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I am scared to sack with new IR laws. Help!

Dear Aunty B, I have a staff member who I have been ambivalent about since they started. But the staff member has just repeated confidential information to another staff member which has caused a huge stink in our office. She has done it purely to cause trouble although she says she didn’t know it was […]
SmartCompany
SmartCompany

Dear Aunty B,

I have a staff member who I have been ambivalent about since they started. But the staff member has just repeated confidential information to another staff member which has caused a huge stink in our office. She has done it purely to cause trouble although she says she didn’t know it was confidential (even though I told her it was).

I am sick of her gossiping and causing trouble and quite frankly, don’t want her on my staff any more. I have given her several written warnings about her behaviour as she also has other performance issues. But I am too scared to sack her because she is the type to take action and badmouth me in the profession.

I also don’t know how the new Rudd rules affect me. We are a small business and she is having a big impact on morale. And there is nothing I can do to change her behaviour.

RT,
Sydney

Dear RT,

It is very hard sacking staff but unfortunately it comes with the responsibility of running your own business. You have given her several written warnings and told her how to improve her performance.

You are being very clear about the reasons you are making her redundant and it is all documented. Then you just need to follow the eight point check list and tick those boxes.

It is always unpleasant moving someone on. But it is better for both you and her in the long run. Just one thing. It sounds to me that you might need to make more accurate judgments about whom you share knowledge with.

You are an employer so act like one. So don’t be scared of either her or the new rules. Also for any other info on hiring, sacking and redundancy just type it into SmartCompany’s search box.

Good luck,
Your Aunty B

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