If you were an employer, would you give more hours to the employee who...?

Question

If you were an employer, would you give more hours to the employee who has worked for 1.5 years, is trained and works in two areas of operation, and has no kids or husband to help support her or to the employee who has worked for less than but nearly 6 months, is trained and works in one area of operation, and has two kids and no husband to help support her? (both females and both have horrible financial situations and there are less than 20 hours available for either employee and neither have a second job)

Answer 1

I would give more hours to the employee who does the best job. It's not about background. It's about performance. If they both did excellent jobs, then I'd split the hours between the two employees.

Answer 2

You can only make a professional decision in this matter.
We all have personal circumstances that we may believe to be more difficult than the next persons issues. A professional would never take into account the individuals marital status, financial hardships, or whether or not they happen to be childless.
It would be necessary to follow company guidelines, or to base the decision on information relevant to the work that must be performed.
If I owned the business, and the decision were entirely up to me......You could use seniority, or you could use performance as a standard, however, in order to CYA, any performance, attendance, or disciplinary actions would have to be formally documented prior to this decision. Otherwise you're asking for a disgruntled employee to sue you.

Answer 3

Personal issues aside, I would give more hours to the person who has the best attitude and accomplishes more. Personal issues don't concern me on how I schedule as they are irrelevant to my needs as a business owner. No matter how bad the employees situation is, if they come to work, ready to work, that's what I want. A customer doesn't want to hear from an employee how bad they have it. If their personal life comes to work, I really hate it and will address it immediately.

I would also be concerned about them handling my money due to temptation, but I trust until proven otherwise. "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me"

Answer 4

I would have to say that I would rely on my employees that I can depend on. One that doesn't call in, knows their duties. I wouldn't rely simply on length of employment, and if one employee has learned to do other tasks, another can be taught to do the same.
As far as personal situations, that would be none of my concern, someones personal life should not have anything to do with their employment.

Answer 5

Senority has its privilages. But if both are deserving the extra hour give the lions share to the most senor employer first. There really is no easy answer and one is probably not going to like what ever decision is made.

Answer 6

I'd have to know all involved

and I'm sure I would take more than work efficiency into account

the children's needs would be important to me (because I have a child of my own)

Answer 7

I would give it to the better employee.

Answer 8

Per corporate policies, I would go by seniority and qualifications.

Answer 9

I would split the hours

Answer 10

The one who is best qualified