What Would You Do?

[JFMFG]

Can’t make this shit up if I tried. Today I took all the employees out for our annual Christmas lunch. I usually pull each one into my office before we go thank them personally and hand them their bonus check. Anyways didn’t have time to do that this year got side tracked with some other stuff a website meeting that went on longer than expected. We go to lunch eat and people start excusing themselves. I thought to myself fuck it let them go and everyone who stays I’ll give their checks to them today and thank them as a group. The ones who left I planned to give their checks to tomorrow since we are working a half day. I gave checks to 20 of the 25 people I had with us. I get home about 2 wife and kids were at her parents making cookies. I may have closed my eyes and took a little cat nap. I wake up to a voicemail from one of my guys kids who used to work for us also. The message was along the lines of how can you have a lunch and not give my dad a bonus etc. meanwhile I gave his dad a 500$ personal loan out of my pocket a month or so back. He’s paid me $100.00 back. He ends the message saying watch my back as he’s gonna “pull up” on me. Part of me wants to just shit can the kids dad now part of me doesn’t want him to suffer the actions of his kid even though obviously he was running his mouth to him. Part of me really doesn’t want to give him his bonus now either. What to do? What would you do?

 

[regor]

Call him in and talk about the kid’s threat. Depending how he acts, can his ass, but either way, F the bonus as the kid will think you’re his bitch.

Had a similar scenario with an employee and ultimately canned his mom.

 

[JFMFG]

Call him in and talk about the kid’s threat. Depending how he acts, can his ass, but either way, F the bonus as the kid will think you’re his bitch.

Had a similar scenario with an employee and ultimately canned his mom.

I don’t like to act off emotion. I planned to sleep on it but those are my thoughts as well.

 

[angiebaby]

If the dad's a decent employee, ignore the brat. Pretend like it didn't even happen. Especially don't waste your time over the holiday thinking about it.

 

[JFMFG]

If the dad's a decent employee, ignore the brat. Pretend like it didn't even happen. Especially don't waste your time over the holiday thinking about it.

Don’t know if I can act as if it didn’t happen. A talk needs to be had I feel. I’m assuming the dad knew his kid was calling me.

 

[propcheck]

I would call the employee into the office show him the bonus check, play him the recorded message from his son and tell him his families behavior has turned the bonus into a severance and to stop off at HR on his way out for his final check for the pay period

 

[ChrisV]

Who’s the kid. I can send my goons if needed.

 

[JFMFG]

I would call the employee into the office show him the bonus check, play him the recorded message from his son and tell him his families behavior has turned the bonus into a severance and to stop off at HR on his way out for his final check for the pay period

So many scenarios have went through my head this being one.

Who’s the kid. I can send my goons if needed.

Don’t need any goons. Wouldn’t be smart for his kid I’m not a hard guy to find lol. I think people who make threats aren’t the ones to worry about. People who are serious about doing something don’t threaten they just act.

 

[regor]

Don’t know if I can act as if it didn’t happen. A talk needs to be had I feel. I’m assuming the dad knew his kid was calling me.

He may not have known, but he was obviously talking smack, F him.

 

[DWC]

That sucks. Part of me wants to give them the benefit of the doubt. The ones that left had work to do or were trying to beat traffic. They may have been pissed because they thought lunch was taking instead of the bonus. Other part, if you don’t want to stick around there’s no cash for you. We’re either a family or not. Not to sound like the old guy but the new gen isn’t in it for the long haul. Only gonna get worse.

I always tell my wife to pay attention to the spouses during our Xmas party/extra curricular activities. The employees are damn good at faking it. The spouse reaction…. Way more unfiltered.

 

[RiverDave]

If you want to know what I’d do?

I tell the guy keep the loan money as his Christmas bonus. Step 2, you are fired.

Don’t even bother explaining yourself.

If the kid called that means the dad was bitching to him about you.. fuck em both.

RD

 

[GRADS]

Where have I heard this story before? Oh that's right. You sure it was his "son" and not his cousin Eddie?

 

[Your ad here]

I would have a talk with him about the voicemail his kid left. Maybe dad doesn't know about the voicemail. You know him better than us. We've had employees were something like this was totally unexpected and not like the employee and we've had employees were it wasn't a surprise at all we were expecting something like this.
I'm guessing dad said something in front of the kid that you wouldn't want the kid to repeat but the kid did and took it to the next level. Joys of parenting.

 

[JFMFG]

That sucks. Part of me wants to give them the benefit of the doubt. The ones that left had work to do or were trying to beat traffic. They may have been pissed because they thought lunch was taking instead of the bonus. Other part, if you don’t want to stick around there’s no cash for you. We’re either a family or not. Not to sound like the old guy but the new gen isn’t in it for the long haul. Only gonna get worse.

I always tell my wife to pay attention to the spouses during our Xmas party/extra curricular activities. The employees are damn good at faking it. The spouse reaction…. Way more unfiltered.

We were done about 12:30. I’d like to think not much traffic as we are supposed to work a few hours after but I always send everyone home after and pay the rest of the day for those that are hourly. Sad what the world is coming to.

 

[JFMFG]

I would have a talk with him about the voicemail his kid left. Maybe dad doesn't know about the voicemail. You know him better than us. We've had employees were something like this was totally unexpected and not like the employee and we've had employees were it wasn't a surprise at all we were expecting something like this.
I'm guessing dad said something in front of the kid that you wouldn't want the kid to repeat but the kid did and took it to the next level. Joys of parenting.

Dad must have been talking mad shit though

 

[JDKRXW]

I don’t like to act off emotion. I planned to sleep on it but those are my thoughts as well.

Absolutely don't act immediately.
The asshole that called you is probably banking on you doing exactly that.

 

[JFMFG]

If you want to know what I’d do?

I tell the guy keep the loan money as his Christmas bonus. Step 2, you are fired.

Don’t even bother explaining yourself.

If the kid called that means the dad was bitching to him about you.. fuck em both.

RD

My thoughts also. Once he is fired not like he will pay me back anyways.

 

[Mr. C]

Just make sure whatever is said
You don’t set yourself up for legal action coming from him
I’m sure you know and wouldn’t do that. Just a reminder.

 

[DWC]

We were done about 12:30. I’d like to think not much traffic as we are supposed to work a few hours after but I always send everyone home after and pay the rest of the day for those that are hourly. Sad what the world is coming to.

We hand out some big checks at work. Ridiculous in some situations. We also do surveys a couple times a year to see how “happy” everyone is. In the last 4-5 years the scores have zero correlation to $$$$. It’s pretty wild.

 

[JFMFG]

Just make sure whatever is said
You don’t set yourself up for legal action coming from him
I’m sure you know and wouldn’t do that. Just a reminder.

Yes I don’t see what legal action they could take. I have a voicemail with threats over a Christmas bonus that is a gift not a necessity lol.

 

[Looking Glass]

Can’t make this shit up if I tried. Today I took all the employees out for our annual Christmas lunch. I usually pull each one into my office before we go thank them personally and hand them their bonus check. Anyways didn’t have time to do that this year got side tracked with some other stuff a website meeting that went on longer than expected. We go to lunch eat and people start excusing themselves. I thought to myself fuck it let them go and everyone who stays I’ll give their checks to them today and thank them as a group. The ones who left I planned to give their checks to tomorrow since we are working a half day. I gave checks to 20 of the 25 people I had with us. I get home about 2 wife and kids were at her parents making cookies. I may have closed my eyes and took a little cat nap. I wake up to a voicemail from one of my guys kids who used to work for us also. The message was along the lines of how can you have a lunch and not give my dad a bonus etc. meanwhile I gave his dad a 500$ personal loan out of my pocket a month or so back. He’s paid me $100.00 back. He ends the message saying watch my back as he’s gonna “pull up” on me. Part of me wants to just shit can the kids dad now part of me doesn’t want him to suffer the actions of his kid even though obviously he was running his mouth to him. Part of me really doesn’t want to give him his bonus now either. What to do? What would you do?

How did the KID know "IF" you did or "Didn't" give DADDY anything? DADDY, Cry to his Family?

 

[RiverDave]

We hand out some big checks at work. Ridiculous in some situations. We also do surveys a couple times a year to see how “happy” everyone is. In the last 4-5 years the scores have zero correlation to $$$$. It’s pretty wild.

I watched a video about this recently about employees at a tech company that were bitching about the company while they were sitting in the company spa on campus during work hours..

It basically said that employees want to be challenged and have a sense of pride in their work more so then the money made.

RD

 

[Done-it-again]

Damn. I think I give my guys to much.
This week off paid plus bonus’s

I’m surprised how many business were open today as I did work for a few hours at the office.

I come to realize most people are ungrateful for whatever you give or do for them and you’ll be let down if you expect any type of appreciation.

Just make sure you record his face when you call him in to the office and play him
the VM. Would love to see his reaction and start fumbling words.

Employees suck, good luck.

 

[Your ad here]

Dad must have been talking mad shit though

Someone mentioned earlier about benefit of the doubt. Maybe dad said something simple and harmless and the kid feels more entitled than dad. Kids can be brutal. Maybe dad did bitch and feels entitled. You know him better than us.

 

[Mr. C]

Yes I don’t see what legal action they could take. I have a voicemail with threats over a Christmas bonus that is a gift not a necessity lol.

I meant when and if you talk to him about the voicemail etc . Don’t lose your cool so much you say something or do something that gives him any leverage later

 

[JFMFG]

Damn. I think I give my guys to much.
This week off paid plus bonus’s

I’m surprised how many business were open today as I did work for a few hours at the office.

I come to realize most people are ungrateful for whatever you give or do for them and you’ll be let down if you expect any type of appreciation.

Just make sure you record his face when you call him in to the office and play him
the VM. Would love to see his reaction and start fumbling words.

Employees suck, good luck.

Sucks how a few bad ones can ruin it for all the good ones. Maybe next year I’ll do pizza to the office and call it a day.

Someone mentioned earlier about benefit of the doubt. Maybe dad said something simple and harmless and the kid feels more entitled than dad. Kids can be brutal. Maybe dad did bitch and feels entitled. You know him better than us.

True guess we will see.

I meant when and if you talk to him about the voicemail etc . Don’t lose your cool so much you say something or do something that gives him any leverage later

I’m pretty good about keeping my cool as I don’t ever want to be in a situation like that.

 

[Angler]

Someone mentioned earlier about benefit of the doubt. Maybe dad said something simple and harmless and the kid feels more entitled than dad. Kids can be brutal. Maybe dad did bitch and feels entitled. You know him better than us.

Another reason I use subcontractors instead of employees.

 

[Mr. C]

Someone mentioned earlier about benefit of the doubt. Maybe dad said something simple and harmless and the kid feels more entitled than dad. Kids can be brutal. Maybe dad did bitch and feels entitled. You know him better than us.

Which would be worse.
Your kid or wife calling “your boss” to bitch?
I’d be Fn pissed off if they did.
Makes you look like a wimp who can’t speak for himself. Again. Jmho

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Why would you be paying a bonus to an employee that you had to loan money to and he hasn't paid it back?

Withhold the bonus as payment on account and then fire the asshole for his kids threats.

 

[Your ad here]

Damn. I think I give my guys to much.
This week off paid plus bonus’s

I’m surprised how many business were open today as I did work for a few hours at the office.

I come to realize most people are ungrateful for whatever you give or do for them and you’ll be let down if you expect any type of appreciation.

Just make sure you record his face when you call him in to the office and play him
the VM. Would love to see his reaction and start fumbling words.

Employees suck, good luck.

Our best employees were the ones that had their own business at one time. They understand the risk owners take, the amount of money owners handle weekly just to keep the business going so employees can earn an income, the fact they always don't get paid for work they already performed, they work pretty much 24/7 and don't always get a paycheck. Those employees were more than grateful to work 8-10 hours a day and get a paycheck that was always good.

 

[JFMFG]

Why would you be paying a bonus to an employee that you had to loan money to and he hasn't paid it back?

Withhold the bonus as payment on account and then fire the asshole for his kids threats.

I guess because I’m a nice guy. This time of year isn’t about what I’m owed it’s about how I can give and show appreciation.

Our best employees were the ones that had their own business at one time. They understand the risk owners take, the amount of money owners handle weekly just to keep the business going so employees can earn an income, the fact they always don't get paid for work they already performed, they work pretty much 24/7 and don't always get a paycheck. Those employees were more than grateful to work 8-10 hours a day and get a paycheck that was always good.

This 100%

 

[brianwhiteboy]

Call him in the office….say nothing…..just play the message. His reaction/excuse/apology will determine if he stays or not.

 

[boatpi]

Save any recording. I have 12 employees in two states, and many that depend upon us for supplies to make $$ for their families. We are very generous. Like you, we give yearly and even quarterly bonus’s health insurance we pay for 100%. They give that extra effort, we make it and pay down accordingly.

If any employee acted like that, they apparently have no desire to part of a growing family business. They are gone! I fired two this year.
All of our our employees love the owners and we all get along great. It is a team, one man does not make a team and one can destroy it from
Within.

 

[rivrrts429]

I had a similar thing happen except it was in an email format. Both Dad and Son worked for our organization.

Fired them both.

You want to claim you’re gonna “pull up” on me, we’ll see.

 

[Singleton]

100% - dad complained to kid.
50/50 - if dad knows kid called you.

If this was me
1) short meeting in office
2) play VM, so dad can hear it
3) hand him the bonus, minus the unpaid loan (he earned it, before his son ruined it)
4) had him his termination documentation and give him 2 weeks severance
5) exit him out of the building

 

[Singleton]

Which would be worse.
Your kid or wife calling “your boss” to bitch?
I’d be Fn pissed off if they did.
Makes you look like a wimp who can’t speak for himself. Again. Jmho

I had parents call me, when I did not hire their kid for internships.

 

[adam909]

I would tell the dad what the kid did and see how dad handles it.

Bonus checks is a slippery slope with employees. Probably would have been better to hand them to everyone the same day.

 

[JFMFG]

I had a similar thing happen except it was in an email format. Both Dad and Son worked for our organization.

Fired them both.

You want to claim you’re gonna “pull up” on me, we’ll see.

I was laughing. Who says “pull up”.

100% - dad complained to kid.
50/50 - if dad knows kid called you.

If this was me
1) short meeting in office
2) play VM, so dad can hear it
3) hand him the bonus, minus the unpaid loan (he earned it, before his son ruined it)
4) had him his termination documentation and give him 2 weeks severance
5) exit him out of the building

Wish I could take what he owes me out of his final check and rip the bonus in his face.

 

[JFMFG]

I would tell the dad what the kid did and see how dad handles it.

Bonus checks is a slippery slope with employees. Probably would have been better to hand them to everyone the same day.

Handing them to everyone same day was my intent but when people leave before I even get the bill in the midst of me being in a conversation I’m not going to stop what I’m doing to go through 25 envelopes to hand them theirs.

 

[arch stanton]

I would have fun with it play him the voice mail and say nothing make him talk
Most will quit faced with this problem
if he’s a real asset to your organization you can keep him
Should be a good story can’t wait to hear what he comes up with
How many Bosses loan money to employees not many I have but don’t make a habit of it

 

[JFMFG]

I would have fun with it play him the voice mail and say nothing make him talk
Most will quit faced with this problem
if he’s a real asset to your organization you can keep him
Should be a good story can’t wait to hear what he comes up with
How many Bosses loan money to employees not many I have but don’t make a habit of it

This will be the last time. I’ve done it on a few occasions.

 

[4Waters]

Have him bring his kid to work tomorrow and play the message in front of them both, tell them both that you had his check but he left before you could give it to him. Then ask the kid if it would be OK with him if you fired his dad because of his actions. We have all gone home and bitched about our bosses, it's life, sometimes we just have to vent. Make it a teachable moment for the kid and maybe he won't screw himself in the future. Don't fire the guy because he did something we have all done, the kid fucked up not your employee.


Edit: Scratch, didn't realize kid was a former employee

 

[JFMFG]

Have him bring his kid to work tomorrow and play the message in front of them both, tell them both that you had his check but he left before you could give it to him. Then ask the kid if it would be OK with him if you fired his dad because of his actions. We have all gone home and bitched about our bosses, it's life, sometimes we just have to vent. Make it a teachable moment for the kid and maybe he won't screw himself in the future. Don't fire the guy because he did something we have all done, the kid fucked up not your employee.

Don’t want that kid anywhere around my building or me. It’s easy for things to get heated and I have a lot more to lose than a punk kid. I am going to 100% play the voicemail

 

[RiverDave]

Have him bring his kid to work tomorrow and play the message in front of them both, tell them both that you had his check but he left before you could give it to him. Then ask the kid if it would be OK with him if you fired his dad because of his actions. We have all gone home and bitched about our bosses, it's life, sometimes we just have to vent. Make it a teachable moment for the kid and maybe he won't screw himself in the future. Don't fire the guy because he did something we have all done, the kid fucked up not your employee.

Fuck that..

Fire the guy, don’t give him a bonus and don’t bother explaining yourself

 

[4Waters]

Don’t want that kid anywhere around my building or me. It’s easy for things to get heated and I have a lot more to lose than a punk kid. I am going to 100% play the voicemail

I get it, maybe have the kid on the phone

 

[JFMFG]

Fuck that..

Fire the guy, don’t give him a bonus and don’t bother explaining yourself

Dave has the fuck around find out mentality. That’s usually how I am. And most likely how it’ll go.

 

[RiverDave]

Dave has the fuck around find out mentality. That’s usually how I am. And most likely how it’ll go.

He shows up Monday morning at 8:00 he’s out the door at 8:05.. no playing the voicemail, no explanation, no nada. Tell him he can keep the loan money as the bonus.

RD

 

[Mr. C]

Fuck that..

Fire the guy, don’t give him a bonus and don’t bother explaining yourself

Get that as well. But Not knowing all the facts.
He’s been there long enough to get a loan to help him out.
So maybe at the least. Have a chat with him.
See what comes from it.

 

[GRADS]

The son just contacted me and sent me a video of his Dad after getting home today.

 

[Mr. C]

Have him bring his kid to work tomorrow and play the message in front of them both, tell them both that you had his check but he left before you could give it to him. Then ask the kid if it would be OK with him if you fired his dad because of his actions. We have all gone home and bitched about our bosses, it's life, sometimes we just have to vent. Make it a teachable moment for the kid and maybe he won't screw himself in the future. Don't fire the guy because he did something we have all done, the kid fucked up not your employee.

We’re looking at this from outside though.
Maybe a little. Okay a lot less emotion involved.
I totally get this comment.
But also get the fuck him he’s fired.