TweetWhat would you do? An employee told me yesterday that she will NOT be coming to work, indefinitely, until the covid 19 crisis is over. Probably 3-4 weeks. Its put me in a real bind, as I am having to do the work now of 3 people. I told her we are taking every precaution against covid 19 and she could even come to work when nobody else is around to do paperwork. She choose not to. She is NOT going to leave home until covid- 19 is over. I cant force her to come to work.
Now I am trying to figure out how she can do remote work from home for a month, which is still way inferior to being here.
Today, I came across someone with experience at this kind of work who is looking for a job. I honestly think this new girl would be a better employee than the girl who is taking herself out of work because she is afraid of corona.(She shows up late to work every day)
But is it uncool of me to consider replacing this employee because she and her family dont think she should be working during covid 19?

TweetIm not even sure if this question is appropriate for me to be asking on here anymore , but I cant take this question to a public forum like FB because my employees will see it or hear about it.
Yes, I am probably wayyyy too laid back as a boss. Too easy going. I am NOT a hardass in any way shape or form. Working for me is damn fun 99% of the time. I want to be fair with this employee, but she wont even come in to do paperwork when nobody else is around. Im sure there are people who would call me a dick for considering replacing any employee during covid 19 but I got a business to run and right now things are hanging on the razors edge of danger. All of this would be just fine if she could come in just one day a week, but she said she wont do that. So what to do. Ya, this is the shit that keeps you awake at night. It sucks.
I talked to several people today who work for corporations. I asked them if they have the option of taking time off during covid 19. They all said if they dont go to work during covid 19, they will lose their job. They dont have a choice.

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

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Originally Posted by jipped genes

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.

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Originally Posted by Dzone

What would you do? An employee told me yesterday that she will NOT be coming to work, indefinitely, until the covid 19 crisis is over. Probably 3-4 weeks. Its put me in a real bind, as I am having to do the work now of 3 people. I told her we are taking every precaution against covid 19 and she could even come to work when nobody else is around to do paperwork. She choose not to. She is NOT going to leave home until covid- 19 is over. I cant force her to come to work.
Now I am trying to figure out how she can do remote work from home for a month, which is still way inferior to being here.
Today, I came across someone with experience at this kind of work who is looking for a job. I honestly think this new girl would be a better employee than the girl who is taking herself out of work because she is afraid of corona.(She shows up late to work every day)
But is it uncool of me to consider replacing this employee because she and her family dont think she should be working during covid 19?

Is she older. Does she have any immune or respiratory disorders?

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Originally Posted by macedog24

Is she older. Does she have any immune or respiratory disorders?

She is 34. Healthy. She has 2 daughters, 3 and 8. Her parents moved her out of her apartment and into their basement this week. Her parents are also totally freaked out about corona and think its going to wipe out half the population. This whole corona crisis is creating a whole new set of problems for employers. What do you do when you have employees who refuse to work?

TweetYes, 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.

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Originally Posted by BABY1

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.

TweetI 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

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Originally Posted by Dzone

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?

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Originally Posted by BABY1

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.

TweetMan 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.

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Originally Posted by Yohimbe

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.

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Originally Posted by Dzone

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.

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Originally Posted by Dzone

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