Anonymous
Dear Team,
The shareholders representative for our company who is a foreigner has sent a email to the MD of our company threatening termination of a lady staff member who has been with the company for more than 5 years. The reason given is that he feels that she has conspired against him, and that this is the 2nd time he feels she has done it. My question is :
1. The email is to the MD who has informed the staff member who is a senior member of the team and she has refuted the allegation.
2. The MD is aware that the whole thing is based on unsubstantial gossip.
3. How should the lady staff member react? This is very scary for her as its her job on the line and her career.
4. The first instance was when she had written about Increments for staff and the shareholders representative felt that she was bossy. This mail was also not sent to her but to the MD, who had discussed with her and the email was sent only after discussion with the MD as she is the HR head for the company.
I really need your help on this matter.

From India, Mumbai
The email is to the MD who has informed the staff member who is a senior member of the team and she has refuted the allegation.
2. The MD is aware that the whole thing is based on unsubstantial gossip.
3. How should the lady staff member react? This is very scary for her as its her job on the line and her career. - What are the inputs based on the Stakeholder has come to a conclusion ? We can not shoot in dark unless the Stakeholders view point is cleared to us.
4. The first instance was when she had written about Increments for staff and the shareholders representative felt that she was bossy. This mail was also not sent to her but to the MD, who had discussed with her and the email was sent only after discussion with the MD as she is the HR head for the company.

From India, Pune
Dear friend,
If the company has shareholding from a foreigner, then it appears to be big company. Secondly, if the lady in question against whom the shareholder has complained happens to be HR Head then she is expected to handle the matter on her own. Anyway, second opinion always matters and since you have raised the post on this forum, you deserve the opinions from the experts.
If the complaint about the behaviour of HR Head has been made to the MD to the company and that too by a foreign shareholder then it goes without saying that someone from the company has been complaining to him. This complaint could be because the person who leaks news could be doing so because he/she does not have trust on the local management. Of course this may or may not be true.
There are couple of measures that MD needs to take. One is to order enquiry to ascertain facts. An impartial probe by external enquiry officer will be better. Let the facts speak in themselves. The decision of the MD based on the enquiry could be communicated accordingly.
Next is to improve the internal communication or upward communication in the company. There cannot be smoke without fire. Therefore, let the survey be conducted on how HR provide their services to all the departments. The loopholes can be plugged in.
Next is to empower HR department. Possibly HR might not be empowered enough and ordinary staff could be considering that it is HR that is responsible.
Last but not the least, the shareholder may be told that he is investor and his role should be restricted to investment. I have seen MDs allowing investment from all the quarters but they were told firmly that they will not make any complaint about internal administration. They can only point out shortcomings but more than that nothing else. Generally, shareholders are committed certain percentage for their investment. Whichever way the administration is run, as long as they get their dues, they need not grumble. Matter should settle there.
By the way, are you that HR Head who has written the post anonymously?
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

From India, Bangalore
Dear Mr. Divekar,
There are major changes happening the company since April, with a new person, who has been brought in to replace the MD once his contract ends or what ever would the decision of the Shareholders representative be. The decision of the HR is nothing in this company as the rules are changed or bent as per the management specially the new one. The representative wants to take an active role in the companies running and hence has started interfering in the daily working of the company.

From India, Mumbai
Dear friend,
If your MD himself is lame duck MD then nothing can be done as such. It is better to start looking for a new job rather than continuing in the hostile environment.
However, you may establish some direct connection with the foreign shareholder. If you are able to convince him about your potential and the contributions done in the past then you might continue also. Change of MD should not have much bearing on your mind.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

From India, Bangalore
Dear colleague,
I think whole contents of the post does not clarify as to how the said shareholder representative who is foreigner, came in contact with the lady staff? Besides what are the facts about the alleged incident against lady HR head for which the outsider wants her to be terminated without fair and proper enquiry as the lady has refuted the charges?
Unless all the facts of the case are put on the table, any advice is futile.
For now, let the lady demand fair and proper enquiry for which she should show willingness to face.
Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR- Consultant

From India, Mumbai
Dear Sir,
The team in the office is only of 20 members, the share holder is in contact with all staff as he feels everyone should report to him whenever he wants details. As for the lady member as mentioned she was the first team member in the company. Also, when the company started there were only 5 members and there was constant contact in terms of work for atleast 10 days a month. The shareholder visits India every month for 10 days minimum. Should the lady give a written complaint to the Internal Committee. What would the consequences be.

From India, Mumbai
Dear colleague,
It is unusual and rather strange situation that any shareholder is meddling with day today affairs of the business like CEO.
Is he the majority shareholder eyeing to become CEO?
You have once again not provided the details of the incident without which it is not possible to comment whether it falls in the category of sexual harassment and whether you should approach internal complaints committee.
Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR- Consultant

From India, Mumbai
Dear Mr. Nagarkar,
That is the problem, in the email sent to the MD the shareholders representative has said he heard rumors but has not given the name or instance of the same. He has mentioned that he will look into the matter in January end and if proven he will terminate the job.

From India, Mumbai
Dear Teresa,
This is vague . You keep cool and whenever this comes up in future, insist on fair and proper enquiry in which you are given reasonable opportunity to explain your side.
Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR- Consultant

From India, Mumbai
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