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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:
Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 04/02/2011 08:29

I have a level 3 in line management Hmm & I'm doing business at OU Hmmx2

I'm just too nice and not hard enough

OP posts:
ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 04/02/2011 11:40

Well... maybe I should just lend you my steel capped boots then :)

Good luck for Monday & remember by being firm with her you are being nice to all the other staff who she is treating badly!

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 05/02/2011 15:54

Is it reasonable to ask her to work her contracted hours on that day (that she was working before she moved house) or to give up that shift

I have tried the working flexibly (& she has no children under 10)

OP posts:
BuzzLightBeer · 05/02/2011 16:23

don't be "disappointed" its far too personal and unprofessional. You need to be clear, you did a and b and this why you cannot do a & b. Now you can either not do a and b again at all or I can give you one weeks notice.

And being flexible is one thing, allowing your employees to pick and choose working hours that don't suit you is ridiculous, and is an invitation to be walked over.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 05/02/2011 19:10

Texting is unacceptable - don't do it again

Work the hour of the shift or lose the shift

I want to keep you on until your notice runs out; but you are making it difficult for me

& remind her she only has 1 weeks notice from me if she messes up again

Does that work?

OP posts:
samalexholly · 05/02/2011 19:54

ooooh! with her attitude she dont deserve that job! if she dont want sacking she should change her attitude!

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 06/02/2011 20:34

She has texted in sick again for tomorrow

OP posts:
flowery · 06/02/2011 22:09

After you made it clear that was unacceptable? Give her her week's notice.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 06/02/2011 22:13

No I haven't seen her yet

I didn't feel it appropriate to take her to task by text Hmm

OP posts:
CURLYMAMMA · 06/02/2011 22:14

When I have to have these crappy chats with people I always think of the other staff- its so crap on the rest of your team for someone to behave like that. Your duty is to the whole team so that gives me the drive to sort it.

Eurostar · 06/02/2011 22:16

what's in her contract about sick pay? Do you pay it or is it only statutory sick pay?

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 06/02/2011 22:27

SSP

OP posts:
Eurostar · 06/02/2011 22:37

So maybe she has worked out she needs to be off 4 days in a row to get SSP?

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 06/02/2011 22:51

Won't tomorrow be day 2 (she doesn't work Fri-Sun)

I just use the CDRom calculator I don't understand SSP

OP posts:
Eurostar · 06/02/2011 22:59

The days you are sick don't have to be a working day, you just have to say you are 4 days sick, such as Friday to Monday inclusive.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

Eurostar · 06/02/2011 22:59

Have you asked her what is wrong by the way?

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 06/02/2011 23:04

Migraine on Thursday
Cold/Flu today

I'm just tired & fed up

OP posts:
Eurostar · 06/02/2011 23:08

Sounds like it will have to be chalked up to experience. Is she going into a similar business to yours?

gomummygo · 06/02/2011 23:12

Time to give her notice, IMO. Or pay her out and be done with it.

If you don't want to, she needs to be told immediately and in no uncertain terms that her behaviour is unacceptable. She is impacting the morale (and possibly productivity?) of other staff and whilst you have tried to be very accommodating of her, you have a responsibility to the continued operations of your business and will not allow her to further impact it. She has the option of demonstrating some professionalism or being terminated.

It is hard being the boss but in the end with some people you often get exactly the amount of respect that you demand (again, imho). Good luck.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 07/02/2011 19:18

Can I text to ask if she will be in tomorrow?

Or is that not allowed

OP posts:
flowery · 07/02/2011 19:19

Yes absolutely you can ask.

flowery · 07/02/2011 19:22

But really, is the stress worth it? If she's still on her probationary period, on a week's notice and causing you this much grief, I'd be inclined to ring her and say you are giving her her week's notice, and say you will be confirming it in writing, and you will not require her to come into work again.

Eurostar · 07/02/2011 19:34

Of course you can. If she didn't give you any indication today that's not good.

I asked if she is in a similar business as I'm wondering if you need to make sure she doesn't try to lift contacts etc.. from you?

It sounds like you need some HR support as, as well as not enjoying having to manage difficult staff, you don't seem very aware of employment laws re sickness and someone unscrupulous could easily get you on an unfair dismissal charge - usually small companies end up settling rather than risk time and money on a lawyer - you need to make sure you're covered in this area.

Original poster
AntirhinumMajus · 07/02/2011 20:49

Sorry I'm ex-civil service & your supervisor wasn't allowed to ring you at home because it was harrassment

No reply yet; Thanks for everyone's advise - I know I am bad at it (although funnily enough my staff like the way a manage & think I am reasonably fair - strict in some was & a push-over in others)

I wish I could get HR advise (& accountancy help & a PR consultant &....&.....&....) but me & ACAS & Business Link do OK when combined with MN Wink

OP posts:
Eurostar · 07/02/2011 21:25

ah, public vs private sector, different worlds. Friend of mine was off sick with a proper illness from her pubic sector job after years in private and felt really upset that her manager didn't ring to ask how she was getting on - turned out they were scared to ring as had been trained it was harrassment to call an ill employee.

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