Should I rehire someone I just fired?

Question

I fired an employee (my daughter's sitter) yesterday for insubordination. She called me this morning all apologetic, but still was defiant over the phone. Her husband has called to talk to me and agrees with me that she needs a serious attitude adjustment. Before I fired her yesterday, she brought up a black-white race issue with me. That really hurt bad.

On one hand, she's an excellent CNA sitter with my daughter. On the other hand, she totally disrespected me and I just can't get past the disrespect I saw yesterday and the racial indication that was brought up in the conversation.

My husband said we need to think about it for a week, but should I even reconsider her working for me?

Thanks for your input.

Answer 1

you are leaving your daughter with someone whos values and way of reasoning do not reflect your own,she shows disrespect towards an employer,which is never acceptable,she is paid to do a job not comment on anything outside that job such as creed colour or race,her personal input does not matter.you say she is good with her but when you are not there do you know what values and ideas she is instilling in your daughter? if you want your daughter cared for by someone who is basically your stand in,with your ideas,values,reasoning and respect you must choose someone with these qualities not someone who shows they are lacking.you cannot be there i am sure but you cannot complain if one day your daughter says something which goes against all you consider right and good for your family.children learn quickly and they learn wrong just as easily as right.

Answer 2

I was in that exact same situation once myself! I understand what you are feeling. I did give my sitter and friend a second chance. Things were good for a while, but did digress over time. The second time I felt I needed to make a change was much more difficult than the first. It got pretty ugly and I lost a very good friend. My advise would be to evaluate the relationship you have with this person. If you don't feel that your sitter will change her attitude, or if you see disrespectful attitudes in your daughter, then you may want to stick to your guns and hire a new sitter. Remember that your daughter will mimick what she sees and that you need to do what is best for your daughter. I hope this helps you. I know how painful this situation can be.

Answer 3

No! It sounds like you had a good reason to fire her. The fact that she is a CNA and a good sitter is not reason enough to hire her back. I know it is hard to find good people to care for your children, but it is possible.

If she was still defiant when she called to apologize, she is not sincere in her apology.

Since she brought up a racial issue, you may have a sticky situation on your hands and may want to call a lawyer for advice as far as that.

Also, with the racial issue being brought up, you may not even WANT her around your kids anymore. That may become her focus now.

Good luck finding someone to replace her!

Answer 4

No, there are a lot of other great sitters out there for your daughter. You shouldn't rehire her. The whole black-white race issue is some excuse for her to use you. Find another sitter-- one that won't disrespect you like that. It's ridiculous for her to bring that out since you clearly aren't a racist.

Answer 5

First of all i wouldnt want a person like that in my house, you are the one paying her so that means you are the boss....
you should be respected.. you and your husband...
I mean if you need a sitter really fast call an agency or ask around and do interviews... b/c if she hurt you once she will probably do it again b/c she was strong of her opinion by the way you are telling us...
Good luck with everything!
I just think you shouldnt tolerate it, especially in your home and you are the one who pays her to work for you!

Answer 6

I guess it would depend on what type of insubordination. If she was undermining your authority with your daughter do not rehire her. Do you really want your daughter's baby sitter to be telling her it's okay to do the things you tell her not to? Give yourself some time to cool down before you make a permanent decision, but if it were me I don't think that I would rehire her based on the information you have given.

Answer 7

Why would you even consider it? She apologized, which is fine and good, but she still did whatever it was that made you fire her in the first place.

Bringing up a black/white issue is a tool that she is using to get her way and act how she pleases which is unacceptable to you.

I imagine you just want to have a good employee who is good for your family no matter what color or nationality they are... And I hope you will take the black/white comment as another direct insult from her.

Answer 8

No, I personally don't think you should rehire her. if she doesn't respect you, she probably don't really respect your daugther either and her safety is more important than all of her apologies. Accept the apology but don't get her to work with you anymore.
I assume you are African-American and I gotta say I know what it is to be discriminated for your race because I'm hispanic, I don't live in the U.S though but I know what it's like and I think it's stupid, we are all people. Find someone who is more respectfull and who doesn't mind the color of the skin.

Happy new year!!!.

Answer 9

I've been management most of my life. In that time I have hired and fired many people. To date, there is not one case where I would consider re-hiring somebody I fired. In the case you describe it would be an especially bad decision because of her attitude. Find another employee that doesn't have an attitude problem.

Answer 10

You probally will always be on pins and needles with her, if you take her back, tensions will remain, and you might never feel comfortable with that relationship again, I don't know what the racial thing was about, but it seems that some people tend to always use that excuse, when they are let go from a job..