Bit of help needed!

Gleeful

Hello all

I have managerial responsibility for 7 staff members. One of them has text me this evening asking if she can work 12-8 tomorrow :eek:

Normal hours of work are 9-5 with the exception that one person works 12-8 to cover the 'out of office' hours.

This girl has only been here 3 weeks and is in no way trained up to cover the hours of 5-8, alone. Not to mention that someone is already doing those hours.

What should I do? Ignore her message? Nicely say no? It's already two hours old as I didn't check my phone when I got in from work.I'm not quite sure how to handle this. She's a temp by the way.

The girl has my personal mobile number from when I tried to arrange a social gathering after work one evening, by the way. Have learned now not to give it out!

~Beanie~

I would text back and nicely say no, it is too short notice and another person is already working those hours. Then when you next see her at work, let her know that she shouldn't be texting your personal mobile and needs to ask you personally during work hours.

I think it would be way too short notice and a bit cheeky for a permanent member of staff to ask, never mind a temp who has only worked there for 3 weeks!

tizerbelle

Ring her and tell her no and that you expect to see her at 9am as normal.

Then tomorrow ensure that you remind her that holidays have to be booked in advance during (her) normal office hours and that sending a text is not an appropriate way to book a holiday neither is contacting you on your personal mobile number. I'm assuming you have a no mobiles at work policy so when did she expect you to recieve it. Why does she think its appropriate for you to be dealing with work stuff in your own time.

TBH this could be naivety but its ringing major alarm bells in my head that she is going to be one of those who thinks she can do what she whats and when just because you are a "friend" not a boss.

silkyuk9

Gleeful wrote: »

Hello all

I have managerial responsibility for 7 staff members. One of them has text me this evening asking if she can work 12-8 tomorrow :eek:

Normal hours of work are 9-5 with the exception that one person works 12-8 to cover the 'out of office' hours.

This girl has only been here 3 weeks and is in no way trained up to cover the hours of 5-8, alone. Not to mention that someone is already doing those hours.

What should I do? Ignore her message? Nicely say no? It's already two hours old as I didn't check my phone when I got in from work.I'm not quite sure how to handle this. She's a temp by the way.

The girl has my personal mobile number from when I tried to arrange a social gathering after work one evening, by the way. Have learned now not to give it out!

Sorry to be rude but how did you get a mangers job if you cannot problem solve issues with staff? This issue is nothing in terms with issues that may arise such as sexual harrasment, racial abuse, assault, theft. my god its beggers belief. sorry if you take this the wrong way.

Gleeful

Erm I think that's a bit rude to be honest. So I will ignore you.

Thanks to everyone else for their advice.

gibson123

I also have management responsibility for staff and if one of my staff called me or texted me like this then i would send back a curt.... no and please see me first thing in the morning. I think that when people test the boundaries it is best to be very clear about re-defining them. In the morning I would explain proper protocol, what i expected from staff and why even had I been given adequate notice she would not be qualified to work this shift.

PS there is no such thing as a stupid question and when dealing with people best to ask advice than go wrong

Sambucus_Nigra

Gleeful wrote: »

Erm I think that's a bit rude to be honest. So I will ignore you.

How is it you can say this to a forum poster - but you can't say this to your staff member which you - presumably - recruited?

I agree with Silky - if you have to ask a question about this level of management responsibility [which should be bread and butter to a manager] then it's no wonder your staff text you with issues like these. I think you need to redefine your role, and theirs.

silkyuk9

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

How is it you can say this to a forum poster - but you can't say this to your staff member which you - presumably - recruited?

I agree with Silky - if you have to ask a question about this level of management responsibility [which should be bread and butter to a manager] then it's no wonder your staff text you with issues like these. I think you need to redefine your role, and theirs.

Thanks to be honest I didnt want to put up anything on this thread but it amazes me that managers cannot make decisions with something simple as this. What would this guys reaction be if a member of staff came to him saying. 'My colleague has called be a ..........' or if put on the spot, 'sorry to bother you but such and such has made sexual remarks'

What would you say? 'give me 10 minutes while I consult MSE members'

I can't beleive this thread it has to be a joke right?

Googlewhacker

have to agree with Silky on this one. Gleeful you really knew what the right answer is and if you can you help out but ultimately the running of the company/employees below you is your responsibility.

Explain that she isn't trained enough and that in the future this would have been ok (if it is!) but not quite yet and unfortunately she needs to be in on normal hours.

Gleeful

Well before I replied she sent another!

I was taken aback, hence posting here - noone else to ask for advice. Now I know not to come back here.

silkyuk9

like I said I didnt want to ge tinvolved with this one but it made my blood boil. Managers like this guy cost industry millions each year by making mistakes and cannot deligate and certainly cannot make on the spot decisions. Can you imagine a RBS boss putting on here. ' May I ask for help, an employee text me asking for 1 million pound bonus this year, im not sure if I sohuld give it, what do you think'

god, ive seen some managers over the years some cream off over £500 for for doing double shifts on a sunday when there is no need. I won't sleep tonight!