View Full Version : Employees - grrrrrrr
Pah. My book-keeper has just quit at no notice at all. And for no reason other than she thinks she's not up to the job. Wouldn't be talked out of it. It leaves me with a severe headache - how to replace her quickly with someone who (a) can be trusted and (b) knows what they're doing. The role was part time, and whilst you can't say so, was ideal for a mum with kids at school. Now it's school hols so prob no takers.
And only a few weeks ago my assistant quit because he didn't like me insisting that he earn his crust.
Am I really that bad to work with? :evil:
If anyone knows of a book keeper with legal experience, based in S'bury.....
Unfortunately I live too far away to help you out while you find another assistant. :(
Good luck with finding another one soon Ed.
Are you close to any universities? If you get a good student then the part time arrangement could suit them. Perhaps someone doing a legal or accountancy course? We employ a lot of students on a part time basis and in the main it works out well.
Expanding on what Cronos is saying if you do want to give your trust to a student there are Ton's of them in Shrewsbury (and surrounding areas) that are looking for work since they have come back.
Shame none of them I know deal with Accounts / Legal.
I live too far away too Ed PLUS it IS the summer holidays so double sorry! Oh no.. I don't have legal experience! :oops: Triple sorry Ed!! :( :( :(
:wink:
Sorry but I thought I'd make you laugh!!
I do hope you find someone soon Ed and I'm sure you're not THAT bad to work for!! :kiss:
Quiff Wichard
23-07-06, 09:49 PM
I used to be a recruitment consultant ED - ...
try that route- -
decent agencies.. locally- they can have you someone- quick !.. they can spec them- interview them and send you 2 or 3 for a 5 min chat-
give Adecco or similar a call.. make sure that they are REC registered...
they can send someone to you who will get a job spec and you can tell them what you need etc..
yea you will pay a premium rate for the interim and a placement fee if the person is good and u want to take them on b4 3 months is up.! but its a stop gap .. and YOu aint gotta worry about Ni or tax etc- as they are employed by the agency- ..
just a thought ...
actually courdelions lady works for a recruitment agency- a major one- she may have contacts in Shrewsbury-
ArtyLady
23-07-06, 10:28 PM
shouldnt she have given some notice? :?
Although Im an experienced legal secretary, (with couple of minor legal exec qualifications - of which I am quite proud 8) ) - even if was near you - my book-keeping skills are totally naff - I cant even balance my books with a calculator :oops: - sorry :cry:
Hope you find someone soon :)
shouldnt she have given some notice? :?
Although Im an experienced legal secretary, (with couple of minor legal exec qualifications - of which I am quite proud 8) ) - even if was near you - my book-keeping skills are totally naff - I cant even balance my books with a calculator :oops: - sorry :cry:
Hope you find someone soon :)
In my experience notice and employees don't mix. In other words they bugger off and leave you to cope :evil:
Peter Henry
23-07-06, 10:54 PM
Well if that basically adds up to your entire staff Ed,then maybe you should look at your people management skills? Not easy being the boss is it fella? :wink:
Quiff Wichard
23-07-06, 11:33 PM
shouldnt she have given some notice? :?
Although Im an experienced legal secretary, (with couple of minor legal exec qualifications - of which I am quite proud 8) ) - even if was near you - my book-keeping skills are totally naff - I cant even balance my books with a calculator :oops: - sorry :cry:
Hope you find someone soon :)
In my experience notice and employees don't mix. In other words they bugger off and leave you to cope :evil:
you cant take them walking out as giving notice though .! can ya!
it aint summary dismissal
you still have to write to tehm and invite them to a disciplinary hearing and dismiss them in the proper manner... or its a can of worms.. unless she beenthere 6 months and she isnt pregnat just fookher off :wink: :D
Well if that basically adds up to your entire staff Ed,then maybe you should look at your people management skills?
:roll:
timwilky
24-07-06, 07:53 AM
Ed.
Whilst it is a real pain in the backside when somebody does this, Just ask yourself would you really want them there capable of buggering up things big style, simply because they were disgruntled as a result of being forced to work their notice.
I used to have arguments with my HR dept. They would want their pound of flesh, I did not want anyone one site who was capable of screwing things up. This was especially true when the notice was the other way round, ie. redundancy etc.
One small company I do a bit of work for, permits their book keeper to bring her baby into the office. Then again, they never have thier customers visit.
Ed wish i could help but i'm too far away :(
And only a few weeks ago my assistant quit because he didn't like me insisting that he earn his crust.
Am I really that bad to work with? :evil:
If anyone knows of a book keeper with legal experience, based in S'bury.....
See what did i say about working with solicitors and us normal folk :wink: :P
Nahh, put an advert in the local rag. Contact agencies? Put an ebay auction up :lol:
Quiff Wichard
24-07-06, 08:57 AM
Tim's right
I have never let anyone work their notice..
I have paid them full to finish there and then
they can do more damage during their notice period..
northwind
24-07-06, 09:28 AM
Of all the ridiculous situations I've seen in the Bank, the worst are the people they insist work their notice periods. Those guys suddenly develop a talent for sabotage that'd put the french resistance to shame :)
I'd look at a temp agency first of all- OK, we're spoiled in Edinburgh, there's a huge range of skilled staff on agency books, but regardless of location they'd be a good place to start. You might just get someone to fill a gap till you can get someone better, but you might just find the ideal person.
Have called the agency, they have someone who might be OK but no legal experience. Operating a clients account is the most important part - you'd be surprised how many transactions go through it on one resi conveyancing deal.
The issue with Helen was that I currently use Excel spreadies but it's too difficult to manage, and they produce no useful information, so I'm installing a proper accounting system that will do the postings and the reconciliations automatically. She felt she wasn't up to it, and nothing would persuade her otherwise.
It was nothing to do with people management skills.
But peeps you're right, there's no point in forcing someone to be there who doesn't want to be there.
Am I really that bad to work with? :evil:
Possibly ;)
Not good Ed. Try the agencies etc?
Peter Henry
24-07-06, 09:46 AM
Ed wrote:
me insisting that he earn his crust.
Not wishing to have a go at a difficult time for you Ed,but the above to me certainly seems a case of poor management.
Perhaps the requirements could have been outlined in a different way,with your point being made but without you seeming to "insist".
I feel qualified to comment on management as I have in the past attended numerous courses on the subject. It does not normally follow that a person being good at their particular job, naturally makes a good supervisor.
When first arriving here in Spain I worked for a company that had a style of management that went against everything I had been taught and personally believed. To the degree that 8 months later when I was offered my own team to manage, I had to decline and stated the reasons mentioned for doing so. 8)
Ed wrote:
me insisting that he earn his crust.
Not wishing to have a go at a difficult time for you Ed,but the above to me certainly seems a case of poor management.
You think telling someone that the situation is unsustainable if they don't do what they're paid to do is poor management? I call it realism. We can't all tread on eggshells all the time y'know. There's a time when you have to be blunt.
Peter Henry
24-07-06, 10:03 AM
Ed...Well you obviously were not that convinced when you started the thread,otherwise you would not have asked the question? :wink:
As soon as I was signed off work for what looked like was going to be (and still is) a long time I started an accredited Bookkeeping course to become fully qualified.
The potential for an office based job I could do with a wonky knee was needed, and the skills I'd learn were both 'bankable' and helpful with my own part-time selling of leatherwork.
I'd love to be able to help you out, but I'm a bit far away, I've no experience, no legal skills and am only just completeing the manual part of the course! I'm planning to be loading up my software and starting on Sage next month.
So - not really much help to you I'm afraid. Sorry. :(
Ed...Well you obviously were not that convinced when you started the thread,otherwise you would not have asked the question? :wink:
Do they have rhetorical questions in Spain?
Peter Henry
24-07-06, 11:05 AM
Ed...You tell me? :)
Ed...You tell me? :)
Plainly not :lol:
Peter Henry
24-07-06, 11:12 AM
Ed...
It would appear that you are not happy at my replies. Largely because I have not followed the "Oh if only I was a bit nearer" line.
If you feel that there is no call at all for self reflection then fine. I do though,understand fully how being self employed can cause extra stress and cause one to act in a manner that would not normally be the case.
But if you do not believe that has caused either of the two mentioned situations then, perhaps what I am reading in to the situation is not actually there. 8)
northwind
24-07-06, 11:15 AM
Ed wrote:
me insisting that he earn his crust.
Not wishing to have a go at a difficult time for you Ed,but the above to me certainly seems a case of poor management.
Just depends how you read it, doesn't it? I don't think you've got remotely enoguh information on the full situation to comment. You don't know how Ed went about dealing with the problem at all.
Peter Henry
24-07-06, 11:20 AM
Northy...Absolutely correct my friend I totally accept that. In truth I am merely being devil's advocate as sometimes we just need to ponder how we did actually handle a situation, before looking to cast blame on others involved.
My intention has not been to be judgemental of Ed's predicament...but rather to offer an alternative line of thought.
I knooow noffink aye fwom Barthelona. :P
Interesting to read about people working their notice. I'm currently working mine, would love to just be paid and not come in but my manager almost gibbered when I resigned and was more concerned about if I had holiday left as he didn't want me on holiday during my notice period. Why can't I be put on gardening leave? I'm IT, usually we are rushed to door to stop us from doing anything to servers etc!
Northy...Absolutely correct my friend I totally accept that. In truth I am merely being devil's advocate as sometimes we just need to ponder how we did actually handle a situation, before looking to cast blame on others involved.
My intention has not been to be judgemental of Ed's predicament...but rather to offer an alternative line of thought.
But unfortunately, you did come across as judgemental, to say the least. Without knowing anything concerning the situation, you decided to blame Ed for the predicament.
People refusing to work their notice and just refuse to come into work are inexcusable. We've had someone do the same here and consequently over 100 subcontractors aren't getting paid except for someone else in the office is staying until after 9pm trying to ensure the subbies are getting paid. Its not fair for people just to decide not to come into work :evil:
www.thegumtree.com - lots of Antipodeans on there looking for work. We use to pick up all our temps including bookeepers from there. I think they have national gumtrees now so you may get lucky with someone up your way - if not it maybe a stopgap.
Peter Henry
24-07-06, 01:32 PM
to offer an alternative line of thought.
Kate sometimes one has to kiss a few toads before kissing the Princess!
No matter how it may have appeared my thoughts were they were, as mentioned all part of a dastardly scheme.
(wouldn't have been the same if I had not done it in the manner I did.)
Ed understands as we have exchanged pm's. :wink:
Ed understands as we have exchanged pm's. :wink:
Indeed so :)
northwind
24-07-06, 05:51 PM
People refusing to work their notice and just refuse to come into work are inexcusable. We've had someone do the same here and consequently over 100 subcontractors aren't getting paid except for someone else in the office is staying until after 9pm trying to ensure the subbies are getting paid. Its not fair for people just to decide not to come into work :evil:
I suppose that depends on circumstances. If you've got a really pressing reason to quit- and most people do, by the time they throw down and leave, unless it's to go to another job- then that extra 28 days or whatever could be a nightmare for you- especially since usually things go downhill once you've announced you're leaving. Even worse if you've been sacked, I suppose.
Biker Biggles
24-07-06, 08:12 PM
I take it the person staying till 9 gets very well paid for their extra work?After all the employer has just saved a whole person's wages for the notice period.It's those sort of little bonuses that pay for an extra holiday----- :)
ed have you tried Mercia recruitment agency , i'm reliably informed they are pretty good. they deal with mainly office staff.
Daryl.
p.s. if youu want a ride this week you'd better be quick and get in touch as i'm on holiday from sat. :D
ed have you tried Mercia recruitment agency , i'm reliably informed they are pretty good. they deal with mainly office staff.
Daryl.
p.s. if youu want a ride this week you'd better be quick and get in touch as i'm on holiday from sat. :D
I don't think I can - I'm on hols next week also, and I have to squeeze in a trip to Ellesmere Port some time this week. Will call you.
Interesting to read about people working their notice. I'm currently working mine, would love to just be paid and not come in but my manager almost gibbered when I resigned and was more concerned about if I had holiday left as he didn't want me on holiday during my notice period. Why can't I be put on gardening leave? I'm IT, usually we are rushed to door to stop us from doing anything to servers etc!
Yes, i've seen people be told to leave as soon as they hand their notice in. However, it seems when it comes to me (last time anyway), they made me work the full 30days.
Dan
I have a brother who runs his own accountancy firm...however he is located is Witney. It is possible he may have contacts....*shrugs shoulders with palms up lifted* (can't find the right emoticon...gggrrrr!!)
Did you not offer your assistant a training course on the new system? Which one have you installed? If it was Sage then your local college could help
I would also offer to help as I'm trying to set up as a book keeper in my spare (ha ha) time esp when I work at the school with the hols off, but am aiming at sole traders and I have no legal experience.
The two agencies that I have used are AC Selection and Hays, they are both good accountancy agencies, I did find Hays that bit better.
Good Luck
Lou x
Did you not offer your assistant a training course on the new system? Which one have you installed? If it was Sage then your local college could help
I would also offer to help as I'm trying to set up as a book keeper in my spare (ha ha) time esp when I work at the school with the hols off, but am aiming at sole traders and I have no legal experience.
The two agencies that I have used are AC Selection and Hays, they are both good accountancy agencies, I did find Hays that bit better.
Good Luck
Lou x
Yes I did. Part of the problem was that Helen hadn't used a computerised accounts package. Not Sage - it's a specialist legal one, Proclaim, by a Bradford company called Eclipse - I use their case management system so it made sense to buy the bolt on accounting package as it integrates seamlessly.
That's a shame then that she didn't feel confident enough. I'm sure an agency will find you a temp to tie you over.
It's probably best to ask the agency for the temp with possibility to go Perm, you'll then get a temp who'll want to prove themselve in the hope of a perm position at the end of it, they'll work that bit harder then!
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