Unhappy with new employee

[maxine]

They worked saturdays for my mums shop last year and begged me for a job once they left school as they are supposedly interested in plants and gardening (I own a garden centre)

This sounds like the previous recruitment process which although not ideal is how some people end up with less than ideal employees and you are right it's not fair on anyone but there are quite a lot of small businesses without recruitment experience and who just do what they see others doing around them or what was done to them before.

At the time the posts were made it wasn't about advice on recruitment it was about advice on dealing with a situation. I still think you are absolutely right though to make the point about hire & fire cultures as it's a dangerous approach.

 

[johnjames]

(1) If you have signed a contract with him/her and they are over 16 then if you discussed the matter with family you could find yourself breaching the data protection act.
(2) I agree with the above posts, if the owner of the chip Shop (Mother) starts defaming your business then a solicitors letters should do the trick. Or you could find one online with the right words in it. You would have to get proof and they could not be your employees? (Check this.)
<I know what I would do as it would have nothing to do with your business if this started to happen I would send a relative in with a voice recorder hidden and ask if the (your shop was any good) do this a few times with different relatives and you have the proof. Friends as well.> Again check this out.
(3) I would suggest after talking to the Inforamtion Comissioners Office that if you have any meeting with him/her that you record the meeting with their consent (they would be enititled to a copy and you would need to keep it in a secure safe where no once else could get it.) Make sure that he/she understands (plain English) what you are saying etc. Be straight to the point. If you have a "manager" it might be best to have someone else with you? Again check this.
Best of luck and remember its your business dont let anyone hold you to ransom.
Regards John

 

[jonathanfigaro]

I suggest you give him a couple of warnings, in relation to not performing to his best ability. Then if he decides not to make a effort to better himself, you should pull the plug.