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

jonnygee2

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.

Speak with her, but ask her first what happened. Just be direct and state what you saw, e.g. 'I saw your screen and it looked like you had a covering letter for another role open', but don't leap to assumption like 'I think you might be unhappy here', or even 'I know you are applying for other jobs'

There may be different explanations, e.g. reviewing an old version of her covering letter before sending to a friend for advice. Or, maybe, she thinks she is performing poorly and won't make it through probation so is looking for options? Or her dream role came up somewhere, a huge long shot for her but worth an application, probably no chance etc (we all have one of those come up occasionally right?)

Always gather facts before taking actions! Assumptions are so often misplaced, and can make people defensive or feel accused.

shortcrust

It’s not quite the same situation but we once let a new starter go because he was overheard arranging an interview for a job elsewhere in his second week. I didn’t have much sympathy.

lincroft1710

shortcrust wrote: »

It’s not quite the same situation but we once let a new starter go because he was overheard arranging an interview for a job elsewhere in his second week. I didn’t have much sympathy.

I think there would be quite a few employers who would take this course of action.

Cat_Loving_Lady

I cant see the problem I do it all the time because I hate my job and my employees take advantage of all their staff so I think hey they deserve to lose their staff. Perhaps shes unhappy already.

[Deleted User]

lincroft1710 wrote: »

I think there would be quite a few employers who would take this course of action.

Only if fully staffed, it is different when you can't get staff to want to work for you. I'm leaving a place that mathematically never had enough staff to cover it's weekly number of shifts.

Half way through notice period, today, I'm spoken to about 'upsetting the office staff' when in actual fact it's been other way round last 5 months - so I have a solution for them. But alas when you need someone to cover your holiday/sick days/work 8 days straight when poor rota skills demand it then you need someone to work their full notice.

OP - you are observant - I've worked somewhere that didn't even notice in 3 months I'd lost 2 stone. And do wish someone had forced me to be honest sooner.

Fen1

Look at it this way: if she's daft enough to write a covering letter on her work PC, is she really someone you want to employ? What other numpty things is she doing?

( I know that not everyone has access to s computer or printer, but it is entirely feasible to send a handwritten letter.)

Marvel1

Was she on lunch?

Yes - her time and the sites are not !!!!!! etc, can do so.

No - should not be during work hours.

shortcrust

Some people clearly live in a different world to me.

Yes, of course people apply for jobs when they’re in employment, but to apply for one on a work computer in a public space in a new job is just plain stupid. And it certainly is the employer’s business. Recruitment, induction and training are expensive and any employer would be justified in cutting their loses. Why would you continue to invest time and money in someone who’s not going to stick around?

Potbellypig

Pancakesss wrote: »

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.

If you weren't being so nosey, you'd never have known.

Takeaway_Addict

Cat_Loving_Lady wrote: »

I cant see the problem I do it all the time because I hate my job and my employees take advantage of all their staff so I think hey they deserve to lose their staff. Perhaps shes unhappy already.

And thats why you probably won't progress very far...