[Lesley J]

I have a part time administrator in my office 9-12-30 Mon - Friday, this enables me to get out of the office to deal with cleaners problems, visit clients etc also to keep on top of all paper work etc. this lady works well although she does have small children and does take the odd day off sickness etc. Last year school hols time she phoned on the last day of term time to say sorry cant come in for the next 6 weeks I have no child care. I was not amused and told her so, and coped, I have said over and over that I expect her to sort out child care, and reminded her again that I dont want her to take all school holidays off,she has taken 10 days holidays
and was expected to return to work on Monday next week, she left a message yesterday to say she wont be back until 11 Sept. no child care again. I have contacted her to say this is not on, she says she cannot afford child care its not worth her while to pay out for care, what would you do? ACAS say I cannot sack her
I should give her a warning, what would that achieve?

[Mr BSF]

Hi Keybrite,

Although I cannot make assumptions the gut feeling from your post is that if it was my employee, she would now be on a final written warning or up the road rather than boring you to death with the ins and outs of parental leave, heres a good link:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/Parents/Employment/EmploymentArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10029416&chk=l73N%2B3

regards

BSF

[brookie12]

if shes good at what she is doing for you yhen keep her mybe get her a laptop and she could work from her own house over school hollidays if on the other hand she is not that good then get rid and and start to look for some one with no kids..

all the best

matt.

[keith b]

Keybrite,

Im wondering if a office service from a company called `Kendallbell` might be a better set-up for you.
Go to: www.kbvo.co.uk

[Lesley J]

thanks for the advice, I have spoken to her and told her how I feel, she has agreed to come in for 2 days a week, better than nothing I suppose and I will be giving her a written warning. sometimes I hate being the boss.  Lesley

[richyvezy]

It's a tricky one as you are caught between trusting her and knowing that she knows what she's doing etc and feeling let down by her at the same time.
You have to decide whether you try and work with her to suit both of you or have the hassle of looking for the RIGHT person again and re-train them and so the cycle continues.

Richy

[need a cleaner]

i actualy agree with a sugestion given above

if shes good at what she is doing for you yhen keep her mybe get her a laptop and she could work from her own house over school hollidays

that way you would still get the job done by some1 you trust and  know its capable,and she could do the work without having to leave the children, off course that that would be subject to some rules and targets so you could be sure that she was doing what she was paid for ,maybe coming in 1 or 2 days a week to present the work.

[Lesley J]

I agree with you I dont want to take the time and hassle to train someone else, she is good at what she does, she gets on weel with the clients and staff, I just wish she would sort out the child care problem, she says they are too expensive and it would cost her more than her earnings. Lesley

[need a cleaner]

in that case the option given above should be the way to go, give her a laptop and reach an agreement about weekly targets/results

[dustycorner]

I'm sorry i disagree with girl thingy footing with this employee. When you took her on she knew her hours of employment, her childcare arrangements are her responsibility not yours. Even though she has rung you to let you know she won't be in this qualifies has unauthorised absence. Since when does an employee tell the boss when he/she will work it beggars belief. If you accomodate this lady with a laptop to work at home during schools holidays whats to stop her decing she cant get childcare anymore and demanding to work from home full time.

Cheers Mark.

[dustdees]

Hi Dusty,

I agree with you totally!!
The womans an adult. she wanted the job, she knew that it would involve the need for childcare, even if it didn't befire she started!!
Who does this woman think she is, her behaviour is appaulling!!!
If you went into an organisation(i.e say . prudential) do really think that they would take that sort of behavoiur? NO WAY!!!

If I was put in that situation, I think I would employ some else part-time to job share, then once she's fully trained and competant, the make in roads to get rid!

If you give her a laptop would you get it back,would the kids break it.There's obvuiuosly going to be some sort of atmosphere between you because of the written warning!!

I reckon she won't be with you much longer if you start to get tougher,(And you really need to!). You wouldn't be able tp plan far ahead enough if she carries onlike that.

If any of my staff phoned me up and said that sort of thing to me then I would be disgusted with them , and to be honest, they would know that just not acceptable.

I think you need to be more assertive, you staff will respect you in the long run!!!

[ducky]

she would get tax credits they pay pay for 70% of child care.they do up her in scotland.

[Lesley J]

I have done a diciplinary interview with this woman and have employed another part timer, original lady feels put out and feels threatened, tough. we will see what happens in September when she returns to work, Lesley J

[dustycorner]

Good for you lesley, bet she doesn't bring her childcare problems to work again .

Cheers Mark.