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

Takeaway_Addict

Planet_Switzerland wrote: »

I'm surprised to see how many pro-employer responses there are on here. In my working life I've experienced the following:


I did a data entry job that was supposed to last the whole summer when I was a student. 3 weeks later they tell me I've entered all the data so they didn't need me anymore.


2 weeks into a 3 month temp position I gave advanced warning to my line manager that I had a dentist appointment in a few weeks time so needed time off to go to that, line manager said ok but they want somebody to be committed to the job. That evening I get a call from the agency telling me I'd been laid off.


Another temp job, a week into it they tell me I've done a great job so far and would like to offer me a permanent position after 3 months temping through the agency. 2 months later they fall out with the agency and lay off all the temps.


I started a newly created permanent job, 4 weeks later they tell me now the setup work is done there isn't really any work left to do so my time there came to an end.


Me and one other person started a 6 month temporary role, one was covering maternity leave and the other would turn into a permanent role which would be one of us. During that time the manager changed who decided not to keep either of us after the 6 months.


That's not to mention things I've witnessed happen to other people.


Maybe there are a handful of employers who genuinely care about there employees, but most don't. Therefore why should an employee care about there employer particularly when they're the ones who need to keep a roof over their head.

No one has said the employee shouldn't be looking after themselves first, thats common sense.

However the employer should also look after themselves- if they find an employee newly hired doing as described then you do have to question their competancy and ultimately as said have a frank discussion with the view that unless their reasoning is very good the investment in that employee would be better suited elsewhere.

Takeaway_Addict

Masomnia wrote: »

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

I disagree- its pretty balance between employees, employers and union officials etc.


Kinda why it works on the whole well.

crackerberry

Pancakesss wrote: »

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.

So you didn't actually see her writing it? For all you know it could be the covering letter she used to apply for her current job she was looking over again.

If anything I'd be concerned she left her PC unattended and there appears to be no policy in place for that!

Takeaway_Addict

Planet_Switzerland wrote: »

If they're doing a decent enough job though it shouldn't matter.


Going back to my own experience, when I handed my notice in at the place I worked before my first "career job", my manager told me she knew that I wouldn't be working there too long given my qualifications, but hired me because she figured I'd do a good job whilst I was there and that's what mattered.

I disagree- no point investing in further training if they're going to leave within the next week or two.

Energize

Yeah if I knew someone young and qualified wanted to leave I'd understand and wish them the best but wouldn't invest any further company resources in them.

nicechap

Planet_Switzerland wrote: »

I'm surprised to see how many pro-employer responses there are on here. In my working life I've experienced the following:

.......

I suspect it is more a reflection that the law is pro-employer.

Contributors give their advice based on what they've experienced themselves, generally with the aim of keeping the OPs employed. People naturally differ in what they believe to be the best course of action.

20aday

I'm not a manager myself, although I hope to be some day, but I've known of people I've worked with to take telephone calls, during working hours, to organise an interview.

In your position I would sit down with the person in question and ask them how they are feeling in the role etc. If they've only been there seven weeks and are looking for another job it could be that they don't feel it's working out, or the job which they may/may not get might offer them better prospects etc.

If they turn around and say that they don't feel it's working out for them and you somehow get them to consider it for a bit longer then me, personally, I would give them a one to one, once a week, and see if there's any improvement.

In terms of using a workplace computer to actively seek other means of employment, yes, it's cheeky and it might be a good idea to put out a memo informing colleagues it's against company policy?

Housebuy12345

Bring it up at your next one to one?

Paul_DNAP

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

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

1) I suppose that's a fair point.


2) Such is the risk of employing people - anyone can leave at anytime taking all their skills and knowledge and training with them.

TELLIT01

Planet_Switzerland wrote: »

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

It's not a case of being pro employer or pro employee. Generally people try to give answers based on reality, not what would happen in an ideal world.

Anybody using company equipment and time for their own purposes, without permission of the employer, is putting their job at risk.