What to do if employee is looking for new job during work

Pancakesss

Hi,
Please can I have some advice? This lunchtime I saw a newly joined colleague (I am her line manager) writing a cover letter to apply for another role. She does not know I saw this.

What is the best approach to handle this? She is still new (here for 7 weeks) and I really feel that she hasn’t given the role a change yet. Regardless of this, I’m more concerned that she is using the work computer during work house to essentially get a new role elsewhere which is very cheeky!

many thanks

jackandcoke

You say you her doing it at lunchtime but then say you're concerned about doing it during working hours? I'd say bring it up if it was during working hours (not at lunch or break time).

Pancakesss

Hi, sorry, to clarify, we are on different lunch hours. I came back early from lunch (she probably didn't expect it) and had the document open on her computer whilst she was making a coffee. Her seat is against the wall so only I will see if, being next to her computer screen.

ReadingTim

I don't see it's that different from, say, using a work computer to surf internet forums on popular money saving websites for example...

Pancakesss

I am asking for some advice here, hence on here. It is fine to use the internet, just applying for another role seems a bit cheeky.

ohreally

Pancakesss wrote: »

She is still new (here for 7 weeks) and I really feel that she hasn’t given the role a change yet.

She may feel that she has or that the job is a poor fit for her or that it's not worthwhile her investing in it, whatever she's decided the jobs not for her. Either talk to her about how the situation can improve or await reference requests to come in.

stingey

Have a catch up meeting and ask her outright if she's happy here.

If she says No: then say you appreciate her honesty, but you would rather she didn't look for alternative employment during working hours as she still has a contract to fulfill.
If she says Yes: Then ask her why she's looking for other employment during working hours.

Leave the ball in her court, she's the one with a responsibility to do her job. It may be a case the role hasn't turned out as she thought it might.

Pancakesss

Thank you, Stingey and ohreally

getmore4less

Report it to your boss

What does the policy say about using work resources for persona use

steampowered

As she seems to be thinking of leaving already, there is not much point taking this further.

Personally I would ignore it.

The more important thing is whether she is getting her work done.

Personally I am fine with people using work time to do non-related things if they are efficient and gets their work done promptly. This is much better than someone who does their work slowly or poorly.

OscarFoxtrot

Pancakesss wrote: »

Hi,
Please can I have some advice? This lunchtime I saw a newly joined colleague (I am her line manager) writing a cover letter to apply for another role. She does not know I saw this.

What is the best approach to handle this? She is still new (here for 7 weeks) and I really feel that she hasn’t given the role a change yet. Regardless of this, I’m more concerned that she is using the work computer during work house to essentially get a new role elsewhere which is very cheeky!

many thanks

Just curious how you're a line manager but cant seem to handle a simple question like this?


The way you deal with this is simple.


"Hi X, I noticed you were writing a covering letter earlier, I'm sorry you feel the role isn't working out. Is there anything I can do to help you? Also please can you do applications in your own time. Thanks"