Project Thirteen

This client hired the husband of a family friend to work in an off-site location to assist with expansion of the business and customer service in a location about 1500 miles from the company's home office. The employee was unable to grow the business and his performance level was unacceptable to the client. The client had spoken to the employee several times about the situation. The client became concerned because her friendship with the employee's spouse often put her in social situations with this employee.

The client initially wanted to terminate the employee by firing him for non-performance of his duties and responsibilities. During telephone conversations, the client and the employee discussed the client's expectations and the employee was aware of the client's position. There was little documentation of any conversations this client had with the employee in question.

The client faced two problems: the negative ramification of having to fire the employee and the impact on the relationship between the client and the employee's spouse.

After assessing the facts, Northeast HR for Hire suggested that the client would be legally correct to dismiss the employee since the growth of the business had not occurred as anticipated. His position would be eliminated because of the lack of viable business in that region of the country, which would allow for the severing of the employment relationship while keeping the social relationship intact.

Resolution:

The employer was aware that she had to terminate a non-performing employee yet she did not want her personal relationship with the employee's spouse to be adversely affected. Northeast HR for Hire was able to diffuse the situation by analyzing the reasons why the employee was not productive. Since the business was not doing well in his territory, it was logical to eliminate the position, thereby lessening the emotional impact of his dismissal. The employee was given a clear understanding of why he was being terminated and the client was relieved of the cost of retaining a non-performing employee/division.

Two months later, the client called us to once again thank Northeast HR for Hire for the advice saying, "I really appreciate the advisement. It has proved to be the best thing for all parties. It has helped me maintain a valued friendship and the business has benefited from the cost and business savings."