Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose – author of the business and time management books TimePeace: Making peace with time – The Book of Answers: 105 Career Critical Situations – and I am a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management, and work-life balance strategies.
This question came from a busy manager.
I found out that my employee is constantly going on interviews with other companies. Do I fire him?
Simple answer is “NO!”
Take this as a sign
This is an opportunity for you to evaluate both your company and your management style. Realize that there are many reasons people “window-shop”.
- Just “window-shopping”, but aren’t really interested in moving
- To increase their business network
- To verify their worth and salary
- He may want something closer to home (which working remotely or flexible work hours would resolve)
- He may legitimate grievances that other employees share
Whatever his reason for interviewing with other companies, you will want to understand the circumstances. Others may be having the same issues.
Interview him
Show that you appreciate his work and value his contributions. Then find out why he is looking to work for another employer. It may well be he is unhappy with your management style; or something entirely different.
Many issues can be resolved by a change of departments, work environment, a more challenging job position or a different role in the organization. Also, consider the cost of attracting, hiring and training a new employee.
Isn’t it worth a chat?
Legal consequences
Consider the legal consequences for firing someone just for learning about other opportunities. If they are taking the interview on their lunch hour, during their vacation time, or after hours and it’s not causing a problem to your department operations – it’s not a good idea to just fire someone because there are rumors that they are looking for another job.
Consider the additional costs of replacement
If his skills are of use and if “removed” would mean hiring a new person, the time to attract, hire and train a new person is expensive for you (as employer). It’s cheaper for you to find out why the employee is unhappy and wants to work for someone else.
You may find that it’s actually an underlying issue that a number of your employees are experiencing, and therefore are also considering leaving. It would be beneficial to learn and correct those before others start to leave.
It is actually more expensive to train and hire new recruits than keeping current employees “happy”. It costs in both time and money to lose key staff.
Review current job satisfaction numbers
Consider conducting an employee and job satisfaction survey throughout your organization. Find out what everyone’s thinking about their current job, workplace and employer/employee management relationships. Conduct regular one-on-one manager meetings with each of your employees.
Employees may be bored and want more challenging jobs. They may want advancement opportunities. They may want more autonomy or advanced educational/training opportunities. Finding out the current employee atmosphere throughout your organization (now) may save you an exodus later.
If you need some help with this, please setup a one-on-one consult session.
To participate in a confidential One-on-One Laser Coaching Session with Coach Laura, just click the link below, pick the session time that works for you, and sign up. Each session will include 20 minutes of Laser Coaching with time afterward for a few questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to experience coaching. Sign up now and come ready to chat. One-on-One Laser Coaching Signup