Quote:
Originally Posted by 5yno  Quite complicated this one,the customer used to own a business on the same street as my business,I kept my employee on when I bought the business 7 years ago,so she knew the customer before I did,the customer still used my business for buying flowers for her shop until she sold her business about 2 years ago,my employee and the customer where never and still are not social friends as in they have never gone out in the evening together,but I do recall just after I took over my business that my employee told me that she had done some work for the customer in the past but assured me that she would nnever do any more work for her unless it was through my shop!!! |
OK...knowing that in many areas trained florists can be quite hard to come by, you probably don't want this to get out of hand.
As her employer (ie not as a friend or any other relationship) your first step should be to set up an arranged meeting during working hours (I appreciate that can be difficult in a shop, but a "back in 10 minutes sign" may be in order.
Talk the issue over with her and
calmly also take note of her side of events. (I am assuming here she did not use your stock or premises). I would be inclined to take notes of the conversation and ask her to read and sign them if she agrees they are accurate at the end of the meeting.
If this was a one off action, hopefully she will understand that you are taking the matter seriously. Probably also the time to raise the matter of an employment contract which should cover matters such as this and while as I said above it could be hard to enforce, it will hopefully be enough to put her off repeating the affair.
I imagine the two of you work quite closely, so while you need to be firm and professional, you need to keep it amicable so you don't suffer weeks of silent glares and unhelpfulness, make sure she understands how important it is especially in these times to get all the trade you can to cover the rent, rates and ultimately her wages.
That really is about as far as you can take it at this stage. Ideally it should nip it in the bud (sorry excuse the pun!).
Does that help at all?
PS. Welcome to FBF
Hope you plan to stick around.
Linear Mode
