I 100% believe this could be true. She probably knew more that it was coming, but what can you do in that situation? You have to pursue the job. You can't be like, well, I might want the job but also so you know this dementia thing is hanging out there and there's a chance I will have to move to Georgia. Because she probably genuinely didn't know if or when that would happen.

Bottom line, OP, if you have a firm no remote work policy, you have to assume X% of your people will need to resign along the way for family care reasons. Most of us have kids, aging parents, and partners to manage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry. She wasn’t the right person. After 1.5 years you still have not found the right person. I would change the job. If it isn’t fillable, you need to rethink it.

This. You are clearly being too picky about this position.

That and remote work isn't an option.

I should specify, it can go 2 days hybrid on set days after 3 months.

OMG OP! You're an evil human if you didn't offer her some kind of remote work during this crisis. I too have hybrid for all of my employees, but when there's an emergency I always grant remote work.

I have a feeling there's more to the story and she didn't like you or the workplace as well.

For all you know, she was trying to further her career and her husband is giving her an ultimatum or something. You never know what’s going on with people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you furious about? I doubt she took this decision lightly and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with you. Give the lady some grace.

I am furious because 1) I don’t believe she’s being honest 2) didn’t give a notice

Life happens. It sounds like a very elaborate lie if a lie. As for notice, what would be the point of her working a couple more weeks right when she started?

That’s what makes me think it’s not a lie. She has no loyalties to people she’s known for 1 week and could’ve easily said she didn’t think it was the right fit or that she got a better offer. Plus, I would think she would use her own parents if was lying because that’s more of a gut punch than in law.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you furious about? I doubt she took this decision lightly and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with you. Give the lady some grace.

I am furious because 1) I don’t believe she’s being honest 2) didn’t give a notice

She is not required to give notice.

Thats a pretty elaborate lie. And she said they are relocating correct?. You can stalk her on LinkedIn if it makes you feel better to be able to say gotcha if she gets a new job in your area but this is where grace comes in.
And it also sounds to me like you are a bit jaded and assume everyone is lying.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you furious about? I doubt she took this decision lightly and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with you. Give the lady some grace.

I am furious because 1) I don’t believe she’s being honest 2) didn’t give a notice

Life happens. It sounds like a very elaborate lie if a lie. As for notice, what would be the point of her working a couple more weeks right when she started?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she apologize or just explain why?

She did apologize a few times in her email. Also said how disappointed she was because she was hoping the company would be permanent home, how she was looking forward to making changes with her ideas, and how she appreciated how nice everyone was to her

And you still think she’s lying? Lol.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you furious about? I doubt she took this decision lightly and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with you. Give the lady some grace.

I am furious because 1) I don’t believe she’s being honest 2) didn’t give a notice

So you want to pay her for another two weeks to continue to make plans for reforming the department(s) she is no longer going to lead? This makes no sense.

Anonymous wrote:Curious - as a manager how would you respond to this? Or would you even respond?

A PP gave a great script up thread.

HR person here - managers like the OP drive me crazy.

Anonymous wrote:What are you furious about? I doubt she took this decision lightly and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with you. Give the lady some grace.

I am furious because 1) I don’t believe she’s being honest 2) didn’t give a notice

Call your second choice candidate. I was once the second choice and got the call that the first choice had backed out at the last minute. I was so happy to get the offer, and I did really great work for that organization for five years.

What are you furious about? I doubt she took this decision lightly and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with you. Give the lady some grace.

That sucks, OP. Obviously more for her and her family, but for you also. Agree you need to change the job description or pay more or give better benefits/flexibility or do something differently there. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So did you call her and tell her she can work remotely for as long as she needs and you will fly her up for team meetings every X weeks since is the person you need but family comes first?

We don’t do remote work

Maybe in order to have the right person for the job, you should consider if you’re the right job for the right person. Would you rather have the wrong person sitting in your office or the right person working effectively from a remote location?

Unless the job requires someone’s physical presence (surgeon, firefighter, pilot, etc.), you might consider whether revising the company’s policies or creating a specific exception for the right person would ultimately be in the company’s best interests.