My top guy quit...

[lewpac]

Last Wednesday @ 3:30, my No. 1 employee called me at my office like normal. After reviewing the days affairs, he started with the "I don't know how to tell you this" stuff.

That lasted for about two minutes, and I'm all "Scotty, get to the point". He informs me that he got another offer for over $10.00 an hour more than what I'm paying him ($30.00 an hr.). Of course I can't match that at this time. The kicker is, is that he got "short-noticed" and has to start with the new gig TOMORROW!!!! That put me and the project he was running in a bit of a pickle, but I didn't want to make him feel worse than he already did. He's been with me for over five years and has been the best employee I ever had.

He had to do what he had to do for him and his family, so I wished him well. It took me a day or two to get his project under control, but we're gonna' pull it off.

He calls me today, and it turns out that there's more to life than money. He didn't take into account that the freedoms and the fringe benifits he had earned working for me were erased working for a new company. Now, he's just employee #e-3345-g4-w on someone else's payroll. Just another "joe" on the job, being watched and barked at and pushed to produce. Working for me, he of course earned a certain perch and privledge, freedom and trust. Now, he's back to where he was 20 years ago, only making more money.

He wants his job back, but I already promoted from within to fill the spot.

What to do?

 

[DIAF]

Are you seriously asking for advice? If you run your own business, you should already know what to do.

 

[lewpac]

Oh, I'm not asking for advice. I'm just conducting an experiment on human nature and I'm curious about what percentage of people are forgiving and understanding, compared to the percentage of folks who are ruthless and cut-throat.

I already did what was necessary regarding the matter. I'm just curious as to what others would do.

 

[DIAF]

So basically you just want someone to give you the "ruthless cut throat" answer so you can feel superior? Well, go ahead, here's one of 'em.

I don't see how you can take the guy back. Not to be mean or vindictive or "ruthless or cut-throat" but you've already got his replacement. It's not fair to that guy. The other guy made his choice and now he gets to stick with it.

 

[DasTex]

You take the guy back. People make mistakes - they go for the money - but it's says something about the guy to come back and admit he was wrong.

I'm sure the guy you promoted from within isn't making what the old guy was right off the bat - so as part of the deal with bringing this guy back, you cut his pay a little for now. Then, turn the position into a dual headed position and let them work as a team.

Oh, and you'll have to probably have to let go of whatever new hire you made.

 

[theogt]

I would just ask myself, "What would a bartender do?"

 

[lewpac]

So basically you just want someone to give you the "ruthless cut throat" answer so you can feel superior? Well, go ahead, here's one of 'em.

I don't see how you can take the guy back. Not to be mean or vindictive or "ruthless or cut-throat" but you've already got his replacement. It's not fair to that guy. The other guy made his choice and now he gets to stick with it.

WOW!! Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, huh? That chip on your shoulder is probably why the wife keeps talking about you going on a diet...............

Nothing "superior" or un-superior about it. Just a simple question. Lighten up.

However, I of course took the course you described. I really had no choice. No way I could propose the position to the other guy only to take it back a few days later. What I do for a living, the need for a supervisor is immediate and crucial. Starting NOW! That very evening, I called the next guy in line and gave him the job. It would be playing a serioulsy bad game on THAT guy to pull the rug out from under him due to other guys indecision.

 

[lewpac]

I would just ask myself, "What would a bartender do?"

I'll betcha' it would be a higher road than what a lawyer would do.

 

[DIAF]

WOW!! Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, huh? That chip on your shoulder is probably why the wife keeps talking about you going on a diet...............

Nothing "superior" or un-superior about it. Just a simple question. Lighten up.

However, I of course took the course you described. I really had no choice. No way I could propose the position to the other guy only to take it back a few days later. What I do for a living, the need for a supervisor is immediate and crucial. Starting NOW! That very evening, I called the next guy in line and gave him the job. It would be playing a serioulsy bad game on THAT guy to pull the rug out from under him due to other guys indecision.

You yourself said it was an experiment to see who was nice and who was cold-blooded. I'd wager it is you with the chip on your shoulder, since you felt the need to even conduct this "research".

 

[Hostile]

I would move on. He did. Yeah, he was a great employee, but the guy you promoted is probably not a jerk. Why hurt him? The only way I bring him back is if there is a way to expand the business. I would never promote someone and then jerk the rug out from under him. He celebrated that promotion with his family and his loyalty to you has never been higher. Advantage you.

 

[lewpac]

You yourself said it was an experiment to see who was nice and who was cold-blooded. I'd wager it is you with the chip on your shoulder, since you felt the need to even conduct this "research".

Yeah, but correct me here.......................where did I mention anything about me being "superior"? As you plainly asserted? Your direct accusation as to my intention?

I was just simply looking for some feedback concerning a peculiar and uncommon incident. It's a unique situation that doesn't come along but for maybe once or twice in a lifetime as far as I can tell. At least in my 49 years, I've never heard or seen of such an occurance.

Unless, of course, if you're in the legal field. There, any dasterdly or wicked thing can happen.................

 

[Viper]

If he was truly as valuable as you say, I would take him back. However, it would be at a lower position. Especially if you believe the guy you just promoted earned his promotion.

 

[kmp77]

Well, since you already promoted within, I say that guy is out of luck. I was ready to say take him back until you said you already promoted. You'd just be kicking the new guy in the face by knocking him back down. Unless you can afford to rehire him for another position, I think he's SOL.

I wish I could make $10/hr more. That would be tempting...but I don't think there's a designer making $10/more than me in the city....stupid low paying field....bleh

 

[trickblue]

He might be worth taking back... that is your decision...

BUT... the fact that he would leave you without two weeks notice is a bit troubling.

I realize it's a formality these days, but it is common decency to give at LEAST that...

If you like his work, take him back... but keep him on a short leash and with no perks. He has to earn that back... he left you high and dry...

Throw him a bone... just let him know that you own that bone... Just my opinion...

 

[masomenos]

I'd hire him back on, give him a day and then call him into the office and say, "Yeah, you know, sorry about the short notice...but I have to let you go. Good luck."

 

[Yeagermeister]

He might be worth taking back... that is your decision...

BUT... the fact that he would leave you without two weeks notice is a bit troubling.

I realize it's a formality these days, but it is common decency to give at LEAST that...

If you like his work, take him back... but keep him on a short leash and with no perks. He has to earn that back... he left you high and dry...

Throw him a bone... just let him know that you own that bone... Just my opinion...

What he said :signmast:

 

[YosemiteSam]

Last Wednesday @ 3:30, my No. 1 employee called me at my office like normal. After reviewing the days affairs, he started with the "I don't know how to tell you this" stuff.

That lasted for about two minutes, and I'm all "Scotty, get to the point". He informs me that he got another offer for over $10.00 an hour more than what I'm paying him ($30.00 an hr.). Of course I can't match that at this time. The kicker is, is that he got "short-noticed" and has to start with the new gig TOMORROW!!!! That put me and the project he was running in a bit of a pickle, but I didn't want to make him feel worse than he already did. He's been with me for over five years and has been the best employee I ever had.

He had to do what he had to do for him and his family, so I wished him well. It took me a day or two to get his project under control, but we're gonna' pull it off.

He calls me today, and it turns out that there's more to life than money. He didn't take into account that the freedoms and the fringe benifits he had earned working for me were erased working for a new company. Now, he's just employee #e-3345-g4-w on someone else's payroll. Just another "joe" on the job, being watched and barked at and pushed to produce. Working for me, he of course earned a certain perch and privledge, freedom and trust. Now, he's back to where he was 20 years ago, only making more money.

He wants his job back, but I already promoted from within to fill the spot.

What to do?

First off, you don't give that job back to him. If he had gave at least 2 weeks notice, then you *could* consider something. The guy screwed you over and that MUST be taken into account. *IF* you have a spot for him then consider hiring him back, but not doing what he was. If you've promoted, then don't be like that guy and screw your promoted over the way this guy screwed you. Especially when you're doing for the guy that screwed you over in the first place.

As they say, you make your own bed.

 

[burmafrd]

My question is how did this guy not KNOW what the other job was going to be like?

 

[Danny White]

So much of the answer to your question lies in what kind of work it is, what kind of position we're talking about, and whether or not you can make room for another worker who is a proven commodity.

In my business, I can always find room for someone I know is talented, so I'd take the guy back in a flash, but certainly wouldn't demote or take work away from the guy I promoted in his absence. If he was someone you were upset to lose in the first place, then he's probably worth bringing back.

But I'm not going to presume to know your line of work... I'm assuming from the way you worded your original post, it would be difficult to bring him back without affecting the guy you promoted in his place?

A few more specifics would help shed light on the situation if you're really looking for advice.

At the least, you can tell the guy that you'll keep his name at the top of the pile if and when a job opens up in the future.

Good luck.

 

[Rackat]

I reward 2 things, but those two things are intertwined:

Work excellence and loyalty.

I have three former employees that went to a new facility that opened last year even after I had rewarded them with promotions/raises because of their work excellence. Two of the three have made inquiries as to whether they would be rehired if they applied for open positions. The answer is no. I promoted from within, hired from outside, and now the department is running better than ever. It sucks that their new place of employment does not appreciate them and that they live under constant threat of layoff, but they had a choice. Just as I do. Sucks to be them.