Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

UPDATE: She is still staying home, but I brought in a new temporary girl who is working out great. I even put her on the phone with the girl who is staying home so she could teach her some of the procedures. I havent told the old girl she is being replaced. I just told her the new girl is temporary.. But she has to know she is training her replacement. Its better to keep her on my side, training the new girl how to do her job. This is something good thats coming out of this corona crisis.

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

As of 5pm today, everything is closed by us except essentials. Dzone, is your place still open?

Still open. Im glad I am but I have mixed feelings about it. I am kind of hoping they shut me down too because if my competitors are working, then I have no choice but to work. If I close down, people will go to one of my competitors and I will lose big time.

[guns01]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

Man I sure do appreciate your thoughts on this issue. Youre exactly right and that is what I have decided to do after being awake all night thinking about this. I am going to do what you said and just be upfront with her. Today when I asked her if she can come in one day a week she said "Ya, but we will have to play it by ear" So that is a big help, but still thinking bringing in the girl with experience and not all the drama of the other girl, I may have to consider replacing her. And instead of doing it secretly, without her knowing, I would much rather have her on my side, helping the new girl to learn her job. My employee is not hurting at all during this because she has moved back in with her 2 kids to her parents basement. Its not like she is ever going to be homeless or go hungry.

man you are going above and beyond what a normal boss or supervisor would. it seems like you are bending way to far over for the employee and they are taking advantage of you. is she a stellar employee that makes you fat bank and performs above and beyond everyone else? if that is not the case and hell even if it were i would not have a hard time replacing the employee virus or not. someone with half the talent but more eager to learn and work while respecting you will pay off more so in the long run. time to put the hammer down man and not be the good guy. that's food on your table

[BABY1]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

As of 5pm today, everything is closed by us except essentials. Dzone, is your place still open?

[Yohimbe]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

Man I sure do appreciate your thoughts on this issue. Youre exactly right and that is what I have decided to do after being awake all night thinking about this. I am going to do what you said and just be upfront with her. Today when I asked her if she can come in one day a week she said "Ya, but we will have to play it by ear" So that is a big help, but still thinking bringing in the girl with experience and not all the drama of the other girl, I may have to consider replacing her. And instead of doing it secretly, without her knowing, I would much rather have her on my side, helping the new girl to learn her job. My employee is not hurting at all during this because she has moved back in with her 2 kids to her parents basement. Its not like she is ever going to be homeless or go hungry.

Absolutely brotha, always here for advice. I may not always have the right advice lol, but do my best. I feel your pain and understand what you're going through. I've managed a lot of people in my current position at the company I work for over the past 15 years. I've promoted, as well as let go many people. Couple things I've learned that have worked for me over the years is always being up front with employees and ensuring they know that they are appreciated and their successes are recognized. Even the worst employee has succeeded at something. I'll find it, recognize it and attempt to pull more of that success out of them. My ultimate goal is to build them up and make them the best they can be at what they do. That in turn makes me the best at what I do. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but I'm always upfront with them regarding my thoughts and direction so they're never wondering where they stand. If/when I have to let someone go, it's the last step in a line of upfront communication between us. It always hurts to do it, but sometimes you don't have any other choice.

[dirtwarrior]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

replace her

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

Man that's a tough decision. In my opinion, business is business especially when it comes to owning your own business. I look at it this way, I know a lot of people that are now out of a job and in a panic about how they are going to make ends meet and would love for the opportunity to still be employed somewhere that would work with them around the Covid concerns. It sounds like you've presented her multiple options to work around her concerns by limiting her exposure to people and allowing her to work off hours. In doing that, if she still refuses to work I'd probably consider hiring the other person. None of us knows how long this is going to last (hopefully not long) and you certainly don't want to put yourself further in a bind stressing out about how you're going operate if she refuses to work for the next couple months.

There are probably going to be a lot of people that will make the employer the bad guy in this type of situation and I'm sure it's happening quite a bit as people's fear grows. I'm similar to you and not a hard ass at work to those who work for me. I like being a leader vs. a "boss". This is just what I would do... I'd approach her and be very up front. I'd let her know that I'm willing to make every effort for her safety and let her work around her concerns while limiting her exposure to people by coming in when no one is around. Sanitize and clean regularly to avoid any potential contact. I'd help her understand that she is a valuable asset to the company and I'd hate to see her go, but the business will not make it without employees. I'd let her know as a friend I completely understand and respect her concerns, but as a business owner I will have to back fill her position to keep things going. Could be on a temporary part time basis, or possibly permanent full time going forward.

That's just the approach I would probably take. I don't want you to take that advice and then regret it lol. It's definitely a really tough decision with what the world is going through. There really isn't a way not to look like the bad guy while doing what's best for the business in this current situation. If you do decide to go with someone else, I would certainly exhaust all avenues of legality to ensure she cannot come back and sue you later. This is an unprecedented event we're going through and while it sucks to have to think ahead like that, we unfortunately do.

Man I sure do appreciate your thoughts on this issue. Youre exactly right and that is what I have decided to do after being awake all night thinking about this. I am going to do what you said and just be upfront with her. Today when I asked her if she can come in one day a week she said "Ya, but we will have to play it by ear" So that is a big help, but still thinking bringing in the girl with experience and not all the drama of the other girl, I may have to consider replacing her. And instead of doing it secretly, without her knowing, I would much rather have her on my side, helping the new girl to learn her job. My employee is not hurting at all during this because she has moved back in with her 2 kids to her parents basement. Its not like she is ever going to be homeless or go hungry.

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

^^^^Good advice , thanks Yohimbe. Dzone...we are all here for each other. Come on here with whatever . FG blows FB away and we have been we each here a loooong time

Youre so right Baby1. Im grateful that we can bring issues like this up on the board and get some good perspectives on things. It helps to be able to collaborate with other minds. We have good people on here who have good insight into things. I guess now my manager is going to come in on Thursdays, when nobody is around, with gloves on etc and take care of all the paperwork. Who knows how long it is going to be until nobody is even allowed to go to work

[BABY1]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

^^^^Good advice , thanks Yohimbe. Dzone...we are all here for each other. Come on here with whatever . FG blows FB away and we have been we each here a loooong time

[Yohimbe]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

Man that's a tough decision. In my opinion, business is business especially when it comes to owning your own business. I look at it this way, I know a lot of people that are now out of a job and in a panic about how they are going to make ends meet and would love for the opportunity to still be employed somewhere that would work with them around the Covid concerns. It sounds like you've presented her multiple options to work around her concerns by limiting her exposure to people and allowing her to work off hours. In doing that, if she still refuses to work I'd probably consider hiring the other person. None of us knows how long this is going to last (hopefully not long) and you certainly don't want to put yourself further in a bind stressing out about how you're going operate if she refuses to work for the next couple months.

There are probably going to be a lot of people that will make the employer the bad guy in this type of situation and I'm sure it's happening quite a bit as people's fear grows. I'm similar to you and not a hard ass at work to those who work for me. I like being a leader vs. a "boss". This is just what I would do... I'd approach her and be very up front. I'd let her know that I'm willing to make every effort for her safety and let her work around her concerns while limiting her exposure to people by coming in when no one is around. Sanitize and clean regularly to avoid any potential contact. I'd help her understand that she is a valuable asset to the company and I'd hate to see her go, but the business will not make it without employees. I'd let her know as a friend I completely understand and respect her concerns, but as a business owner I will have to back fill her position to keep things going. Could be on a temporary part time basis, or possibly permanent full time going forward.

That's just the approach I would probably take. I don't want you to take that advice and then regret it lol. It's definitely a really tough decision with what the world is going through. There really isn't a way not to look like the bad guy while doing what's best for the business in this current situation. If you do decide to go with someone else, I would certainly exhaust all avenues of legality to ensure she cannot come back and sue you later. This is an unprecedented event we're going through and while it sucks to have to think ahead like that, we unfortunately do.

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

The aftermath will definitely present problems, but it is now that you are concerned about. Is she your only employee?

Dzone, if you have someone thats willing to work now, I think I would hire her. Will she be able to start asap and jump right in without too much training required by you?

I have 2 employees, the other one was part time and she just had cornea surgery and has been off work anyway, but my full time employee is the one who doesnt want to work now. The other girl who I heard about, has experience and could be able to start right away. Dang, what a mess. Or do I ride this out, since business is really really DOWN atm.

[BABY1]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

I could also see employers who fire employees for refusing to work during covid 19 as being somehow the bad guy. Like how many employers are going to be sued for firing people during this crisis? People feel they have the right to refuse to work and still keep their job

The aftermath will definitely present problems, but it is now that you are concerned about. Is she your only employee?

Dzone, if you have someone thats willing to work now, I think I would hire her. Will she be able to start asap and jump right in without too much training required by you?

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

I could also see employers who fire employees for refusing to work during covid 19 as being somehow the bad guy. Like how many employers are going to be sued for firing people during this crisis? People feel they have the right to refuse to work and still keep their job

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

An employee has to follow the rules of the workplace. They do not make their own rules. She is being selfish.

I agree. Seems like this covid 19 thing is putting it in peoples heads that they no longer have to show up for work.

[Dzone]

Re: Advice please: When ur employee wont work during COVID-19

Yes, Dzone, that is a hard place for you to be in. She is doing what she feels she needs to do for herself, and you need to do the same. Is it possible to hire this new girl part time? Then maybe bring back the other girl part time also, at a later date? I'm just trying to help you with ideas... It sounds like you have given her options, but she is pretty strong on her stance right now?

A time like this calls for hard decisions that don't feel good . In an effort to stay present, you need to do what you have too so your business can run as efficiently as possible.

As the country changes, business needs will change.

Thanks Baby1. Yes, it is a little bit awkward. It is a hard decision. I dont even think she considered the fact that she might get replaced. She does some things exceptionally well, but the other things like coming in to work late so often is getting old and I dont feel like I need to baby sit people and tell them obvious things like please be on time. That should be automatic.