Got this by e-mail — can we give her some help?
Hi Divas! I need some advice. I am the manager and part owner of a company founded and owned by my father. There is an employee who seems to have a problem with me. She has accused me of sabotaging her computer, thrown paperwork on my desk etc. I sent her home one day for this action, and since that time she does not speak, which doesn’t bother me. Whenever someone calls the office and I am on another line, she will not tell me I have a call holding. Once upon a time she would write notes and give them to my father, but he stopped accepting her notes. I consider it funny, that a grown woman, a grandmother, could be so childish. Many people have advised me that it is jealousy. She has stated before that she doesn’t have to work there, she can get a job, and she will not work where she isn’t happy. However, contrary to all of her talk, she is still there two years later.
I tried saying something to my father, but he tries to defend the stupid ways. She has even gone as far as telling other employees that I sabotaged her computer, then she grins in the other employees’ faces and goes back and complains about them to my father. It is what was known as children as “two-faced.”
Tell me what do I do. I am at my wits end, and I really want her to leave. I am fed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Responses to “Problem employee: What to do?”
December 10th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
It depends on the essential skills that the problem employee brings to the company. If she is an essential employee, maybe she can resolve her differences with you in a conference, as described. If she is a underachieving employee, why would you as a part-owner be hesitant to let her go?
December 14th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
The problem, from where I sit, would appear to be your father. Does he think you are lying about the things this woman does? Does he think it’s appropriate for an employee not to do her job because of problems with another employee? Is he afraid to stick up for you because you’re his daughter and he doesn’t want to appear to be playing favorites? If everything you’re saying is true, this woman would long ago have been fired from any other job for her behavior.
I think you need to meet with your father again. It seems to me that the miniumum you can expect from someone you pay good money is for her to actually speak to you and do her job, which includes giving you your messages. At no point should anyone be required to put up with someone throwing things in the workplace. If your father won’t enforce basic rules of courtesy and decency for all his employees, including you, maybe it’s time to seek other employment.
It’s all well and good to say that you should meet with her and your father, but I’ve never known a toxic personality like this to improve. She will just go underground with her attacks. She needs to be fired.
One caveat: first examine your own heart and your own workplace behavior. I don’t know you, but is there anything you have done that is causing her to act like this? Are you widely known as someone who’s impossible to get along with? Be honest with yourself. If the answer truly is that you’ve done the best you could and she seems to be unable to deal with working for the boss’s daughter, then let her have it. Greet her politely in the morning; if she doesn’t respond, send her home. Every single day, until she quits or your father gets a clue.
January 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Her behavior is outrageous. You say you have sent her home on two occasions, so you have some authority in personnel decisions. Do you have the authority to fire her? Because if you do, that’s what needs to be done. If she “doesn’t need the job” and could “get a job anywhere” then let her have at it.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:50 am
BE THE BIGGER iDIVA (and person)
I would first meet with your father to plan a meeting for the three of you. Then, with your father present, talk to the woman, and remind her that both of you are adults, and should handle any disagreements accordingly. Ask her what you can do make your work relationship better, and then offer her some constructive criticism on how she can make your work relationship better. You two may not be friends, but you can be civil in the workplace. It is the only professional way to resolve your differences.