AIBU not to buy my employee a leaving card /present?

[EloiseTheFirst]

Small business. Me and 4 part time employees.

I hired this person to start beginning of August.

She resigned beginning of Sept. apparently going elsewhere as she needs more hours.

This is a part time role which was explained in the job ad, before interview, during interview and at job offer.

Employee says she was "job hunted" but I saw this job advertised mid Aug so I don't believe her.

I had to pay another member of staff to work extra hours to train her during a time I can barely afford to be paying double wages. Now I have to start all over again with someone else.

I am convinced she took this job as a stop gap to tide her over until she got something with more hours.

Consequently I'm not planning on giving her a leaving card / present.

Am I being bitter? Or is it fair enough?

Say good luck (and mean it), but no - no card and certainly not a gift.

That's a good point @skodadoda, OP would you put yourself in financial hardship to keep her in if you couldn't afford to?

Were your business circumstances to change would it be immoral of you to ‘let people go’.

I wouldn't hire someone if I knew there's a chance I might have to let them go after a month.

@sleepylittlebunnies

I was upset to not receive even a card after 16 years working in the same job. It might sound grabby but after contributing to a multitude of leaving presents for others over those years I was expecting at least a token gift. It made me realise though that I had made the right decision to leave and I also decided that I won’t ever return as I had planned on doing some bank work there. Generally; staff that stayed less than a year tended to get a card and flowers or box of chocolates but nothing elaborate. I think just a month or 2 then good luck wishes, even if not sincerely felt is enough.

I can see why you were upset

However pause for a minute.

Why? 13 years and not ONE person bothered but they did with everyone else.

I would be upset but I would be seriously introspective about myself that over 13 years.... not one person cared enough to bother

Sorry 16 years!!

@tectonicplates

OP, this is less about buying a present and more about your recruitment method. I once saw a job advert that said "Must have a legitimate reason for looking for a part time job rather than full time".

Next time, ask more thorough questions at the interview. Ask the person why they're looking for part time work, and what it is they do the rest of the time (childcare/studying/second job/"side hussle"/health problems). If you don't ask, then you're naturally going to get people who'd rather take something as a stopgap.

I really hate it when employers blame employees for their own hiring mistakes. This is on you.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

It would have undertones of (unlawful) discrimination. People don't need to tell you why they want part time work and anyway they just make something up and it's none of your business.

This employee took a role that didn't suit her needs, but she did need a job, she didn't tell the employer that she really needed full time because then she wouldn't have got the job.

It's annoying but it happens.

I don't expect any employer to give a leaving card or gift, I'd expect work colleagues to arrange that between them.

can see why you were upset

However pause for a minute.

*Why? 13 years and not ONE person bothered but they did with everyone else.

I would be upset but I would be seriously introspective about myself that over 13 years.... not one person cared enough to bother*

Maybe there was some failure of communication. Maybe it was at a time when a lot of people were under stress (if it was recent, in the time of coronavirus, I would certainly understand the omission). Maybe, more unpleasantly, the poster was not one of the 'cool kids' and was a victim of subtle bullying. Which certainly need not be her fault, as you seem to be implying. The phrase 'not ONE person bothered' is misleading her, because usually such gestures are not made by ONE person (unless it's a formal group leader), but are organized by the group as a group.

'misleading here' not 'misleading her'

YANBU. Nobody has use for cards and she didn't work for many years in your company. Just wish her well and move on. No need for card or gift.

I told one employer I was leaving because I needed fulltime hours.

I was leaving because he was an aggressive, sweaty, sweary arse and his clients were slime.

He went off on one about the inconvenience to him and how I'd betrayed him by even thinking about looking elsewhere, never mind not turning down 5 times the salary for just over twice the hours.

Didn't get a card.

Got a far, far better job, though.

Yanbu. I wouldn't buy a gift she has already wasted your time by excepting a job that wasn't what she needed. Anyone who leaves under a year wouldn't receive a gift a card maybe.

I am convinced she took this job as a stop gap to tide her over until she got something with more hours.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with her doing this! She had no idea how long it would take for something with more hours to come up, is she supposed to just have no job in the meantime? You sound quite unprofessional, it’s just business, she has to do what’s right for her and her family, it’s not personal.