How would you handle this -work related (update pg.2)

[KristiKelly]

Thank you everyone for your replies. It's great to know that you can come somewhere like the DIS & get honest answers, whether or not it's what you want to hear. I guess what I really wanted to know is if DH is reacting appropriately to the situation or if he's reacting to his feelings being hurt. It's often hard to separate the two. I hate seeing him feeling this way. He's had conflicts before with employees, but never one that he had worked so closely or as long with.

Hillbeans, DH asked him if he'd ever used any of our equipment, tools, or shop to do any of this & he said "no", but should we believe that probably not.

As for a contract, he's looking into it now. DH is very trusting & has never felt a need for one or thought about one, he (& I as well) consider everyone nice - until.

As for Chris going & starting his own company, I highly doubt it (but wouldn't say no) he has shown overtime not to be a leader or overly dependable on a consistent basis. When given a little bit of leadership, at times it has gone to his head. We went to WDW in 2002 and when we returned heard that he had used DH's parking space, bathroom, desk, etc. Not that Dh really cared, but it was almost comical to us in a way - he's very immature in those ways. Little things like that would get on the other employees nerves though. I guess the thing that surprised DH the most is that Chris has always been a bit of a tattle tale, had someone else done what Chris has done, he would have been busting down DH's door to tell him. He was so eager to let DH know what everyone else was doing, but he was doing much worse & more deceitful things behind DH's back. Thanks again!

 

[jipsy]

An example of a non-compete agreement:

http://www.cftech.com/BrainBank/BUSINESSLAW/NonComp.html

I agree with the others - what Chris did is unethical. I sell construction tools for a living. It would be highly unethical for me to take on another line of tools (which would essentially be my competition) and sell those also to my original customers. I would get fired, and probably sued.

I had to sign a non-compete when I was hired. I also had to sign an At Will agreement, which is basically an understanding between employer and employee that we willing enter in the employment "at will" and either of us can terminate the employment for any reason at any time.

I hope you and your husband get with a good attorney so nothing like this happens in the future. Even though you have a "small business" you should still treat it as if it is a large company.

 

[Kallison]

I think what the employee did was unethical. If it wasn't, he would have had no problem about being up front about it with your DH.

 

[KristiKelly]

Well, this past week Chris has tried to manipulate Dh into giving him a raise, saying things like "I wouldn't have to do this if I made more money" & "in order for my wife to stay home with our kids, like your wife (referring to me) I need to make *XX amount*" Hey, keep me out of it, for starters, when I quit my full time job, I knew there would be safrices, his wife has weekly manicures, wears brand new Ralph Lauren & Tommy Hil. clothes everytime I see her - I'm still wearing last years clothes - SACRIFICES!!! He also told DH that another company offered him a job, starting off making what he makes now and a raise within 6 monthes. How little did he know, but DH knows the guy that owns the company that Chris was referring to & speaks with him occassionally, DH called him yesterday & was told that is ALL LIES. Never offered him a job, Chris went to him looking for a job & he told him he had nothing but part time around $8/hr. He also told him that he would not hire him now. Chris had also made comments to DH, to the point that he thought he had DH where he wanted him. That DH had no choice but to give him a raise because he was so indespensable - WRONG, after a long conversation yesterday with him, DH let him go. It's really unfortunate that it all came down to this, but DH had a calmness to him last night that he hasn't had all week. Hopefully all we be for the best. Please send some Pixie Dust DH way. Thanks!!!

 

[Microcell]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
I think if Chris is doing a side job it's really none of your husband's business. Chris puts in his hours at work, if somebody offers to let him do a job for more than the $22 an hour, I say go for it. $22 an hour overtime isn't that much. It would only be stealing from your husband's company if the people came into your shop and Chris siphoned off work from your husband. If it's completely outside the company, it's completel outside the company. The business that Chris is given wasn't your husband's to start with, so he's not taking anything from your husband.

It was taking business directly from her husband, it was a seperate company that would have been paying her husband if Chris had not accepted the offer for himself. It is absolutely undermining the company and who is to say Chris won't do it again? Iam glad your DH decided to go that route, he would have been more and more trouble as time goes on.

 

[Disney Doll]

Chris is unethical and lacking integrity. If he was "stealing" from you in one way, he wass stealing from you in other ways. As far as the other guy who is telling people that he just hires Chris, well, he's a slime too, but if Chris wasn't a slime first, the other guy wouldn't have had the oppoprtunity to "slime".

It woked out to your DH's advantage that Chris had "offers" form other companies etc that he was loridng over DH. Gave DH the opportunity to say "Well, I won't stand in your way...go ahead". Talking about Chris' big "plan" backfiring, eh???

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Hugs to your DH. It's always hard when someone you trusted betrays you.

DH might want to consider hiring folks form here on in with a "non-compete" clause in their contract. While I am sure that this has been a trying situaiton, it has taught DH that he needs to be a little more careful in his hiring practices. That will serve him well in the future.

And think, maybe Mrs. Chris will have to wear the same "Tommy" wear next yera as she does this year!!! The horror!!!!!!!!!!