An employee feeling a little too much at home?

This young woman started working for us 4 days ago and already she has orders from Amazon delivered here, she has personal calls coming in...and yesterday she had flowers delivered to her here.





Lets say you're management, how would you handle that one?

An employee feeling a little too much at home?
The best time to address this is NOW. Flowers are OK -- friends sent them to help her celebrate the new job. Don't worry abou those.





However, do address the Amazon delivery and personal calls. Tell her it's not appropriate unless they are emergency calls. If you don't stop her now, it will simply get worse. You can explain that it's just how you do business and how you prefer employees handle situations. You can be nice, thank her for understanding that your rules may differ from other employers, but that it works best at your location.





If she doesn't understand, she was likely a bad hire.
Reply:My first reaction:


In starting a conversation I would refer her to the firms’ policy and procedure handbook that is given to each new employee. I would remind her that in the culture of a law firm that these are not acceptable behaviors and perhaps distracting not only to her but to those around her. A professional demeanor is necessary for the smooth functioning of a department that provides professional services. These types of activities can have a cascading effect on other staff members, so nipping it early on may be in the best interest of the entire department.


My second reaction:


Each firm has a different culture, meaning what may be acceptable behavior in one may not be in others, so this may depend on the culture. If her job performance is above and beyond her job description, her mannerism is above expectations and she is getting along with the rest of the employees in an exemplary manner, then she may be a really good employee. If this is so, then a friendly chat on the firm policy and procedure over some tea may set the stage right for this new employee.


My third reaction:


This will be a combination of my first and second reaction. I will advise her of the firm policies and provide some positive feedback on her performance. However, not knowing the culture of the firm and since she is only four days on the job then I may have to go with my first reaction. As you can see this relates to firm culture, employee performance and the policies and procedures of the firm.


The best of luck to you.
Reply:I have found that employees who make themselves at home in the first couple of weeks, usually aren't going to last long. I think you should be assertive, but not act like you own the place. When you're over confident, you tend to not get along with management.





I don't know how the mangagement would handle things, but from my experience if they act this way the first week, they will be trying to take over and run everything within the next few. Never a good sign if you ask me.
Reply:If she has not violated anything under your company's policy, then just let her enjoy life.
Reply:I'd fire her to send a message to my other employees about acceptable behavior.





I'd rather get rid of her after four days than waste $$$ on training someone who might be a considerable problem.
Reply:I would simply tell her that personal calls have to be kept at a minimum and that they are monitored (even if they aren't). Tell her that personal packages being delivered is a disruption and to please keep them to a bare minimum.
Reply:In addition to all the good advice, you might want to mention to her the fact that some people are severely allergic to scent and flowers and she put people's health at risk with the flower delivery.





One company I worked for banned flowers, perfume, hair gel and that darn "Axe" body spray because allergic reactions.
Reply:I'd ask myself how she's performing her job. If she's keeping up with everything she needs to do, seems to be fitting in, learning quickly, and isn't causing any trouble ... I'd cut her some slack.





If employees who have been there for a while wouldn't be allowed to do things like take personal calls while on the job, then I wouldn't let her either -- otherwise, as long as she's not doing a bad job, what's the harm?

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