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Assistant Dilema

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Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Assistant Dilema

Ok, so I have a dilema and I need some advise... sorry this might be long...

My current assistant is a 22 year old girl who just graduated froom NYU. She's SUPER smart and picks up on things super fast, but she's lazy and extremely unprofessional.

She's been working for me for 8 weeks now and although we are a pretty laid back office, she's the only one who finds it acceptible to wear camo studded military hats, micro mini skirts and glitter all over her body. Oh, and last week she wore a pair of those victoria secret sweat pants.. you know the ones that say PINK down the side... in LIME GREEN!

She also has the filthiest mouth I've heard in a long time... and I've been known to drop the f bomb every now and then. We communicate through-out my office over AIM, and the girl im's me like she's my best friend. Just the way she talks is inappropriate. For example, she asked me if she could come in my office to show me something, but she spelt come like CUM... honestly.. who does that?!

So today is the kicker... I wake up at 6am to a text message reading "I F*CKING HATE THROWING UP EVERY 5 MINUTES." I had no clue who the text was from. I come into work and said assistant isn't here.. turns out the text was from her. Now.. she was either so drunk that she meant to text someone else, or that was her way of calling in sick today. I called her and left her a vm, not mentioning the text.. just asking where she was and making sure everything was ok. But now what? Is her not showing up grounds for firing? Should this be her warning? How do you tell someone they are professionally inappropriate?

Sorry for the long vent...

Posted 8/18/06 10:27 AM
 
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MrsMerlot
Unconditional Love

Member since 4/06

6005 total posts

Name:
Chrissy

Re: Assistant Dilema

I don't know if it's grounds for firing...but then again in my company you basically have to murder someone to get fired. I would definitely address everything you mentioned in a professional manner and have a complaint filed with Human Resources.

Posted 8/18/06 10:29 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Her breath could also be used as a torture device.. but that's neither here nor there...

Posted 8/18/06 10:30 AM
 

Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A

Member since 7/05

32475 total posts

Name:
Susan

Re: Assistant Dilema

She is an at will employee which means she can be terminated without notice and for almost any reason.

Cite her unprofessional behavior, fire her, then get yourself a new assistant.



Posted 8/18/06 10:30 AM
 

janet
WITH LOVE MY ANGEL MISS YOU!!!

Member since 5/05

12823 total posts

Name:
janet

Re: Assistant Dilema

well i would call her in to the office and talk with her aboiut her actions. and give her a warning, if you say she is as good as you think, then tell her the next time you will have to let her go. i wish you luckChat Icon

Posted 8/18/06 10:31 AM
 

MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Assistant Dilema

I would have a sit down with her and explain to her what the expectations are in the office (dress, language, etc) and advise her on being more professional.

Not to make excuses for her, but she's young and I'm assuming this is her first "real" job, she doesn't know any better. Instead of making it a session of critisism, turn it into a "teaching" lesson.

Posted 8/18/06 10:32 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by ChrissynRicky

I don't know if it's grounds for firing...but then again in my company you basically have to murder someone to get fired. I would definitely address everything you mentioned in a professional manner and have a complaint filed with Human Resources.



I was thinking about going to HR, but I don't know if I want to bring it to that level yet. I mean I don't think it's acceptible to just NOT show up for work. I mean at least call in sick.. but to not show up? You're not in college anymore and you can just decide not to go to class ya know?

Posted 8/18/06 10:32 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by Blu-ize

She is an at will employee which means she can be terminated without notice and for almost any reason.

Cite her unprofessional behavior, fire her, then get yourself a new assistant.






lol, why that made me laugh I don't know.. but question, what's an "at will employee"? Isn't it illegal to fire someone without warning?

Posted 8/18/06 10:33 AM
 

Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A

Member since 7/05

32475 total posts

Name:
Susan

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by Shopaholic921

Posted by Blu-ize

She is an at will employee which means she can be terminated without notice and for almost any reason.

Cite her unprofessional behavior, fire her, then get yourself a new assistant.






lol, why that made me laugh I don't know.. but question, what's an "at will employee"? Isn't it illegal to fire someone without warning?



Nope, if you are an at will employee you can be let go w/o notice and for almost any reason. Her unprofessional behavior is grounds enough. If she signed a contract for employment that states otherwise, that's a different story.

Posted 8/18/06 10:35 AM
 

LBG30
:)

Member since 9/05

3423 total posts

Name:
Noelle

Re: Assistant Dilema

I say FIRE HER!! and you can hire me Chat Icon

Posted 8/18/06 10:35 AM
 

Elbee
Zanzibar

Member since 5/05

10767 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by MrsRbk

I would have a sit down with her and explain to her what the expectations are in the office (dress, language, etc) and advise her on being more professional.

Not to make excuses for her, but she's young and I'm assuming this is her first "real" job, she doesn't know any better. Instead of making it a session of critisism, turn it into a "teaching" lesson.



I agree, IF she is worth it (in terms of work) you can even phrase it as being understanding of her being new to the work world ... you can be someone who has been there already and want to give her some insight into starting her career on the right foot ...

Posted 8/18/06 10:35 AM
 

Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A

Member since 7/05

32475 total posts

Name:
Susan

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by LBG30

I say FIRE HER!! and you can hire me Chat Icon



I agree!

Posted 8/18/06 10:36 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by MrsRbk

I would have a sit down with her and explain to her what the expectations are in the office (dress, language, etc) and advise her on being more professional.

Not to make excuses for her, but she's young and I'm assuming this is her first "real" job, she doesn't know any better. Instead of making it a session of critisism, turn it into a "teaching" lesson.



Good advise, and I know she's young.. and it's her first job.. that's why I'm not just firing her for not showing up when I have so many deadlines today that she's well aware of. Meanwhile I am talking to you guys here instead of doing her work Chat Icon

Posted 8/18/06 10:36 AM
 

jms100303
Luv my munchkins

Member since 5/05

4789 total posts

Name:
Jennifer

Re: Assistant Dilema

Since she is young (I think we are going to see more & more of this actually - sad), I would give her a second chance. I would schedule a meeting, not an impromtu, so she knows it is coming and call it a review. I would explain to her what you think is inappropriate and what is considered unacceptable. Then I would give her a month to improve and straighten herself out, otherwise I would then fire her a**.

Posted 8/18/06 10:37 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by Blu-ize

Posted by Shopaholic921

Posted by Blu-ize

She is an at will employee which means she can be terminated without notice and for almost any reason.

Cite her unprofessional behavior, fire her, then get yourself a new assistant.






lol, why that made me laugh I don't know.. but question, what's an "at will employee"? Isn't it illegal to fire someone without warning?



Nope, if you are an at will employee you can be let go w/o notice and for almost any reason. Her unprofessional behavior is grounds enough. If she signed a contract for employment that states otherwise, that's a different story.




She def. signed an agreement letter. I'll have to talk to HR about it I guess.. Let's see if she shows up today... Chat Icon

Posted 8/18/06 10:37 AM
 

Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A

Member since 7/05

32475 total posts

Name:
Susan

Re: Assistant Dilema

what's more, it's apparent that she takes her job and you for granted..

she doesn't have to be a stinking asst when she graduated from NYU! She's just doing it because she has to and doesn't care.

It's blatant. Lesson learned, let her go get another job that lets her do all those things.

I was 22 and was an assistant too. Never in a million years would I behave in such a manner in the office.

Posted 8/18/06 10:38 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by LBG30

I say FIRE HER!! and you can hire me Chat Icon



I'm considering it Noellie.... Chat Icon

Posted 8/18/06 10:38 AM
 

Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A

Member since 7/05

32475 total posts

Name:
Susan

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by Shopaholic921

Posted by Blu-ize

Posted by Shopaholic921

Posted by Blu-ize

She is an at will employee which means she can be terminated without notice and for almost any reason.

Cite her unprofessional behavior, fire her, then get yourself a new assistant.






lol, why that made me laugh I don't know.. but question, what's an "at will employee"? Isn't it illegal to fire someone without warning?



Nope, if you are an at will employee you can be let go w/o notice and for almost any reason. Her unprofessional behavior is grounds enough. If she signed a contract for employment that states otherwise, that's a different story.




She def. signed an agreement letter. I'll have to talk to HR about it I guess.. Let's see if she shows up today... Chat Icon



An offer letter or a contract? I doubt it was a contract. The offer letter will state that she is an at will employee most likely.

Posted 8/18/06 10:39 AM
 

nferrandi
too excited for words

Member since 10/05

18538 total posts

Name:
Nicole

Re: Assistant Dilema

I would give her a warning, since you do believe she's intelligent and capable of doing her job. Let her know that you understand that this is her first real job, but there are some things that are inapprpriate for the workplace- and site the things you've mentioned to us.

Posted 8/18/06 10:39 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by Blu-ize

what's more, it's apparent that she takes her job and you for granted..

she doesn't have to be a stinking asst when she graduated from NYU! She's just doing it because she has to and doesn't care.

It's blatant. Lesson learned, let her go get another job that lets her do all those things.

I was 22 and was an assistant too. Never in a million years would I behave in such a manner in the office.




Ditto! When I was 22 I would NEVER have acted the way she does... It's a poor work ethic..

Posted 8/18/06 10:40 AM
 

Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A

Member since 7/05

32475 total posts

Name:
Susan

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by Shopaholic921

Posted by Blu-ize

what's more, it's apparent that she takes her job and you for granted..

she doesn't have to be a stinking asst when she graduated from NYU! She's just doing it because she has to and doesn't care.

It's blatant. Lesson learned, let her go get another job that lets her do all those things.

I was 22 and was an assistant too. Never in a million years would I behave in such a manner in the office.




Ditto! When I was 22 I would NEVER have acted the way she does... It's a poor work ethic..



Right...phooey on her.

Posted 8/18/06 10:41 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Thanks everyone!! Chat Icon Chat Icon

Let's see if she shows up today.. I'll schedule a "review" with her to discuss all the issues. Depending on her reaction we'll take it from there. I will keep you posted!!

Happy Freakin Friday! Chat Icon

Posted 8/18/06 10:43 AM
 

krwm
<3

Member since 7/05

3466 total posts

Name:

Re: Assistant Dilema

She obviously doesn't take the job seriously and needs to be canned. Maybe her next job she'll realize she has to be a little more professional...

I'd fire her just wearing body glitter.

Posted 8/18/06 10:45 AM
 

Shopaholic921
SUP..

Member since 10/05

5113 total posts

Name:
Brooke

Re: Assistant Dilema

Posted by krwm

I'd fire her just wearing body glitter.



lol, it's usually on Friday's after her CRAZY night at Marqee... she prob comes in straight from there and the glitter hasn't sweated off yet..

Posted 8/18/06 10:48 AM
 

Pumpkin1
LIF Adult

Member since 12/05

3715 total posts

Name:

Re: Assistant Dilema

Is she still in her probationary phase? If so, I think you have ample reason to fire her. However, I know that it can be difficult to find good workers, so I guess you need to decide if you can ignore this behavior. Personally, I would probably let her go.

Posted 8/18/06 10:51 AM
 
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