I used to work on an island where everyone knew everyone and this sort of thing happened a lot. used to annoy the shit out of me. what has happened to being professional?

It's not for Sandra to dictate who her employer employs. It's blackmail!!!

On the face of it, Sandra is being ridiculous. However it seems highly likely that there was more to Sandra and Fred's relationship that she maybe doesn't want to discuss with her colleagues.
It is not unreasonable for Sandra to make it clear to her employer that she does not feel able to work with Fred, for whatever reason.
If Sandra is sufficiently valuable, that may be enough reason not to hire Fred. "Not fitting in/working well with the team" is a perfectly valid reason for not hiring someone, even if it's because the 'fault' is with the current members of the team, not the new hire. Or Fred may be great enough that he outweighs this, in which case Sandra is free to leave.

Another one who thinks Fred should be interviewed.
I can understand why you went to HR, if you have a history with Sandra she could claim he was only hired to make her leave, ie constructive dismissal. She may well be embarrassed by people knowing who she's slept with but frankly if I were Jane i'd be thinking about my own career, protecting myself not some troublemaker who threatens to quit and complains all the time.
Provided the recruitment process is robust there is nothing to be concerned about, lets face it, there are no guarantees Fred will even get the job

Tessellated If Sandra came to Jane as her line manager and said I feel uncomfortable working with this person due to X that is very different to two colleagues gossiping which is how this comes across.