I am in a dilemma. Should I ask her to pay up?

[Deactivated] on 24/12/2014 - 06:13
Last edited 24/12/2014 - 06:36

Hi ozbargainers

We own a hair salon. Long story short, we do people's hair for weddings. Recently,one of my employee's daughter got married. So we did bride's hair , bridesmaids' hair, groom's hair , best men's hair all in one day. We tried to help out. My employee said she will foot the entire bill which total about $900 but will only be able to do so after Xmas when she is expecting to run into some money. I agreed.
Now comes the twist, 2 days ago I heard the tragic news that the bride and groom got into car accident and passed away while honeymooning overseas.

Now I am facing the dilemma, morally I think I should just write off the debt but on the other hand a debt is a debt, I delivered the service , my employee should pay up . Should I wait a little longer in new year till everything settles down , then bring up the debt issue?
I am also facing the fact that I will have to pay her some compassionate leaves which will total about $300. And her Xmas bonus this year is another $250.

What would you do?

General Discussion

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  • 2jzzzz on 24/12/2014 - 07:02

    Consider it a donation and write it off. You just might have a grateful employee for life.

    • 171
    • Ravensbane on 26/12/2014 - 19:01

      Definitely this.

      • 4
  • blitz on 24/12/2014 - 07:28

    I think it would be a particularly heartless employer to bring this up, ever. If the employee offers to pay, tell her to keep the money.

    And you should forget about it.

    • 125
    • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2015 - 11:53

      I would bring it up.
      I would remind her about the money and then I would tell her to forget about it.
      Don't sweep it under the carpet, turn it around into a tangible and well identified gesture of goodwill.

      • 0
  • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2014 - 06:30

    That is terrible, really is. The last thing your employee needs right now is to be reminded of a debt when she has just lost her daughter. Give her a month before reminding her, or absorb the loss as a gesture of good will ($900 might have been the total price charged, but what was the actual real cost to you?) and you may reap that back in employee morale.

    • 113
    • nikey2k27 on 25/12/2014 - 07:34

      This is what i would absorb the loss as a gesture of good will. i feel in long run you be better off with employee morale. you find you get it back 10 fold happy staff make for happy life.

      • 40
    • scrimshaw on 25/12/2014 - 10:10

      I agree with the morale bit. Gossip spreads around the workplace, so you have to consider what your trusted employees will think of you, the boss, if you make such a decision.

      • 19
    • deal seeking missile on 27/12/2014 - 02:06

      This is a site dedicated to saving money, we are all tightarses here; yet (it may be the holiday season generosity speaking) i think that if most oz-bargainers were in your shoes they would want to give your employee some space and show some compassion. She will likely remember it down the track and will probably raise the issue herself. so my suggestion would be to be patient and wait it out, its not like your employee is going to suddenly disappear.

      • 3
    • eatwell365 on 26/12/2014 - 23:24

      Coincided with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in 1843.

      • 0
  • Hikey on 24/12/2014 - 13:35

    You were recently bragging on Ozbargain that you are worth $1.5 mil. Now you are in a moral dilemma because of $900.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/169831

    • 110
    • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2014 - 14:27

      good detective work, holmes. i can't believe this is the same guy.

      • 37
    • rodinthink on 25/12/2014 - 19:26

      and realize the name IamGENEROUS.
      WOW, Isn't that ironic/hypocrite, right?

      It's either you try to troll us OR you're just a Dr. TightArse,TaD (TightArse Doctorate), Mother of all TightArse
      Even the TightArse (power user) say . mateeee , Your arse is so tight that it's impossible to be penetrate

      How many percent of $ 1.5 million you lose from $900 ? it's not even going to bother you with basic need.
      Note: I ain't communist. I'm in between Capitalism and Communism

      • 8
    • Chef-Johnson on 24/12/2014 - 14:39

      haha classic, this the fella who said he adds flybuys deal even tho he's not eligible because it minuses 1 cent !

      • 4
    • adamren on 25/12/2014 - 12:20

      Net worth and cashflow are two different things. It doesn't matter if it's $9 or $90, it's the principle. When someone says they'll do something they must keep their word.

      • 4
    • crudman on 27/12/2014 - 17:02

      Most rich people I know didn't get rich because they let something relatively small slide. They get rich by scrooging everything no matter how small.

      • 4
      • mit on 30/12/2014 - 12:49

        True. But everyone hates rich ppl because of situations like this. Just makes everyone think you're an arse.

        • 0
    • adamren on 25/12/2014 - 13:29

      Haha OzBargainer failing to understand difference between business cashflow and owner's networth.

      Lots of Australians owning a home or two are worth $1.5mn. So?

      • -1
      • IanC on 25/12/2014 - 13:36

        so?… and their net worth may well be less than zero, not 1.5mil as the op brags about.
        And they would not be buying 5 business class seats for overseas trips.

        • 7
        • secondstory on 28/12/2014 - 22:28

          I know a few families with a net worth less than zero and still act like this. A mate of mine and his partner took out a personal loan to go on a Japan holiday and neither knows the meaning of the word save.

          OP can afford to do this by being tight with money in other areas.

          • 0
  • phoenixx on 24/12/2014 - 13:39

    You're quite obviously OBSESSED with money going off your posts. What a pleasure you must be to work for.

    • 52
    • smartazz104 on 27/12/2014 - 11:04

      Thought all users on OzB were obsessed with money, hence the mad rush to save 50 cents here, $2 there…

      • 3
    • kobrien456 on 29/12/2014 - 08:12

      My 2 cents worth:

      Your humanity requires that that you write off the debt.

      My humanity (if I was the parent/employee of the dead bride), requires that I always repay my debts.

      I would never keep anyone waiting for money loaned to me while I went out to dinner, bought new clothes etc. A few people have done that to me though. A debt is a debt and even in these tragic circumstances, I would repay it as soon as I could.

      • -1
      • kobrien456 on 31/12/2014 - 13:50

        Would like to hear why the negger thinks this is a bad idea.

        • 0
      • kobrien456 on 31/12/2014 - 13:53

        Would like to hear why the negger thinks this is a bad idea.

        • 0
  • djones145 on 25/12/2014 - 07:44

    are we being trolled?

    this thread, owning a hairdresser
    this thread APRA fees
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/175322

    this thread
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/172410
    talks about getting a salary? as a owner? maybe

    he has a opal card, but his profile is wagga? wagga has opal?
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/170516

    fly business class with kids and is worried about 900 bucks…..
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/138297

    sorry Christmas day and its a bit boring lol

    • 40
    • No on 25/12/2014 - 09:50

      I am glad someone said it….

      If an Australian couple was killed in a car accident whilst overseas on there honeymoon I think it would be on the news. Sorry OP.

      • 15
      • r3volt on 25/12/2014 - 11:52

        Only thing I could find happened over a month ago. Find it odd its not "news".

        • 0
      • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2014 - 15:26

        Deleted

        • 0
      • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2014 - 15:24

        Deleted

        • -1
      • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2014 - 15:22

        An ignorant comment. Given 1 oz dies in Bali alone every 9 days, how many did you find in the news?

        • -7
        • No on 25/12/2014 - 16:31

          A honeymooning couple would make the news.

          • 4
        • andyken on 26/12/2014 - 21:14

          @Iamgenerous: you should mention Thailand (one dies every 3 days) or Greece :)

          • 1
        • djones145 on 25/12/2014 - 18:45

          @daveaus:
          with 1 hour news, everything makes it these days
          I say one where the couple had their house burnt down during the wedding!

          • 0
        • andyken on 26/12/2014 - 17:48

          where you get the fact from? reality show??

          • 0
        • [Deactivated] on 26/12/2014 - 21:06

          @andyken:
          Google

          • 0
    • Aceboy884 on 25/12/2014 - 10:46

      Troll alert …

      • 4
    • burningrage on 25/12/2014 - 09:59

      Yup. The moment someone points out about his other posts, I am think we probably are…

      • 3
    • CheapCoffee on 25/12/2014 - 17:05

      Haha. Let's stop feeding the troll guys :)

      • 2
      • djones145 on 26/12/2014 - 09:26

        but everything is closed in NSW on boxing day!
        MUST FEED TROLL

        • 2
  • zrach on 24/12/2014 - 12:07

    Someone lost their child in what was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives and you're thinking about $900?

    • 38
    • inherentchoice on 24/12/2014 - 12:44

      ^Wise words.

      • 3
    • Sammouro on 25/12/2014 - 12:30

      I fully agreee with you there. They certainly have more than enough on their plate.
      Don't forget to add 'Christmas' too.
      Poor things.

      • 1
  • DrPayne1990 on 24/12/2014 - 22:56

    Purely based of your other thread, you're a bit of a wank. Before I stumbled across that, my opinion would have been different.

    • 33
    • eneloop on 24/12/2014 - 23:46

      I went through this guy's post and they are all about money, medibank shares, joint accounts, net worth, money hungry scum, I'll knock you out if I ever see you

      • 19
      • Scrooge McDuck on 25/12/2014 - 07:59

        Mate hit me up I'll give you the $900.

        I'll knock you out if I ever see you

        Charming.

        • 13
        • StewBalls on 25/12/2014 - 23:34

          @eneloop:

          I'll knock you up if I ever see you

          Fixed…Merry Xmas slugger! :)

          • 7
        • eneloop on 25/12/2014 - 10:27

          What's the problem buddy

          • 0
      • ankor on 25/12/2014 - 14:30

        Gonna get some sore knuckles,and a cellmate named bubba if it's your life's mission to knock out douche bags. There's a lot of them out there!

        • 2
      • jaybmate on 25/12/2014 - 23:27

        On a bargain website, I dont see the issue with posting about money, medibank shares or joint accounts..

        • 2
      • smartazz104 on 27/12/2014 - 11:06

        Knock him out with what, your collection of eneloops? Easy to talk big on the internet tough guy.

        • 0
        • eneloop on 27/12/2014 - 12:00

          Oruspo evladi seni anani avradini sikerim piçin bebesi, I am a tough guy Gökhan I'll be in Melbourne this Monday maybe we can have a coffee

          • -2
    • cantstanzya on 25/12/2014 - 00:22

      you're a bit of a wank.

      Heh

      • 3
  • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2014 - 16:24

    I think the fact that you are even asking this is disgusting, and really shows what kind of person you really are. The woman has lost her daughter and new husband. Stop being cheap, and hope that you don't rot in hell for even posting this.

    • 28
    • smartazz104 on 27/12/2014 - 11:04

      Lucky there's no such thing as hell then ey…

      • 2
  • flex350 on 24/12/2014 - 06:22

    Sad news. Personally I would wait until the new year, unless you are struggling for cash. Your employee may even raise it up before had.

    • 25
    • Bugsarse on 28/12/2014 - 17:57

      All that comes to mind is scrooge removing the pennies from the eyes of his dead partner. OP, you sir are not a good person.

      • 7
    • shamid202 on 27/12/2014 - 22:17

      @Iamgenerous im writing to you Iamgenerous

      I read all of the comments and All I can say according to your responses is that you are an asshole.

      I see its 900$ job but the money you really spent on makeups and staffs would never go over 100-200$ max so you wont lose any thing more than that for sure. every single human can understand her situation. its like 2-4times full bucket of fuel.

      I dont know if you have a pet like a dog or a car but im pretty sure if you have/had one you would have spent much more than that on that pet than a human. I dont know whats going on with us !

      • 5
  • toristo on 24/12/2014 - 07:52

    That's a tough one.

    I'd consider how I'd feel in that situation, then realise I didn't have the faintest idea of the actual devastation that she must feel, ask myself why the compassionate leave is only $300 and work out another way to help her.

    You have a business to run. We get that. Many of us here also have our own businesses or manage businesses or work in businesses as people managers. We know that there are challenges like this every day, but the one thing I have come to realise is that without good staff, you're f-cked. Think about it for a moment; if you replaced all of your current staff with mediocre staff who did the job for 10% less, would your business survive? How many of your customers would return?

    I am going to assume this particular employee has been with you for a while and you would under normal circumstances consider her an asset who has clients who come back to see her. At this point, the asset may not be offering the same returns as she has in the past, given that one of her kids has been tragically killed. I don't sell a warehouse just because I have a tenant move out and have to wait 2-3 months for a new one to move in and start paying the lease again. I have to ride it out. I hate it, I want my returns sooner and am bitter that I'm out of pocket during that time, but I'm always happy when the lease payments kick off again. As a hair dresser,if she's worth her salt, her clients will come looking for her - let them know she's off due to the loss of a close family member and perhaps consider having a small condolence book or cards that they could writer her a personal message in. Imagine feeling that not only did you employer value you enough to want to do something more, but that your regulars had taken a moment too to write a few kind words.

    If you handle this well, your regulars will see another hairdresser in the interim and your hairdresser will be back to work at some stage. She's not going to be 100% in the beginning. She'll be fine one day and then someone will say something that triggers a memory and she'll break down in tears, and that's OK. If you've never lost a child then I think it's unreasonable to judge what she's going through.

    Per the above comment, the bill might have been $900, but what was your actual cost (hourly rate of those hairdressers who worked on the bridal party multiplied by the number of hours)? That's what you are really out of pocket. Yes, you have an opportunity cost too for the other potential appointments that you missed, but I'm asking the genuine cash out of your pocket. Is that number so unreasonable?

    She she pays you without prompting, good for you. Personally, I'd write it off and consider it an investment in loyalty.

    Now I'll be blunt and offer my first thought when I read your post:
    If she's lost a child and the compassionate leave is $300, she's either struggling for cash and desperate to get back to work to keep a roof over her head, or you're an unreasonable manager. Neither is particularly positive and both are things you can influence directly. It's Christmas. Do what you'd hope someone did for you.

    • 25
      • Master Bates on 24/12/2014 - 11:01

        I'm going to play devil's advocate; have you considered that the accident could be a lie to get time off work and avoid paying $900? I say this purely based on the picture you have painted of her work ethic.

        • 21
        • Master Bates on 24/12/2014 - 12:14

          @ProjectZero: You and I wouldn't, but people in this world do all kind of immoral things, as recent events in the news have proven. Consider this, perhaps she doesn't actually socialise with the other staff outside of work and what if she doesn't intend to return to work? Easy money!

          • 11
        • wkd on 26/12/2014 - 12:14

          find her on facebook, people would leave messages if it was real.

          • 6
        • secondstory on 25/12/2014 - 03:11

          @ProjectZero:

          I knew a guy who wanted a day off work and told his employer a parent died. Another teen in final year highschool would say a grandparent died whenever they wanted to skip exams.. we thought it was real at first but they went through way too many grand parents than rationally/normally possible and only during exam times.

          • 3
        • ProjectZero on 24/12/2014 - 11:30

          I really don't think someone would lie about a death of a family member just to get out of work… I mean wouldn't that be too much effort and if they forget that they said "My daughter and her husband is died" and showed some pictures of them in the near future, they would be toast…

          • 1
        • Tal_Shiar on 25/12/2014 - 02:13

          @ProjectZero: you are either fortunate to have never come across someone so petty, or you've lived a sheltered life…

          • 1
        • ZzRice007 on 28/12/2014 - 01:26

          @ProjectZero:

          U can always ask when the funeral is and ask to send flowers to service or actually attend

          • 1
        • ProjectZero on 24/12/2014 - 12:18

          @moola:

          Consider this, perhaps she doesn't actually socialise with the other staff outside of work and what if she doesn't intend to return to work? Easy money!

          That is a valid point… but I believe benefit of doubt should be enforced here… If she did indeed lied to get out of the expense then there are ways to get it back… albeit a long way around via law, but still possible.

          • 0
        • ProjectZero on 25/12/2014 - 16:40

          @Tal_Shiar:

          I think it would be former… my life is as far away from sheltered as I can describe

          • 0
        • ProjectZero on 25/12/2014 - 16:40

          @Myrtacaea:

          lol wtf… was it really necessary for him to lie just to get a day of work…

          • 0
        • gadget on 26/12/2014 - 14:27

          Seriously? Such an easy thing to get caught out on.

          • 0
        • secondstory on 28/12/2014 - 16:12

          @ZzRice007:
          Probably wouldn't be appropriate to attend if they said they only wanted a small gathering of family members so it wouldn't be too hard to get out of I suppose.

          • 0
        • secondstory on 28/12/2014 - 16:24

          @ProjectZero:
          From what I recall he wanted to go to the beach with some mates and gave the heads up to his family that they might be receiving some flowers delivered to their address.

          I personally wouldn't but from what I've seen/heard it's quite common because its too sensitive to follow up or dig out enough information to confirm.

          • 0
      • DrStinge on 24/12/2014 - 09:04

        I would personally leave it - consider it some good karma. Not all of us in life are good in employment and when we fall on our feet it's nice when someone can have our back.

        I feel sorry for the lady, what a tragedy

        • 20
        • Scrooge McDuck on 24/12/2014 - 13:15

          Firstly, karma doesn't exist so forget about that.

          Secondly, let this be a lesson to everyone that you should never give an unsecured loan to anyone unless you're prepared to write it off.

          Thirdly, you should quantify the total cost of each option to you (this is difficult) and take the cheapest option.

          Quantify and consider the costs of individual factors such as:

          • Guilt on your conscience
          • Damaged reputation with other employees
          • Revenge from the employee
          • Lost productivity while you find a replacement employee
          • The outstanding debt ($900)
          • The Xmas bonus ($250)
          • Continued and possibly amplified lost productivity from the employee
          • etc

          It sounds like you should've sacked her already and you're now either in a very unfortunate predicament or the victim of a con.

          • 44
        • DrStinge on 24/12/2014 - 15:01

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          By name, by reputation.

          • 17
        • ErYan on 26/12/2014 - 08:33

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Victim of a con? $900 vs life of daughter?

          I myself would find it difficult to discuss this topic with your employee. However, one thing about marketing that I have learnt, if someone receives good service they will tell one person. When they receive bad service they will tell 10.

          Is there a chance that by asking for the money that your employee would tell many people the story? How would those people think?

          Write it (900) off as a tax loss. Let the employee grieve.

          • 4
        • gadget on 26/12/2014 - 14:25

          @jzx100:

          Sure he is, but how often do you come across these situations? Be a human being now and deal with the other matters later.

          • 1
        • deal seeking missile on 27/12/2014 - 02:13

          LOL
          The sad truth is that the universe doesn't give a rats arse if you're good or bad but the people you know will.

          • 1
        • Scrooge McDuck on 24/12/2014 - 20:40

          @Gaggy:

          Prove it.

          • 0
        • This Guy on 25/12/2014 - 01:54

          @Gaggy:

          You're too smart, sober and nowhere near arrogant enough to be a Gaggy. Which one did you marry? :p

          • 0
        • jzx100 on 26/12/2014 - 10:11

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          What the Duck said. End of the day you are running a business not a charity.

          • 0
      • Ramrunner on 24/12/2014 - 12:09

        Even though I agree with being compassionate, I believe strongly in Karma, and this employee sounds lazy. Does that mean she deserves what happened? Hell no - no-one deserves that. And I absolutely would not be impressed if you pressed her for $900 at any time after what has transpired. I simply mean that if this employee was a glowing first rate asset to you, you should absolutely waive the $900 to "pay it forward" all the good will over the last two years.

        I understand you have a business to run. So do I so I know the trials and tribulations.

        My opinion?

        If the business is doing well and you are comfortable financially, waive the money altogether. This is Christmas and a tragedy and kindness and generosity is something we need to see a hell of a lot more of. HOWEVER, I will absolutely understand you ask her if $200 to cover your costs for the day if you or the business does need the money.

        For example the position I'm left in after trusting a friend in 2010 has left me so in debt at this stage I would ask for the $200 and not feel guilty about it based on your description of the employee. After all the tragedy has nothing to do with your back pocket. Harsh but true.

        • 9
      • andy19363 on 24/12/2014 - 09:19

        Hopefully neither she, nor any of her relatives/friends are members of ozbargain…… It would be pretty simple to identify her and point her to this thread.

        • 3
        • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2014 - 11:45

          @manic: This is exactly the sort of story our major online tabloid blogs newspapers love to create outrage over with a twisted headline: "Heartless Hairdresser: Grinch Screws Battling Musicians and Makes Mourning Mum's Christmas Misery".
          I better not give them ideas.

          • 16
        • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2014 - 06:55

          @Iamgenerous: You'd need to cut a lot of CEO/chairman hair, or make significant donations to their aligned political party, to get a headline like that.

          • 1
        • bargaino on 24/12/2014 - 11:11

          How many members read the forums?

          • 0
        • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2014 - 20:54

          @Thrift:
          Or should sound like:
          Greedy musicians and employee's broken promise left struggling business a bleak Christmas.

          • -6
      • burningrage on 24/12/2014 - 09:11

        "Employee has been with us 2 years. Not one I will consider an asset. Always last one to arrive, first one to leave. Takes sick leave all the time. Had a few warning letters to her name already for bunch of reasons. You get the picture, hardly worth keeping."

        Well, that might change if you leave it.

        • 1
        • gstfree on 26/12/2014 - 16:59

          Looks like the employee is not a good performer, but I think we should consider the sad things happened to her.

          Please do not authorize unsecured loans unless you can afford writing it off.

          • 0
      • centrelink on 25/12/2014 - 22:15

        As a business owner, I know being a soft person is a great weakness to have. People CAN take advantage of you for it and have experienced it in the past. I probably will get negged for it, but I am only sharing past experience, but I really get results by being an asshole and if it were me in your shoes now, I'd go for it and ask for the money.

        I've never known a successful business owner that acts like a pushover. I know alot of failures and all hold the same traits as pushovers.

        Take my advice as a grain of salt of experience because I know many people will dis-agree with me and I'm sure there exist some successful business runs by people that are easily to control.

        • -2
        • Serapis on 26/12/2014 - 16:04

          Dont be soft but there is a line, something wrong about demanding money from parents whose child just died… I'd consider this one a write off regardless

          • 2
        • Serapis on 27/12/2014 - 18:36

          @spn:

          Its more counterproductive from experience, everyone becomes so afraid about losing their job so much that they can't pay enough attention to what they're doing, meaning more work done but also more errors…

          And it's worse when winter hits, people don't want to take time off when they're actually sick, instead come in and infect everyone there with the flu. Even had a guy come into work once with a broken hand, was too afraid to take the day off in case he gets replaced.

          You need to factor in all the other hidden things like stress and OHS associated costs to do with tired and stressed out workers, and at the end of the day i don't think it's worth it. Not only that but treating other people like shit also makes me feel like shit at the end of the day, not worth it tbh…

          • 2
        • coin saver on 27/12/2014 - 14:29

          @spn:'Based on my experience, someones mum died twice'.. This is actually possible under the award that i am employed under.In fact a bloke that i work with claimed bereavement leave for 3 grandmothers legitimately.

          • 0
        • Serapis on 27/12/2014 - 18:24

          @spn:

          Should've said you can take all the time off in the world on unpaid leave… but bring in proof if you want to be paid

          Just stick with their legal entitlements and that's it, you went over and above your obligations, which is nice of you but only have yourself to blame if you get burned. You don't have to be an a-hole to run a business, you just need to be smart.

          • 0
        • centrelink on 27/12/2014 - 18:27

          @Serapis:
          As I said before, it is so much easier to be an asshole/jerk when managing a business. I've already changed since then and I rather my attitude employees hate my guts then getting to know them. The results… shit actually gets done faster and more efficiently.

          Ever watched that Simpsons episode where one of the co-workers get promoted and suddenly their friends do what ever they feel like? It's almost like that..

          • 0
        • version2 on 20/01/2015 - 09:01

          Damn. No more negs left for the day :(

          • 0
        • centrelink on 27/12/2014 - 13:31

          @Serapis:

          Based on my experience, someones mum died twice. The first time I gave her all the time she needed to recover.. PAID..

          This is what happens when you are just being nice, people take advantage of you. And the sick leaves, the good old sick leaves on the Melbourne Cup weekend. I almost know its certain that it comes up and oh no the "I am sick" abuse. Its so much easier to hire foreigners to work for you. No fuss, no hassle and actually knowing their place.

          My advice again, be an asshole and make them fear you else you may be taken advantage of like I did once.

          • -1
        • centrelink on 20/01/2015 - 22:39

          @version2:

          There ya go

          • -1
  • MattBuzzy on 24/12/2014 - 20:51

    Wow I am disgusted by this thread, though in my case I would do my best to pay my debts after getting my head around the recent tragedy, I can not speak for this woman to do the same.

    It may take me a couple months to get back on my feet after the shock and horrible loss and extreme sadness that would surely ensue.

    I would hope my boss would be humane enough to not even mention it and I would pay my debt as soon as possible or ask for it to be deducted from my pay as the last thing on my mind would be to budget to pay a debt when I would have a horrible tragedy and funeral to deal with and pay for.

    In my opinion the right thing to do would be to write off the debt, or as a gesture of good will approach her and say you are sorry for her loss and to help ease some worry you will only charge her the cost price for the service to pay as soon as she is able.

    It is what I would do if I had employees, but I am a very compassionate person and money means little to me. I am on Ozbargain because I am a low income earner and try to save what i can. I would write off $1000 of debt for my employee, if i had one, in such a situation and my net worth is a drop in the ocean compared to yours.

    Just having to ask this question you should take a long, hard look at yourself and the person that you are, with a username like Iamgenerous, I would expect more compassion. She may not have been the best employee, but SHE JUST LOST HER DAUGHTER! Iamselfish or Iamobsessedwithmoney would be more fitting.

    If she hasn't actually lost her daughter and would perpetuate such a lie I am sorry to you and she is the disgusting person. Just the fact though that she may have and without any other proof she has, this question is horrible. Just before Christmas at that….

    TL:DR Should you ask a woman that has just lost her daughter, that was just married, right before Christmas, to pay her debt? NO! Yes she owes you money, let her come around to it when she can. If she forgets or "forgets" then remind her, or ask her with everything that has happened, if she would like you to deduct a small amount from her pay until the debt is paid.

    Ergh, I truely feel sick after reading this.

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