Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Looking for some advice on how to deal with an employee.

Sample00 · 03-07-2008, 01:32 PM

Hey gang,
I am having some problems with a long time employee. Let me give you some background.

This employee has been with me for about 7 years now. We have a small operation here, only 4 employees.

Our operation has gone through some changes of late, one of which is the selling of the travel agency. A friend of mine and I have opened a used car dealership apart from the other business that we run out of my office. My partner (friend) works out of an office next door to me and we run the dealership out of my office as I have the most space available.

We also provide financing out my office something that we have done for about 8 years now. My employee deals with the clients that require financing. We do loans, 2nd, 3rd mortgages etc.

My employee is a very “set in her ways” kind of lady. Changes are very tough for her to deal with and it has always been a struggle in getting her to take on new challenges. The office is obviously evolving and things are changing. My problem is, is that her attitude towards change is becoming worse. She is getting less pleasant in dealing with clients, changes in the office seem to be met with a huff and a puff, and now the straw…I can’t get her to even answer the phone for the car dealership when it rings. If she does answer it, it’s a mere..”Hello, can you hold?” without waiting for the customer to respond at all.

It’s getting worse and I am getting near the end of my rope. I am about to blow a gasket.
My partner has even commented that he does not want her as a front line person when clients come through the door to inquire about vehicles.

My dilemma is this, talking to her is quite confrontational. I have difficulty in providing constructive criticism because of her confrontational responses. Chances are that I will need her to adjust her working schedule so that it’s more beneficial for the business. I over heard a comment the other day that she made to another employee about being here the longest and not willing to work a Saturday or evening to help out. She feels that she has been here the longest and that it is her right to work the hours she has always worked.
I am at a point of wanting to dismiss her but she has been with me for a long time. Please keep in mind this is a small community and I want to make sure that I do this the right way because if I don’t, that kind of word will get out real fast.

Any thoughts would be appreciated and more information can be required if need be.

03-07-2008, 01:32 PM	#1
Sample00 Sleazy Banker Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cold Lake Alberta Canada Exp:	Looking for some advice on how to deal with an employee. Hey gang, I am having some problems with a long time employee. Let me give you some background. This employee has been with me for about 7 years now. We have a small operation here, only 4 employees. Our operation has gone through some changes of late, one of which is the selling of the travel agency. A friend of mine and I have opened a used car dealership apart from the other business that we run out of my office. My partner (friend) works out of an office next door to me and we run the dealership out of my office as I have the most space available. We also provide financing out my office something that we have done for about 8 years now. My employee deals with the clients that require financing. We do loans, 2nd, 3rd mortgages etc. My employee is a very “set in her ways” kind of lady. Changes are very tough for her to deal with and it has always been a struggle in getting her to take on new challenges. The office is obviously evolving and things are changing. My problem is, is that her attitude towards change is becoming worse. She is getting less pleasant in dealing with clients, changes in the office seem to be met with a huff and a puff, and now the straw…I can’t get her to even answer the phone for the car dealership when it rings. If she does answer it, it’s a mere..”Hello, can you hold?” without waiting for the customer to respond at all. It’s getting worse and I am getting near the end of my rope. I am about to blow a gasket. My partner has even commented that he does not want her as a front line person when clients come through the door to inquire about vehicles. My dilemma is this, talking to her is quite confrontational. I have difficulty in providing constructive criticism because of her confrontational responses. Chances are that I will need her to adjust her working schedule so that it’s more beneficial for the business. I over heard a comment the other day that she made to another employee about being here the longest and not willing to work a Saturday or evening to help out. She feels that she has been here the longest and that it is her right to work the hours she has always worked. I am at a point of wanting to dismiss her but she has been with me for a long time. Please keep in mind this is a small community and I want to make sure that I do this the right way because if I don’t, that kind of word will get out real fast. Any thoughts would be appreciated and more information can be required if need be.