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

Takeaway_Addict

Potbellypig wrote: »

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

Just as well she was....

Brynsam

What a lot of fuss about nothing. Ignore it and focus on how well she's doing her job and settling in.

MothballsWallet

Fen1 wrote: »

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.)

I'm not sure if many employers or agencies would accept a handwritten letter, even if it's done using incredibly neat calligraphy.

shortcrust wrote: »

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?

Why would you have hired them if you thought they weren't going to stick around?

It's up to an employer's HR process to pick stuff like this up before making offers.

Paul_DNAP

Leave it alone, it's her confidential personal information, and unless you have a complete ban on any personal use of company computers then there's nothing you can do. Maybe issue a bulletin reminding your people of the company policy on the amount/type of personal use they can do.


And yeah, maybe she hasn't given the role a chance, but maybe she's only in that role to put bread on the table while she finds something she's better suited to or something that fits in her chosen career or her dream vocation - either way it's none of your business until she puts an official notice of resignation on your desk.

PookyW

It sounds like a bad hire - sometimes unemployed people just need a job as a stop gap until they find something better. Disappointing that they haven't given the job a chance but I would second the view that an open and honest conversation is the way to go. Otherwise, you're wasting your time training her.

Takeaway_Addict

Paul_DNAP wrote: »

Leave it alone, it's her confidential personal information, and unless you have a complete ban on any personal use of company computers then there's nothing you can do. Maybe issue a bulletin reminding your people of the company policy on the amount/type of personal use they can do.


And yeah, maybe she hasn't given the role a chance, but maybe she's only in that role to put bread on the table while she finds something she's better suited to or something that fits in her chosen career or her dream vocation - either way it's none of your business until she puts an official notice of resignation on your desk.

Wrong on both accounts.


1) the employer can simply dismiss as the member of staff has been there less than 2 years
2) it is the employers business if they're going to waste time training someone up that they know is looking to leave.


As has been said a frank discussion is needed

Marcon

Instead of asking what you should do, why not consider what outcome you are looking for? You sound as if you are miffed because she is being 'cheeky' by using an office computer to apply (possibly) for another job. That's no big deal - but the fact someone you are line managing may already be hacked off with her new job is a much bigger issue.

Do you want to keep her? If so, what's the most likely way to succeed in doing that? Only you can know that.

Aren't bothered if she goes? Then do nothing and she'll soon find her own way out, by the sound of things.

Masomnia

Personally I'd get rid.

Masomnia

Planet_Switzerland wrote: »

I'm surprised to see how many pro-employer responses there are on here.

Are you new to this board? It's extremely pro-employer.

Honestly though in OP's position I would be looking to exit the person. How quickly I'd go about that depends on how easy they would be to replace. Ultimately employers invest a lot of time and money in recruiting and training people to do a role, if they're fairly new to it and they're already looking to move on then it's a bit pointless carrying on.

robatwork

Masomnia wrote: »

Are you new to this board? It's extremely pro-employer.

Actually the reason this particular forum amongst the myriad MSE boards is one of the best is precisely because it is so even handed.

Many forums out there are full of union agitators and entitled employees, whereas this one has a healthy mixture of the above, and employers. Sadly we're now light one ex-union rep who gave some incredibly valuable advice.

At best this person showed huge misjudgment to be writing this letter at work on a work PC. More likely - doesn't care or is stupid.

Either way I'd organise a meeting, discuss and get rid (bad judgement or stupid isn't what you need). I'm sure you can find someone who wants to be there. You also need to consider the reason she wants to leave could be yourself.