Scroll up and read my comment. That should be all you need to do. You should not make suggestions on how to improve their environment, that could be overstepping a personal line.
Employee Trouble.....Need help.
- Thread starter Jenesis
- Start date
depends on how you value this person and his work. first understand his intentions. motivating someone is the easy part, no longer enjoying what he does or working for you is another. if it's the latter, hire toy joy as the replacement
You got a lot of advice, some of it sounds like it is coming from knowledgeable people. Unfortunately the advice is free and you know what that is worth. What you are involved in is a process, which means you will want to consult more than once. I suggest you speak with an employment lawyer. For example, Howard Levett, who is on radio and has a column in the National Post.
Jenesis, this must be a stressful situation for you.
If you require male company for stress relief, I'm willing to take 1 for the team and provide such companionship.
In the holiday spirit it'll be free of charge.
If you require male company for stress relief, I'm willing to take 1 for the team and provide such companionship.
In the holiday spirit it'll be free of charge.
Ok so the update
First, I am glad I didn’t just fire him out right and I am glad that I talked with him.
The internet problems where true. I believe that.
The problem with working at home apparently is two women who consistently ask for things during the day.
Since the pandemic, his MIL moved in so that she can be cared for as she is elderly and they did not want her in LTC. I get that.
He is the only one to go outside, unless it is for their daily walk. So he has to do all the shopping, and anything else dealing with outside the home. He had to arrange the entire move of his MIL on his own. Only his brother was allowed to help move. There was a list of other things he gave examples of. Like cleaning out the garage and small home repairs and renos to make wife and MIL happy. They would insist that he do this during the day when they are awake and would keep saying that he can do his work ”later” as in doing it in the evening. Which his says he tries to do but by the end of the day he is exhausted.
I get his issue, but of course I need work done when I need it done. He says he is going to have a talk with his wife and tell her his job is now on the line. He wants me to actually email him about it so he can show it to his wife. Which I would have done anyway for record keeping, but hopefully it works.
So the plan;
We are coming up with a check-in reporting system. Something like a punch clock but different to accommodate our business.
He is creating a dedicated office space where he can close the door and let the women know that means do not disturb for any reason other then death or fire.
He is going to train the receptionist with the basics and she is going to obtain proper education to learn everything properly. She is interested in the field.
For all employees, yearly salary increases are based on a performance review. Not just given because it is the end of the year.
Weekly progress reports will now be required which will be given in in-person meetings weekly when the pandemic is over. For now it will be remote over zoom and email.
For him, we will be doing bi-weekly reviews until I am sure we have his remote working under control. His yearly performance review is in April. I have explained that one more missed deadline will mean he doesn’t even make to that yearly review. He understand and accepts this.
It is hard because I understand his problem. He understands my position. I don’t want to fire him, he doesn’t want to lose his job. We work well together. When we are working. It just seems like the women in his life need to stop taking advantage of him and me. I am not paying him to move MIL into the house.
I know to some this may sound like I went soft on him. And maybe I did, but I feel for him. And I need him still until my receptionist, who will have a new title soon, is able to take over the job. Which won’t be for awhile. So I hope he is able to seriously convey to his wife how serious this is. If I have to, I will fire him and outsource temporarily.
Anyway, I wish I knew if he hobbies. I would gift him a session with a woman of his choosing. He really sounds like he needs it.
First, I am glad I didn’t just fire him out right and I am glad that I talked with him.
The internet problems where true. I believe that.
The problem with working at home apparently is two women who consistently ask for things during the day.
Since the pandemic, his MIL moved in so that she can be cared for as she is elderly and they did not want her in LTC. I get that.
He is the only one to go outside, unless it is for their daily walk. So he has to do all the shopping, and anything else dealing with outside the home. He had to arrange the entire move of his MIL on his own. Only his brother was allowed to help move. There was a list of other things he gave examples of. Like cleaning out the garage and small home repairs and renos to make wife and MIL happy. They would insist that he do this during the day when they are awake and would keep saying that he can do his work ”later” as in doing it in the evening. Which his says he tries to do but by the end of the day he is exhausted.
I get his issue, but of course I need work done when I need it done. He says he is going to have a talk with his wife and tell her his job is now on the line. He wants me to actually email him about it so he can show it to his wife. Which I would have done anyway for record keeping, but hopefully it works.
So the plan;
We are coming up with a check-in reporting system. Something like a punch clock but different to accommodate our business.
He is creating a dedicated office space where he can close the door and let the women know that means do not disturb for any reason other then death or fire.
He is going to train the receptionist with the basics and she is going to obtain proper education to learn everything properly. She is interested in the field.
For all employees, yearly salary increases are based on a performance review. Not just given because it is the end of the year.
Weekly progress reports will now be required which will be given in in-person meetings weekly when the pandemic is over. For now it will be remote over zoom and email.
For him, we will be doing bi-weekly reviews until I am sure we have his remote working under control. His yearly performance review is in April. I have explained that one more missed deadline will mean he doesn’t even make to that yearly review. He understand and accepts this.
It is hard because I understand his problem. He understands my position. I don’t want to fire him, he doesn’t want to lose his job. We work well together. When we are working. It just seems like the women in his life need to stop taking advantage of him and me. I am not paying him to move MIL into the house.
I know to some this may sound like I went soft on him. And maybe I did, but I feel for him. And I need him still until my receptionist, who will have a new title soon, is able to take over the job. Which won’t be for awhile. So I hope he is able to seriously convey to his wife how serious this is. If I have to, I will fire him and outsource temporarily.
Anyway, I wish I knew if he hobbies. I would gift him a session with a woman of his choosing. He really sounds like he needs it.
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One thing I learn since promoted to management - everyone can be replaced...no matter how good you are, the business that works and has a steady revenue will survive without that "important" person...you will adapt and keeping this person around may actually damage your relationship with your clients in the long run if you keep struggling to meet deadlines.
Captain obvious here. Hello?Anyway, I wish I knew if he hobbies. I would gift him a session with a woman of his choosing. He really sounds like he needs it.
Good on you for working with him to resolve the situation. Some of my bosses were definitely not that patient. Sounds like you have a good plan and have put forth clear consequences if he does not improve.Ok so the update
First, I am glad I didn’t just fire him out right and I am glad that I talked with him.
The internet problems where true. I believe that.
The problem with working at home apparently is two women who consistently ask for things during the day.
Since the pandemic, his MIL moved in so that she can be cared for as she is elderly and they did not want her in LTC. I get that.
He is the only one to go outside, unless it is for their daily walk. So he has to do all the shopping, and anything else dealing with outside the home. He had to arrange the entire move of his MIL on his own. Only his brother was allowed to help move. There was a list of other things he gave examples of. Like cleaning out the garage and small home repairs and renos to make wife and MIL happy. They would insist that he do this during the day when they are awake and would keep saying that he can do his work ”later” as in doing it in the evening. Which his says he tries to do but by the end of the day he is exhausted.
I get his issue, but of course I need work done when I need it done. He says he is going to have a talk with his wife and tell her his job is now on the line. He wants me to actually email me about it so he can show it to his wife. Which I would have done anyway for record keeping, but hopefully it works.
So the plan;
We are coming up with a check-in reporting system. Something like a punch clock but different to accommodate our business.
He is creating a dedicated office space where he can close the door and let the women know that means do not disturb for any reason other then death or fire.
He is going to train the receptionist with the basics and she is going to obtain proper education to learn everything properly. She is interested in the field.
For all employees, yearly salary increases are based on a performance review. Not just given because it is the end of the year.
Weekly progress reports will now be required which will be given in in-person meetings weekly when the pandemic is over. For now it will be remote over zoom and email.
For him, we will be doing bi-weekly reviews until I am sure we have his remote working under control. His yearly performance review is in April. I have explained that one more missed deadline will mean he doesn’t even make to that yearly review. He understand and accepts this.
It is hard because I understand his problem. He understands my position. I don’t want to fire him, he doesn’t want to lose his job. We work well together. When we are working. It just seems like the women in his life need to stop taking advantage of him and me. I am not paying him to move MIL into the house.
I know to some this may sound like I went soft on him. And maybe I did, but I feel for him. And I need him still until my receptionist, who will have a new title soon, is able to take over the job. Which won’t be for awhile. So I hope he is able to seriously convey to his wife how serious this is. If I have to, I will fire him and outsource temporarily.
Anyway, I wish I knew if he hobbies. I would gift him a session with a woman of his choosing. He really sounds like he needs it.
It is mind boggling that he let his wife and mil walk all over him to do chores around the house instead of getting your work done. I can understand if the family was going through major health problems, but that wasn't the case here.
But it is a big mindset shift to have people work from home. It does take some people much longer to adjust.
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Jenesis,Ok so the update
First, I am glad I didn’t just fire him out right and I am glad that I talked with him.
The internet problems where true. I believe that.
The problem with working at home apparently is two women who consistently ask for things during the day.
Since the pandemic, his MIL moved in so that she can be cared for as she is elderly and they did not want her in LTC. I get that.
He is the only one to go outside, unless it is for their daily walk. So he has to do all the shopping, and anything else dealing with outside the home. He had to arrange the entire move of his MIL on his own. Only his brother was allowed to help move. There was a list of other things he gave examples of. Like cleaning out the garage and small home repairs and renos to make wife and MIL happy. They would insist that he do this during the day when they are awake and would keep saying that he can do his work ”later” as in doing it in the evening. Which his says he tries to do but by the end of the day he is exhausted.
I get his issue, but of course I need work done when I need it done. He says he is going to have a talk with his wife and tell her his job is now on the line. He wants me to actually email him about it so he can show it to his wife. Which I would have done anyway for record keeping, but hopefully it works.
So the plan;
We are coming up with a check-in reporting system. Something like a punch clock but different to accommodate our business.
He is creating a dedicated office space where he can close the door and let the women know that means do not disturb for any reason other then death or fire.
He is going to train the receptionist with the basics and she is going to obtain proper education to learn everything properly. She is interested in the field.
For all employees, yearly salary increases are based on a performance review. Not just given because it is the end of the year.
Weekly progress reports will now be required which will be given in in-person meetings weekly when the pandemic is over. For now it will be remote over zoom and email.
For him, we will be doing bi-weekly reviews until I am sure we have his remote working under control. His yearly performance review is in April. I have explained that one more missed deadline will mean he doesn’t even make to that yearly review. He understand and accepts this.
It is hard because I understand his problem. He understands my position. I don’t want to fire him, he doesn’t want to lose his job. We work well together. When we are working. It just seems like the women in his life need to stop taking advantage of him and me. I am not paying him to move MIL into the house.
I know to some this may sound like I went soft on him. And maybe I did, but I feel for him. And I need him still until my receptionist, who will have a new title soon, is able to take over the job. Which won’t be for awhile. So I hope he is able to seriously convey to his wife how serious this is. If I have to, I will fire him and outsource temporarily.
Anyway, I wish I knew if he hobbies. I would gift him a session with a woman of his choosing. He really sounds like he needs it.
Good for you!
I've learned a lot by reading this thread, both by following your planned approach, and from everybody's suggestions.
It sounds like there were some other factors that you uncovered.
You haven't gotten soft on him. You uncovered what you believe is a key issue in the decline in his productivity, and it sounds like he's on the way to rectify it.
The wife and MIL need to understand the realities of working from home... that sometimes you can't drop everything to work on the honeydew(honey-do) list, and that if he's ignoring the wife/MIL, that he's actually busy with work.
That idea of having you writing an email to him so that he can show it to his wife is a good idea. I realize that you were going to write that email anyways, but now you can pump up the email and be even more stern in the email, knowing that he will use it to show his wife to drive the point home.
Very well played. I hope you're on the road to recovery. Good luck moving forward with this guy.
[With the pandemic, I'm sure that a lot of us hobbiests are itching for a session, too.]
I am glad I spoke to him first as well and that he was able to be honest with me. That was the big thing that helped. He could have lied and that would have made it worse.
I have to admit I did have a little fun letting my “stern side” come out. LOL Hopefully the email does the trick.
To be honest, he is a little passive. Some of the members here who assert they are “alpha‘s” would probably call him a beta, but he is a good guy. A nice guy and a hard worker when working. But I can see how he would want to appease his wife and MIL. Plus they come of an ethnic group where taking care of family is everything and apparently MIL was/is the matriarch of the family. So she probably controls wifey who in turn controls hubby.
I just really feel bad for him. In a pandemic, 2 nagging women, boss complaining who is also a woman, he needs to feel appreciated for a bit I think.
I do have another male employee who actually knows I do this on the side. Maybe I will get him to fish for info and see if we have a hobbyist in my little slacker. We may still be able to get him some female appreciation. LOL
PS - @curvluvr - I am doing much better, thank you.
I have to admit I did have a little fun letting my “stern side” come out. LOL Hopefully the email does the trick.
To be honest, he is a little passive. Some of the members here who assert they are “alpha‘s” would probably call him a beta, but he is a good guy. A nice guy and a hard worker when working. But I can see how he would want to appease his wife and MIL. Plus they come of an ethnic group where taking care of family is everything and apparently MIL was/is the matriarch of the family. So she probably controls wifey who in turn controls hubby.
I just really feel bad for him. In a pandemic, 2 nagging women, boss complaining who is also a woman, he needs to feel appreciated for a bit I think.
I do have another male employee who actually knows I do this on the side. Maybe I will get him to fish for info and see if we have a hobbyist in my little slacker. We may still be able to get him some female appreciation. LOL
PS - @curvluvr - I am doing much better, thank you.
Look at TERB being a useful forum for ideas and advice!! Well done. We aren't just a community of perverts after all. (Well I guess we really are, but at least some of us are useful for something else during a pendemic)
Good luck Jenesis.
Good luck Jenesis.
Get him much needed stress relief before he jumps into a lake from three women nagging him all day long. He will appreciate you for introducing him to the hobby. 360 Positive
Jenesis 2:25
And they were both naked, the man and his woman, and were not ashamed.
And they were both naked, the man and his woman, and were not ashamed.
First off, are you paying expenses for your employees home office needs, such as internet?
If not, you are not in a position to complain about them citing internet issues.
Second, the fact that you are permanently moving to a work from home model means that you have significantly changed the working environment from that initially agreed upon when the employee was hired. As such, for the next two years this employee can, at any time, claim constructed dismissal, and come after you for severance. And there is very little legally you can do about it.
You have no idea what this employee's home situation is like, and if it is even close to being conducive for a work at home environment, and that is not their fault. This was not the work environment they were lead to believe they would be working in when they took the job. Covid made the initial change, but you are the one who is now making it permanent.
If you want to let them go then fine, but make no mistake, because of the permanent changes you are making to the working environment, you can not legally fire them with cause. So, if you do choose to let them go, and they have been a long time employee, be prepared to pay a hefty severence.
If not, you are not in a position to complain about them citing internet issues.
Second, the fact that you are permanently moving to a work from home model means that you have significantly changed the working environment from that initially agreed upon when the employee was hired. As such, for the next two years this employee can, at any time, claim constructed dismissal, and come after you for severance. And there is very little legally you can do about it.
You have no idea what this employee's home situation is like, and if it is even close to being conducive for a work at home environment, and that is not their fault. This was not the work environment they were lead to believe they would be working in when they took the job. Covid made the initial change, but you are the one who is now making it permanent.
If you want to let them go then fine, but make no mistake, because of the permanent changes you are making to the working environment, you can not legally fire them with cause. So, if you do choose to let them go, and they have been a long time employee, be prepared to pay a hefty severence.
Please read the update that I posted.
First, I was not looking to fire him. I was looking for help to motivate.
Second, I have addressed the issues and we have a plan moving forward.
Thank you for your reply though a little late.
