What to do about David?

Refit Ltd is a shop-fitting company based in Manchester, UK. Set up in 2002, Refit Ltd undertakes all kinds of business refurbishment but has developed a special expertise in projects requiring an express service. This usually involves working at night and weekends so that the business can keep to a minimum the hours it is closed. The company has its own highly skilled workforce of electricians, plumbers, joiners, etc.

On a recent weekend job one of the fitters, David, complained to the onsite project manager because he felt there was a health and safety issue that had not been addressed. It appeared that no risk assessment had been done. There was a heated exchange, with David swearing at the manager. David then walked out, with the project manager telling him he need not bother to come back.

You have just returned from holiday. As David’s line manager you find out what happened from the project manager when you go into the office on Monday morning. David has not reported for work, and the project manager has sent you an email expressing the view that the company is better off without him. You know that David often complains and has been increasingly negative in recent months, but he is a skilled worker respected by his colleagues and has been with Refit Ltd for five years.

Decision!

What would you do?

yy Refer the matter to the HR Manager yy Wait and see what happens yy Contact David and ask him to return to work yy Send a letter to David terminating his employment yy Investigate the situation