Will this drastic action stop my employee from leaving work early all the time?

Question

I have an employee that is a very good worker, however, she skips out of work early the majority of the time when she thinks that I won't notice.

I have spoken to her about this already a few times, but it does not stop her from doing it. I have ways to track her when I'm not there if she's leaving early.

Since I am paying out of my pocket for her salary, I would think she would have some respect and listen to me. I really don't want to fire her since she is the best employee (which I praise her) I've had so far aside from this frequent leaving an hour early habit.

My idea is to grab her car keys while she is in the restroom (she leaves them right in the open on her desk), run out to her car and take my car club lock and place it on her steering wheel, with a note that says, please work your full hours, come back inside.

Then, when it is time for her to leave, I'll walk out with her and unlock the club from her car.

Do you think this will knock some sense into her?

Answer 1

i dont believe you but it's funny

Answer 2

I don't believe this would be legal. I don't know what specific laws you would be breaking (stealing? breaking and entering?), but I think it's a bad idea.

You could ask her why she leaves work early. Maybe you could work something out, like her coming in earlier, or instead of taking a break (or she could take a shorter break, whatever), she could "use" that time to leave early.

You could implement a time card system where she would have to punch out, or if she uses a computer, I'm sure there's a way to find out when she signs out. You could use this information to confront her about the problem, if she denies it.

You say you pay her salary, you could tell her that if she does not stop leaving early, then you will start paying her an hourly wage, and will keep strict track of how long she works, and only pay her for the time she's actually working.

There are a lot of ways you could address this problem, but breaking into her car and holding her car hostage is not the best way to do it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

While I can understand your frustration... I think you're bordering on criminal actions with the suggestions you've made.

If the woman WANTS to leave, she's legally allowed to do so. You can't physically stop her and you have no business trying to do so.

However, I see a couple of issues here that give me pause. You say that you're paying out of pocket for her "salary." That's vastly different than paying someone by the hour.

Although it's rarely viewed this way, if you think about it -- the whole point of salary, rather than paying someone by the hour, is to encourage someone to finish the work faster.

If she's leaving before she's finished with the things you've left for her to do, that's one thing. If she'd already met those requirements, what difference does it really make if she's sitting at her desk for an extra hour? You say that she's your best employee, which makes me think that it's entirely possible she's still getting all her work done, even if she's not hanging out as long as you think she should.

Frankly, I'm not inclined to piss off my best employees unless they stop being my best employees.

If she's not getting her work done, then THAT's the big picture issue here. Don't miss the forest for the trees.

Answer 4

Her car is her property and she could have you arrested for violating her vehicle. I would not even consider that action. I would however suspend her without pay for every hour that she misses next week. I would take away another hour of work and pay. When she finds that her paycheck is light she will feel the pinch and respond accordingly. Also time clocks are not that difficult or costly to obtain get one and put it in place. Make sure that everyone uses it. It will be a huge asset to whoever writes your checks. I might add that no matter how much you like her work she is undermining your authority with her coworkers. Unless you want everyone to follow her lead you need to be willing to let her go. There are other competent employees who would be willing to show up on time and stay until their job is finished.

Answer 5

It might work, but it might also make her resent your authority and accuse you of vandalism or theft. People who leave early or don't choose to respect you enough to stay have some kind of issues. Some just try to see if they can get away with it.

Has she a real reason for leaving an hour early? Like kids home alone? Ask her why? Would she be willing to come in an hour earlier to make up the difference?

Docking her pay for not filling up the time agreed upon for her salary would be more efficient. Bonuses for working longer or doing what you want can also be more efficient and less aggravating to you both. Make them contingent on her being there for the required time.

Answer 6

It seems that this employee doesn't care about your concern. She even doesn't fear you simply because she knows that you appreciate her so much and maybe you have a tolerant personaity. But still, she is impudent and naive. I can solve this problem in 2 ways. First: All you have to do is to ask her to bring you any kind of reports everyday at the end of the working hours so she will be waiting till the end of the day to bring you this stuff you asked her for. Second: Try to make a Time-Leaving-Sheet where everybody sign before he leaves. It is better to make that sheet through the network so anyone wants to leave he has to notify you through the network. Last thing, try to be more strict in your management style. There are thousdands of smart employees out there. You should stop emotionaly love this emplyee! unless you are both lisbians :)

Answer 7

tread carefully. I've run a construction crew for years and often find this is a huge problem. If I leave, work stops. Is she really such a good employee to be worth this? Start docking hours first maybe to show you are serious. If she is leaving to meet a guy or some other time commitment maybe she can start earlier to make a full day. I've fired a few good people as you get sick of games every day for a few productive hours. good luck

Answer 8

You don't say what state you are in, however most states are "at will employment" states. That means that either the employee or the employer can terminate employment at any time for any reason.

From an employer's perspective, this means you can terminal employment for cause, or for no cause at all. If you choose to terminat for cause, you must give the employee the opportunity to correct whatever the deficiency is. You do this by counseling the employee at least three times. Each time you council her you need to have her sign a statement that she has been counciled, and the reason for counseling. Those statements are maintained in her HR file.

If the counseling sessions do not bring the desired result you may terminate her employment without fear of repercussion.

The reason you give for termination will determine whether or not the employee can draw unemployment benefits. If she is terminated for cause she most likely will not be eligible for benefits. If termination is for no cause she should be eligible for benefits.

Answer 9

No, she could get the police onto you for that. I don't know where you live but presumably you must have employment laws. In the UK you have to give a verbal warning, then a written warning, then you can fire her. She obviously knows you don't want to fire her and is calling your bluff (or taking the p1ss, to be more blunt). I wouldn't put up with this - she is effectively stealing your money. Find out what the law is, follow it to the letter, and if she lets things go that far, sack her. She won't find it easy to get another job afterwards and the chances are she will come to heel and start treating you with the respect you deserve. Good luck!

Answer 10

I think you would be looking at a major law suite. You cannot do things like that, it may be termed false imprisonment.

I would either fire her, cut her back to part time or contact an attorney before doing anything like that.

If you would like some information on how to contact an attorney at a very low cost...visit this site.

http://www.prepaidlegal.com/biz/dodge01


Good luck with the employee!
(they are the reason I got out of having them!)
James D

Answer 11

I was in a situation just like this and I know you probably dont want to hear it but You should let her go, I did the opposite and kept giving her the benefit of the doubt and it came back REALLY bad for me and I was eventually fired because of her indiscretions and laziness. She took advantage of my kind nature so it definitely came back to bite me.