A part-time worker is poaching clients

[Jillybee]

I have a dog walking/Daycare business. One of my workers, has decided to go part time, but I have found out that she has started up her own dog walking business. This I don't mind as she lives in another area, however she is promoting her business within my business & poaching clients.
Advise welcome please

 

[billybob99]

Tell her to jog on.

 

[Jillybee]

Yes this was totally my thoughts, also one of the said poached client, that I know of so far, is dismissing my services, but still wants her dog into Daycare for another 3 days, am I being over the top for telling her to jog on to?

 

[Gordon L]

I would just take the money and get over it.

 

[billybob99]

Yes this was totally my thoughts, also one of the said poached client, that I know of so far, is dismissing my services, but still wants her dog into Daycare for another 3 days, am I being over the top for telling her to jog on to?

Take the money from the poached client, whilst you can + tell the poacher to jog on.

 

[Mr D]

Presuming this is a breach of her contract (you did issue an employment contract?) then would it not be a sackable offence?

 

[Newchodge]

I take it you haven't got an employment contract with an enforceable restructuve civenant that orevents this kind of behaviour? Or a contract with your clients that prevents this as well?

 

[Socio South West]

I take it you haven't got an employment contract with an enforceable restructuve civenant that orevents this kind of behaviour? Or a contract with your clients that prevents this as well?

Within the realms of the sums concerned, is anyone going to be mad enough to pursue action to try and enforce this sort of clause?
OP should broaden the advertising to cover this person's area, and offer a better service and see the opposition off.
Certainly terminate the employment of the opposition and get on with business - its a fairly transient market with dogs and owners coming and going all the time.

 

[Newchodge]

Within the realms of the sums concerned, is anyone going to be mad enough to pursue action to try and enforce this sort of clause?
OP should broaden the advertising to cover this person's area, and offer a better service and see the opposition off.
Certainly terminate the employment of the opposition and get on with business - its a fairly transient market with dogs and owners coming and going all the time.

No, but reminding them about the existence of such a clause can bring results.

 

[fisicx]

@Jillybee, if someone else set up a dog walking business next door and started nicking your clients what would do?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Sack them

 

[Newchodge]

Sack them

5?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Header should have read
I had a part time worker who is poaching clients?

Treat all your customer well even the ones who are leaving you to go to her, make sure they know they will always be welcome back if things don't work out, Whatever you do, do not mention the other person

As others have stated make sure you promote your experienced company in that area

 

[Alison Moore]

Tell her it's not acceptable and ask her to no longer promote herself in you area or poach you clients. That might be enough to stop her. People often think they're getting away with stuff, if you don't say anything to them about it. If she won't stop advertising in your area, then I'd tell her you no longer need her services and stop employing her.

 

[MBE2017]

Let her go, and mention if she wishes to try and take you on and poach more clients, then it will force you to undercut her until she decides to go elsewhere.

 

[simon field]

Threats rarely work.

Just do the thing, get rid now!

 

[Onthebrightside]

I had someone who did this to me (teaching classes). I told her I no longer needed her services as we had less clients now.

Once she had left I sent all my clients an email and advertised on facebook and website that everyone could get 10% off their next 3 classes - they all came back to me.

Obviously her business wasn't a success as she phone me to ask if I needed anyone now things were picking up - vaguely mentioned she had tried to run some classes of her own but complained I had taken her customers! You just can't believe the audacity of some people can you?

I had another woman who recommended to my customers one of my rival businesses! Told her to leave the show too.

 

[MikeJ]

Certainly terminate the employment of the opposition and get on with business - its a fairly transient market with dogs and owners coming and going all the time.

We've had our dog walker for 19 years! Different dogs, I hasten to add.

 

[Mr D]

We've had our dog walker for 19 years! Different dogs, I hasten to add.

You changed your dogs but didn't change your dog walker?

 

[MBE2017]

Threats rarely work.

Just do the thing, get rid now!

It has always worked for myself, but maybe I'm just plain nasty. Life is tough.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I’d agree with others re getting rid

however, moving forward thus has exposed a fundamental weakness in your business which you really need to address


The best long-term way of getting customers to stay is to offer a service that they won’t want to leave. Beyond that you can manage the situation to some extent with contract terms.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

Meh. It’s a dog eat dog world out there.

 

[Eldy70]

What does your contract with her say? I'm hoping it sets out an agreement where she is not allowed to poach your clients. (Essentially, a non-compete clause - which is still in force after she leaves the business.)

I'd have a firm conversation with her first (because people don't read contracts, bizarrely). Tell her it's not on and you'll escalate to disciplinary if she doesn't stop it.

I don't know if this is feasible for you, but I pay a retainer to an employment lawyer - costs me about £60 a month. They draw up all my contracts and give advice on all kinds of situations. I view it as a kind of insurance policy - and it has saved my bacon a couple of times.