Hi everyone. My office receptionist has been with me since September she is 19 and since starting has been out 3 times. I have two other teachers who have been with me for 5 years and never have taken time off for sickness. I have been out 1 time in 10 year. The receptionist only works part time 15 hours a week. I need the receptionist to open up collect tuition sell shoes to name a few. This past Saturday she came in and said she was sick throwing up since Friday. I asked her why she didn't call me yesterday to give me a heads up. She said I would be upset that she wasn't coming in. I said probably however she needed to call in. Anyway, I sent her home and called one of the dance teachers to come in and cover. This past Sunday she called in the morning and Late Sunday to tell me she just got home from the hospital and said call me.She did not say she was not coming into work. She also called on Monday and said call me.Again did not say she wasn't coming into work. I did not return her call for one thing she didn't say she was calling in sick I figured I would see her at night. I also had my hands full I have 3 kids a death in the family on Sunday and my mom had major surgery this morning. I had one of the teachers call her Monday to find out why she did not show and to tell her there would be staff meeting Tuesday late morning. The receptionist did not want to talk to the teacher was mad I did not call her back. Hung up and 5 minutes her mother is calling leaving a message that she wanted me to call back to tell me how sick her daughter is.And was upset I did not call her daughter back. I would not talk to her mother. I sent an email out to my receptionist Tuesday morning wishing her well and said I will see you on Wednesday. I also told her not to call me today,because I would be at the funeral an then the hospital. This morning her mother called me early in the morning didn't leave a message and then came down to the studio while the teacher was teaching a preschool class. The mother was all upset telling these perfect strangers how her daughter was sick and couldn't come into work. The teacher was very upset and shaken by this incident. Took the doctors note and said she would give it to me. I got out of church spoke with the dance teacher and the doctors note said she had a stomach bug. What do I make of this.

I think there's enough "proof" to assume she was legitimately sick. However maybe it's time to get calling in sick policies in writing and have her sign it.
Our policy states that staff must give a minimum of 5 hours notice with 24 hours being the preferred. In cases of requested personal leave- illness or death in the family etc- it is the staff's responsibility to find someone to cover their shift.
Maybe reiterate that instead of leaving a message to call her she simply should have said I am ill and not able to work. Opening communication would have eliminated this whole awkward scenario. I would also express to her mother that she is employed as an adult and will be treated as such and interference from her mother will not be tolerated.

Agree with J1ll.....I also just want to add that having ones mother come in and speak for her is a sign.

I personally can't stand 19 year olds who can't do things with out mommy or daddy having to butt in. She sounds like trouble to me. If you give her another chance(I wouldn't, even though she was legit sick) I'd just cut the cord since her parents can't.

Im kinda a Biaatch when it comes to stuff like this though. Thats why I don't like to hire anyone who is young. I have plenty of college and Hs students who are helpers,and jr instructors but not anyone who has a position that I have to rely on them for. They are not reliable(Im my experience).

Good luck and so sorry that you had all this happen with the death in your family and mom being sick.

I agree with Coach T - she is 19 and is legally an adult. Mommy shouldn't be fighting her battles for her. This to me is a major red flag that she is irresponsible because Mommy never lets her deal with anything and jumps in for her all the time. I'd try to find someone else if you could or I feel these issues are just going to repeat themselves. There is no way I would speak to my 19 yr old daughter's boss about anything - it should be HER job, HER reponsibility.

I agree my goal is to let her go by June 1st after the recital.I am afraid if I let her go now or in a few weeks 1. She might think it has to do with her being out sick. 2. I am so busy now I couldn't handle this business alone. I would love any input on where to advertise for this part-time position. I don't want to advertise at the studio because I am afraid of more drama. Any info I would appreciate.

I agree with everyone about the mom interjecting; but, it also seems that your current stress is making this situation seem worse than it is. The girl is obviously sick. I think once in a blue moon it's okay to have calls go to voicemail.

Maybe I'm a softie but I do not want sick people at the studio. Not sick kids, teachers, or office staff. People who stay hme get better quicker and spread less germs. I used to work at a corperation who would wirte you up if you were sick even if you had plenty of sick time. So EVERYONE came in sick and everyone would share germs and eventually everyone called in sick. No one was happy or productive.

Do you have written expectations like J1ll said. I give them 3 days (not paid) a year no questions asked. Some use them to spend their child's birthday dinner with them others only use for sick time. They are expected to let me know in advance and find someone to cover. If they are ill they are to call me by 10:00am so we can make a decisio on the class and it gives me time to try to message my last resort list.

If they miss more then 3 times we have a meeting to review that misses and to see if it is an excused reasons to miss. No one is scared to call me or text me and I don't feel that the abuse the policy.

If you have a policy you can make it whatever you want but you need to make the expectations clear, upfront.

I personally think that leaving a message that you are calling out is not ideal and I think that she was trying to do the right thing by wanting to talk to you personally.

Obviously you are having a rough week maybe think about it when you have time to rest and reflect.