Two assistants have been employed, and both fit in well, proving immediately popular in the office. With one exception, the team culture is excellent. You have scheduled another meeting with Jo, because her behaviour has become worse rather than better, and Angela is now finding her intolerable because she is so inefficient. This will be a disciplinary meeting with Jo.

Task 4

What will you discuss with Jo at this meeting?

Scenario: Part 5 - Jo handles the rent payment.

Jo - part-time receptionist, and assistant to property manager, Angela. Angela has complained to you about her work on several occasions. She is not generally liked in the office.

Angela - property manager. Extremely efficient, doesn't tolerate sub-standard work from others. Doesn't like Jo and doesn't trust her. Is respected by everyone in the office.

The day after your meeting with Jo, a tenant comes in to pay his rent. He pays $800 in cash - Angela is at lunch, and Jo is covering for her. Jo issues a trust receipt and puts the money in the drawer.

After the tenant leaves, Jo opens the drawer and takes the money out. She then puts it in her handbag and puts the handbag under the desk.

Angela returns from lunch, and sees the trust receipt, and askes Jo where the money is. Jo says she left it on the desk. Angela looks everywhere for the money but can't find it. She asks Jo again, and Jo says she definitely left it there, so it must have disappeared while she was in the toilet.

Angela is frantic and runs into your office. You are soon joined by Janetta who politely says, 'I was in the office when the man came in to pay his rent. I saw him hand over a wad of cash, and Jo put it in the drawer. Then after the man had gone, Jo got something out of the drawer and put it in her handbag. I don't know what it was, but she put her handbag under the desk.'

Task 5 a) What will you do next? Explain what your first action will be, and what your follow-up action will be.

b) Outline circumstances when instant dismissal may apply, state whether or not these circumstances apply here, and explain why.

c) Explain the procedure that must be applied before 'normal' dismissal of an employee occurs.