Do I fire this employee?

Question

I am self employed and have recently hired an office assistant. This person has worked well in the position and the hours are flexible. Lately I have seen my assistant not coming in or calling me back. The last instant was for this person to start at 9:00 AM and did not bother showing up or calling, sent an e-mail an hour and half later.... and after kept pushing the days when I would them come in again. I believe I am being taken advantage of? Should I get rid of this person even though they do a good job when they actually do show up?

Answer 1

I think it is very important, and professional, to keep in good communications with your employer.
No call no shows is absolutely unprofessional.
A good worker is a good worker, but not if they don't have the decency to show up for a job that you are paying them to do.
No shows because of family emergencies is acceptable, or tardiness because of an actual reason, but no calls no shows are just disrespectful. Uncontrollable things happen in life, but you deserved a phone call.
I'd love to have an employer as caring as you sound. But don't be pushed around.. it's your business!

Answer 2

If this person where at any other job he/she would have been verbally warned all ready, then on the second offence probably been fired. So unless YOU can work around THEIR schedule (even though you are the boss) I would say it is time for he/ she to go. Also I'm not sure what the unemployment is like where you are, but around here there are responsible people who would love to have a job that is flexible and steady.

Answer 3

I would give a written warning first (save your butt) and have your assistant sign it. State on the warning what is expected for that job and its description. On the written warning I would state 1st is a written warning, 2nd is grounds for dismissal( written order of discharge from employment, service, enrollment, etc). The best way, even though it a pain, is to have an employee hand book so they can read and sign.

Tell her you need an assistant or your would not have hired her.
Remember they are representing your company.

Most places would not tolerate this behavior. Yes you are being taken advantage of. Even thought they may do a good job, isn't attendance important too? and isn't attendance apart of the job description?
Good luck to you..

Answer 4

I own a small business too. I don't have help like that but I have had a number of people work under me. It seems to me that you have to put your foot down and show your authority. This person works for you and not the other way around. I've had people start making up their own times to work and to me that doesn't fly. My open hours of business has been in place for ten years and they know it. You need to sit your helper down and explain to them that it's your business and it's to be run the way you have designed it to run and if they are unwilling to go by your rules then they need to find another job. Don't let him make you think that you can't run the business without him. I had to fire one guy because he wanted to leave when he felt like it. He also stole from the business. When you run a small business, people tend to think they are everything to the business and you can't run it without them.

Give him another chance but tell him he has to shape up or ship out.

Answer 5

jeb
it seems you are, contradicting yourself.


first you state that the hours are flexible.

which means usually low pay, and not specifc hours.
from a asst point of view, i would have my own things i would have schedule,and appts to keep and since i when i made these appts you didn't request my services i would then NOT be obligated to you.

so if you were to call me in for help only when YOU need me, i would find that to be unreliable.

and i think that you are causing your own chaos so any asst you get will have this same confusion.

suggestion,

is she able to access the system remotely, from her home?
give her set hours,
if you pay her/him for her time even when she is not needed she will have to be oncall for you .and make herself available.
( if funding is low you could suggest 1/2 pay for her when you cancel out)

and speak to her about what is going on, tell her you aren't happy and would like to work something out, let her know that finances are tight , she may verywell have an alternate position else where .

*** Very important *** You need to acknowledge her on Holidays,like christmas, and valentines day and Secretaries Day. Flowers , and gift cards. and ball games ect. for guys

email me if you would like more suggestions, and options

Meg
Executive secretary
Senior vice president

Answer 6

Why don't you have regular hours??? "Flexible" just means whenever you need or want the person, right??? That's fine PROVIDED you announce the schedule far enough in advance so there is no question about the scheduled times.

Do you post the hours in advance?

What you need to do is have a set policy on when and how the work schedule is announced. Clearly communicate this to your employee, then follow the policy.

Answer 7

Not yet. You need to give him/her the opportunity to correct the problem. S/he may be having some personal issues that are causing the absence or s/he could think you just don't really care whether or not they show up. I recommend requesting a meeting with this person. State your issues and explain that if something doesn't change, that you will be forced to release him/her for job abandonment. Also, after 30 or 60 days, follow up with the person to either compliment them on the improvement, or then fire them for lack of improvement.

If the person is not receptive to a meeting - fire them.
FYI - I work in HR and deal with this daily - good luck!

Answer 8

As a fellow business owner you need to talk with him and give him a warning. First off you need to tell him or her that they are doing a excellent job when they are actually preforming thier diuties. Then you tell him or her that they are on the verge of being fired and that you dont want to do that. Ask if there is anything going on that you dont know about and if they need some time to work it out. Work with them. There is nothing that is worse then having a good employee go bad especially when you could have done something about it.

Answer 9

Address the issue directly with said employee and establish a probationary period. I only suggest this because you say they do a good job when they show up. Being there on time is a major part of doing a good job.

Answer 10

You should sit them down and see what is causing this lapse in behavior and what can you do to help? If it is just their lack of planning then dismissal is in order if it is a schedule conflict like taking kids to school or some other schedule issue perhaps you can be flexible. If they are otherwise a good worker it would be in your best interest to try to work with them then replace them. Good Luck!