I think I know the answer but I am curious what other ideas people have. I have an employee that has a long track record of his personal life negatively effecting his work life. The 8 or so hours a day he is as work he is very good and big contributor. The other 16 hours of his day are the issue. However, in the last month he has missed work due to getting a DUI, later on it was fighting with his girlfriend and then columnated in her kicking him out and him need to move all his stuff out. Personal stuff, not my business but it is effecting my business. Well now he needs extended leave to deal with another personal matter. He can’t give me a time table on his return but he says over and over that he isn’t quitting. Well, if he can’t come to work and can’t give a timetable to when he can, that sure sounds like quitting to me. The issue that I don’t know how to deal with is that he is a big contributor, he is great with his skilled job and with customers. I don’t want to loose him but I can’t just hold a job for an undetermined amount of time. I also feel for the guy, he just keeps making poor personal decisions. My guess is reddit would say to just fire him for not being about to coming to work and move on. Is there any reason to not do that? Like I said he is great at what he does, if he is here to do it.
If an employee cannot make it to his shift, he is not reliable. Talk to him and tell him that you appreciate the work he’s has been doing and how he’s a good employee but you need someone reliable and can consistently make it ti work. Tell him to sort his things out and reach out to you when he’s in a better personal situation.
Go out and start looking for someone. Do not wait for him to come back and if he does come back, bring him on only if you need the extra help. Do not feel personally obligated to him. He’s got too much baggage. Your business first and foremost.