Trouble Employee

[Janet Harris]

Hi,

I run a small high street shop and also trade via ebay and amazon from a warehouse.
I have two staff members both part time on 20 hour contracts. One is perfect but the other who has been with us just over a year now is a nightmare for the last 6 months, since the second member of staff started.

Our high street like most has become slow, We made a change in January that one member of staff would be in at a time apart from weekends when it's our busiest when myself and one other staff member works.
​

Bit about her: She a mum to two teenagers and has a husband who works full time, One of her kids doesn't settle in at school very well and has attempted to take her life a number of times.

Since the start of the year she has had 6 days off sick, 2 days off as kids couldn't go to school, 2 half days due to issues like washing machine leaked, Late 8 times.

She is fantastic with customers however doesn't do the general shop tasks that keep the shop working as such.

I have spoken to her regarding her performance and mobile phone usage, to which she said she felt she was doing a good job but when I mentioned what isn't being done she said that she wasn't aware she had to do it... The task she wasn't doing is general shop tiding and cleaning!

Two weeks later I spoke to her again as any tasks I ask her to do, does but doesn't do correctly or takes ages to do it and that she still on her mobile. (Policy states no mobile phone on during working hours) When I speak to her about it she gets angry and defensive.

Issues:
Content Illness - She will text message me an hour before she starts
Mobile Phone - She has been giving a copy of our mobile phone policy, which states no phones on person or usage during working hours apart from breaks, progressive disciplinal will be taken if caught. I've given her 4 verbal warning she still carrying on using it.
Poor performance - Takes ages to do tasks and doesn't do them correctly. When checking away deliveries she fails to check it correctly and has to recount at least twice!
Stops working 10 - 15mins before due time to finish, She will stop the task she is doing and gets ready to leave on the dot.
Hours - She contracted to a 12 hour contact however now does 20 hours, this was agreed verbally. I need to change her hours again starting her at 10 instead of 11. How is best to do this?

Can anyone help with advise please. I'm at wits end!

 

[Newchodge]

First, why has she had 4 verbal warnings for the same misconduct. You have demonstrated to her that you don't take your own policy seriously and that she is free to ignore it.

If you both agreed 20 hours, then that is her current contract. It can only be varied if you both agree.

I recommend that you sit down with her. Tell her all the things that you have mentioned in this message, one at a time, without anger or blame, and ask for an explanation as you raise each one. Listen to her explanation and consider if it is valid. Do not argue, confront or blame. Do not lose your temper. After you have listened, explain to her that, while you underatnd she had problems with the snow, or whatever, this situation cannot continue. You expect her to achieve xyz, 100% attendance for the next 6 months, whatever is appropriate for each concern. Explain that while you appreciate list her good points, that unless she achieves the goals set, she will be dismissed. Confirm this, in detail, in writing. Make sure you are explicit about goals and time limits.

You will need to make notes in advance so you don't forget anything. You should make notes of her responses.

Alternatively, call her in, tell her it is not working and that she is dismissed with (contract or) 1 week's notice which you will pay her inlieu together woith her outstanding holiday. Escport her from the premises immediately.

 

[Mr D]

Alternatively, call her in, tell her it is not working and that she is dismissed with (contract or) 1 week's notice which you will pay her inlieu together woith her outstanding holiday. Escport her from the premises immediately.

I'd be tempted from what has been said to start with that point and simply replace her. Multiple opportunities already to show she can improve things.

If you do keep her it may be worth amending your mobile phone policy and requiring staff keep the phones in lockers / drawers / bags that are not on the person. Then give an emergency contact number that relatives can ring if they must contact the person.

 

[Paul Norman]

If you employ people, you have to know how to do HR properly. And if you don't, talk to someone like @Newchodge above, who does.

It is frustrating, but you cannot allow things to drag on. No one is winning if that happens.

But the advice above is exactly correct, so follow it exactly and you could have a solution very quickly indeed.

 

[Ashley Morrison]

Hi,

I run a small high street shop and also trade via ebay and amazon from a warehouse.
I have two staff members both part time on 20 hour contracts. One is perfect but the other who has been with us just over a year now is a nightmare for the last 6 months, since the second member of staff started.

Our high street like most has become slow, We made a change in January that one member of staff would be in at a time apart from weekends when it's our busiest when myself and one other staff member works.
​

Bit about her: She a mum to two teenagers and has a husband who works full time, One of her kids doesn't settle in at school very well and has attempted to take her life a number of times.

Since the start of the year she has had 6 days off sick, 2 days off as kids couldn't go to school, 2 half days due to issues like washing machine leaked, Late 8 times.

She is fantastic with customers however doesn't do the general shop tasks that keep the shop working as such.

I have spoken to her regarding her performance and mobile phone usage, to which she said she felt she was doing a good job but when I mentioned what isn't being done she said that she wasn't aware she had to do it... The task she wasn't doing is general shop tiding and cleaning!

Two weeks later I spoke to her again as any tasks I ask her to do, does but doesn't do correctly or takes ages to do it and that she still on her mobile. (Policy states no mobile phone on during working hours) When I speak to her about it she gets angry and defensive.

Issues:
Content Illness - She will text message me an hour before she starts
Mobile Phone - She has been giving a copy of our mobile phone policy, which states no phones on person or usage during working hours apart from breaks, progressive disciplinal will be taken if caught. I've given her 4 verbal warning she still carrying on using it.
Poor performance - Takes ages to do tasks and doesn't do them correctly. When checking away deliveries she fails to check it correctly and has to recount at least twice!
Stops working 10 - 15mins before due time to finish, She will stop the task she is doing and gets ready to leave on the dot.
Hours - She contracted to a 12 hour contact however now does 20 hours, this was agreed verbally. I need to change her hours again starting her at 10 instead of 11. How is best to do this?

Can anyone help with advise please. I'm at wits end!

Lots of small companies now offer mobile phone lockers, they have really come down in price, you can get a small 6 compartment unit for around £100. If their phone it is locked away then they wont be tempted to use it

Lockertek sell a really good one and which would be ideal