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Original poster

New team member

28 replies

PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 16:29

Gave someone a job over summer (Aug) in our small team

Since then she's taken s holiday, asked if she can change her job title (to a more senior one) and now she's moaning about her salary.

AIBU to wonder why she took the job in the first place?!

OP posts:
lemonyelderflower · 16/10/2022 16:36

If she is looking for a better paid role, I should imaging she is really worried about how she is going to manage during the recession, given the spiralling prices?

PoseyFlump · 16/10/2022 16:45

Is she on a 3 month probation? She's very confident to hint for a pay rise before knowing she's passed the probation period.

TescoCustomerService · 16/10/2022 16:52

Sack her if you can

StillNotWarm · 16/10/2022 17:38

Don't see the issue with taking holiday, but the rest is pushing her luck.

remoteblanket · 16/10/2022 17:52

Have a chat with her and find out what's going on, moaning doesn't sound very professional, give her feedback - let her know what she needs to do to achieve a higher salary or promotion.

Original poster
PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 17:59

Have had a chat.
I just find it a weird way to behave when you're that new in a role.

OP posts:
Original poster
PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 18:00

lemonyelderflower · 16/10/2022 16:36

If she is looking for a better paid role, I should imaging she is really worried about how she is going to manage during the recession, given the spiralling prices?

Well that goes for everyone.

OP posts:
Quveas · 16/10/2022 18:45

I'm not sure what you are asking? If she doesn't like the job title or the pay she is welcome to leave. If her complaints are disrupting work or the team, and you manage her, then tell her point blank - this is the job she has, and if she doesn't like it then (a) leave, (b) stop whining or (c) you will have to review her future.

remoteblanket · 16/10/2022 18:50

PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 17:59

Have had a chat.
I just find it a weird way to behave when you're that new in a role.

And she's still moaning? Then I think you need another chat about her attitude.

Original poster
PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 18:53

I have spoken to her & will continue to do so.

I suppose I'm just amazed. I can't imagine ever behaving this way in a brand new job. It seems quite arrogant to me.
There's nowt so queer as folk eh?

OP posts:
fio1981 · 16/10/2022 19:10

Since then she's taken holiday

Oh well, least they didn't command to be on teams on the first day of their employment, when it just far too hot to travel to workplace for their first day! I even remember one first day this year, lunch breaks had to be changed to accommodate someone going on a driving lesson who forgot to cancel said lesson knowing the week before they were meant to be in an office on an induction miles away. (ok, ahem this was managements friends and family...) another time I sat in a company a whole 6 months before taking any annual leave and I would be wrong if I said I hadn't envied the new person who went off after the first fortnight on holiday in that role...

Seriously people need to lose this whole thing of new person must wait 3-6 months to take annual leave. A company may be glad you did rather than allowing carry over or having to pay it out on top.

How did you know she hasn't had to take jobs on back-to-back and as such lose the opportunity to take time off previously or inbetween jobs because she feels compelled to make it to her first day in not letting anyone down. (really don't knock, I've seen people mess about on first days and they are often the ones who end up well thought of)

Original poster
PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 19:17

I didn't question the leave.
I just think these things combined are a weird way to make your initial impression. Maybe I'm wrong and it's what we should all do?

OP posts:
pippanda · 16/10/2022 19:25

I think benefit of the doubt is perhaps needed here. Taking a holiday in summer... come on I don't think you can hold that against her. In my opinion you could just have a really open one to one with her. If she wants to change her job title to a more senior one, give her the opportunity to explain to you why she should have that title and then same for the salary- give her the opportunity to explain why she feels she deserves a raise and what does she contribute that justifies it? If she can't justify it then or you don't agree it can then be an agreed objective and something for her to work towards. People like to be challenged and have focus and goals. We all took a role - how many of us wanted to stay there and not progress. X

Onlystar · 16/10/2022 19:32

Employees aren’t slaves.
they are entitled to annual leave.
they are entitled to question their salary if they think they aren’t being paid fairly for the work that they do.
These are my beliefs. Despite what the government and employers may thinks.
if she is entitled to annual leave let her take it.
if you are so confident she is paid correctly for the work she does, and there are not examples of others doing similar work for higher pay, or any other issues, then it’s a none issue.

MumE78 · 16/10/2022 19:36

They ambitious to me, it literally could be that simple, maybe a sales or a commission based role might suit them more.

I've been in this position myself a few times, if they are just salary hunting they might not stay anyway, but if they're keen and maybe not experienced enough to project it the right way, they may just need some guidance

drpet49 · 16/10/2022 19:43

Holiday is fine. The rest sounds like entitled bullshit to me. I’d get rid of her

MaybeIshouldnt · 16/10/2022 19:53

Was she entitled to the annual leave? Was she ever told that she'd have to be employed for a certain length of time before she could book a holiday?
Could it be the case that once she started in the role she discovered the actual tasks she is expected to carry out are not in line with what she was told at interview and doesn't come under the job description, title and wage as advertised. Surely she must have rationalised her reasoning in these little 'chats' you've been having?

remoteblanket · 16/10/2022 19:57

MaybeIshouldnt · 16/10/2022 19:53

Was she entitled to the annual leave? Was she ever told that she'd have to be employed for a certain length of time before she could book a holiday?
Could it be the case that once she started in the role she discovered the actual tasks she is expected to carry out are not in line with what she was told at interview and doesn't come under the job description, title and wage as advertised. Surely she must have rationalised her reasoning in these little 'chats' you've been having?

I thought the same - but surely op must have covered mismatched expectations in their chats?

Mezmer · 16/10/2022 20:05

isn't she on probation OP? You could tell her the time to discuss this is at her annual or six month review. If you make that clear to her then she’s making trouble if she keeps nagging you. She’s too soon to be saying this as she’s not going the job that she’s been hired to do at the salary she’s agreed to do it for.

remoteblanket · 16/10/2022 20:14

Lots of people feel unsettled and have doubts in their first few months - often the employer does not do enough to support the transition. Good employees are like hen's teeth at the moment - the op needs to decide whether the new team member's complaints are legitimate - recruitment mistakes are expensive.

TwoWrightFeet · 16/10/2022 20:32

Nothing wrong with taking a holiday. Presumably you approved it?

What is her job role and what is her current title? What is her reasoning for asking for a new title? Is it a big deal if she changes it? If it is a big deal then communicate the reasons to her.

I’m not sure what’s wrong with asking for a pay rise. She may as well see if your willing to negotiate before she hands her notice in.

Original poster
PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 20:35

She is not being asked to do anything above that which was advertised.

I'm not going to go into what was discussed.

Yes of course all employees are allowed leave. It's not the leave I'm objecting to. It's the combination of things.

Compared to many other happy employees, who have gone out of their way to get off to a flying start in our business, I'm finding this appointment a very different experience.

OP posts:
Spareline · 16/10/2022 20:41

I’m struggling a bit to understand what your issue is with her based on the tiny amount of information given.

Is she not grateful enough to be given a job? Do you not like her? Your posts very much create the impression you dislike her and think she’s some kind of cheeky upstart based on very little.

MaybeIshouldnt · 16/10/2022 20:42

PrioritiseCalm · 16/10/2022 20:35

She is not being asked to do anything above that which was advertised.

I'm not going to go into what was discussed.

Yes of course all employees are allowed leave. It's not the leave I'm objecting to. It's the combination of things.

Compared to many other happy employees, who have gone out of their way to get off to a flying start in our business, I'm finding this appointment a very different experience.

Why is what was discussed such a big secret? You're asking people's opinions but not giving all the facts so are not going to get fair and balanced replies so why post at all?

And other employees 'going out of their way to get off to a flying start' makes it sound like you expect all new employees to go above and beyond for little or no reward for their efforts, just to be grateful you've deemed them lucky enough to get taken on.

Onlystar · 16/10/2022 20:50

If you don’t object to the leave why mention it? How weird. It’s like mentioning she went to the toilet twice before lunch, you have no issue with it but mention it Anyway. Weird.

If she’s doing things In he job spec which she’s paid for then What’s the issue? She’s being paid fairly for what she does.
if you are a progressive organisation you can advise her on progression.
If you aren’t she will probably be off elsewhere, but I don’t really see what she’s done wrong.