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Original poster

Hate being a boss

52 replies

AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 07:58

I have a member of staff leaving at the end of March to start their own business.

Things are a bit strained, as she is winding the other staff up by suggesting they are incompetent (me included)

I have been going down the line of don't make waves

But she is contracted to work 10-4 but has childcare issues so I have been being flexible

Yesterday I asked her to work 8-2 (so she could get her child) & that wasn't really any good, so I said OK 10-4 which wasn't any good either; so I said I needed either 8-2 or 10-4 as I needed either end of the covered & someone else was being flexible and would do the other one.

She agreed to do 8-2

She just phoned in sick & I feel so let down

How do I deal with it?

OP posts:
BiscuitNibbler · 03/02/2011 09:08

Garden leave? It isn't going to get any better so you may just wish to pay her to stay at home in the interests of your sanity.

megcleary · 03/02/2011 09:12

See if they want to leave earlier not work their notice or something then perhaps you can advertise and replace them.

flowery · 03/02/2011 09:18

'Don't make waves' would be a good strategy for a couple of weeks, but if she's not going until the end of March that doesn't seem fair on the other staff tbh. Or you for that matter.

You could consider garden leave as Biscuit suggests. I think personally I'd try dealing with it and keeping her at work first. Partly because I am stubborn and wouldn't want to reward bad behaviour with 6 weeks paid leave. BlushGrin

I think I'd meet with her, say you know she is on her way, you wish her all the best of luck with her new business, but she is still working here for several weeks and while she's here you need her to focus on her job and maintain good working relationships with other staff. If she has a problem with something a team member has done say she should come to you rather than speak to them directly as this is causing disruption in the team.

Is she entitled to be paid for sickness absence? If not, I'd suggest certainly not paying her if you think she may be trying it on.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 09:23

I have a replacement due to start when she leaves & she could start earlier

But she has begged me to stay until her business starts as she needs the money

I'm a bit Hmm but don't want to be unfair

OP posts:
Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 09:24

She is still on probation so 1 weeks notice

OP posts:
megcleary · 03/02/2011 09:26

Cut her hours a bit start the new person to get perhaps a handover period she may get the hint.

mackereltaitai · 03/02/2011 09:28

I would call her in when she returns and put a firm but positive rocket up her bum. She's on one week's notice and if she pulls that sort of stunt again you will have no hesitation in invoking that as you have an entire team to think of. However, you have both agreed on her finishing date and you are looking forward to seeing her pulling her weight until the end of March as she is an asset and it will be exciting to launch her off into her new business. In the meantime, you expect (not need) her to be a positive employee, and that you also expect her to sort out her childcare issues in the short period remaining.

Then stick to it - if she mucks you around like that again, give her notice.

hairyfairylights · 03/02/2011 09:32

Sit down with her and be very straight with her. Tell her that you are happy for her to stay til
end of march but that she is expected to paly with the tram bot against it and tell her that slher behaviour is unacceptable.
She has probably cottoned on to you feeling frustrated and is probably waiting for a telling off. If she doesn't get it, she will see you as weak and carry on . Nip it in the bud by having a one to one meeting and make sure she knows her behaviour won't be tolerated.

tribpot · 03/02/2011 09:46

Sorry but she is taking the piss. Long notice periods are a drag even for the most conscientious employee, which she certainly doesn't sound like she is (although I sympathise with childcare issues and my work is very, very flexible with me). Gardening leave or let her go would be my advice as well.

tribpot · 03/02/2011 09:51

Sorry, wrote that before I read that you are effectively doing her a favour by keeping her on til it suits her to leave! You're being way too nice, and unfair to your team as a result. I really think you need to let her go. If she's still on probation I guess she hasn't even been with you that long - sorry to be harsh but this is what probation is for.

hairyfairylights · 03/02/2011 10:05

sorry I've just re-read my message and there are lots of iphone errors!

Sit down with her and be very straight with her. People who behave like this are often actually waiting for a telling off. I've been told this by people six months later before - they play on your 'weakness' of not dealing with it.

Tell her that you are happy for her to stay til the end of March, but that she is expected to play with the team, perform in her role, and continue to be as committed to her current role as everyone else. Tell her that you will have no choice but to give her notice should she not pull herself together.

If it happens again, bring her in, tell her she is on one week's notice, and get rid.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 11:59

Sorry it's been a bit mad & everyone has had to cover

She is in on Monday I think we will have a bit of a chat

OP posts:
TheVisitor · 03/02/2011 12:02

You need to. You're the boss and you're allowing her to behave like this. As she's still on probation, you can get rid of her without notice. Inform her of this and tell her to wind her neck in.

hairyfairylights · 03/02/2011 12:02

I'd have more than 'a bit of a chat'. That is too informal when the rest of the team is being affected.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 12:04

She genuinely have been ill

I guess I expected more than a text - although we have nothing formal in place asking for more

OP posts:
mackereltaitai · 03/02/2011 12:12

Antirhinum, if you go in with an attitude of having 'a bit of a chat' with her, it will go wrong, and you will feel rubbish. Fix your agenda and take control of that meeting. You will not be firing her unreasonably, just letting her know where the boundaries are. Do it in a positive way.

Oh, and develop a formal sick-leave notification policy pronto, if you need to. But I don't see why you need one to take action here - everyone knows that texting your boss to say you're sick, especially when your boss has specifically said she needs cover for that day, is taking the piss. She should have rung you and discussed it. She would be outraged if her childcarer texted her to say 'can't take your child today' at 0 hours notice.

It is hard to realise that some people really can't or don't consider turning up to be part of their work responsibilities.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 15:12

How about that I am really disappointed in her actions today.

If she cannot work the hours she is contracted to on a Thursday maybe she ought to reduce her hours & not work that day

& between now & when she leaves I would like to keep the atmosphere nice for the other employees but that she needs to co-operate a bit in order for this to happen

OP posts:
hairyfairylights · 03/02/2011 16:17

You need to be very, very careful here. If you say you are disappointed in her actions, you are accusing her of faking being sick. Can you back this up?

Personally, I'd be concentrating on the bad attitude and letting her know what you expect, and how you expect it.

She needs to do more than 'co-operate a bit'. YOu need to be very clear on what is expected and how you're going to measure it.

Make sure you get her to fill in a self-certificate for the day sick she took - and monitor any further sickness that coincides with awkard shifts.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 22:13

Could I be disappointed she texted?

See I'm bad at this aren't I?

OP posts:
ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 03/02/2011 22:22

Antir - you are letting her take you (and the others) for a ride.

Do as has been suggested. Use their exact words if you have to - but keep at the back of your mind you are doing her a favour keeping her on that long - if she doesn't sort herself out give her her weeks notice and be done with it!

Don't be 'dissappointed' tell her it is unacceptable to text.

Sort out what days/times she is working and tell her that you expect her there and if she is unable to do so then it would be in her best interest to leave sooner rather than later.

Feel us all standing there with you when you talk to her!

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 22:49

I am way too nice to be a boss; I fit much better into the 'friend' role

I will try; but I get a bit passive aggressive when I get cross

I warn all my staff in interview that while I will do my best to get them time off, if I can't & they call in sick it's a disciplinary thingie

& I found "You need to speak to a senior member of staff" in the contract of employment concerning sick ntifying

OP posts:
ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 03/02/2011 23:12

How did you end up being 'boss'?

Is it worth all the stress?

There's no need to get cross, just firm Wink

She's taking the piss & needs telling. Be a friend to the staff who are staying, who are being inconvenienced by her.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 03/02/2011 23:23

Well in 2003 there was me & DH & now there are 8 of them plus 4 juniors

It just "grew & grew" like Topsey (as my nana would say)

Is it worth the stress....no Blush but I can't get out now

OP posts:
ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 03/02/2011 23:42

Oh so you aren't just 'the boss' either, you are the employer!

Can you afford to hire a Manager?

If not - can you afford to do some trainign courses so you feel a bit more confident in the role you have found yourself in?

ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 03/02/2011 23:43

Could you get a less stressful job and employ a manager with the wage you have been paying yourself?