When Things Go Wrong: Payroll
I thought today I would get a little personal and pull back the curtain of my business, Pet Nanny-Pet Sitters of The Main Line.
I feel like the advice I learn from the most, is that which comes from real life, actual experiences of others who have been through it. Well, I’ve had quite a difficult week, so I thought I would share my experience and what I have learned from it.
The Problem: My payroll company not paying my staff…. AGAIN!
The writing was on the wall for quite some time in regards to this issue. The owner of our payroll company was a college friend and football teammate of my husband. We have had a fabulous business relationship with him for 7+ years, when out of nowhere things started to happen like, delays in payroll deposits, calls and emails not being returned and… the unemployment office calling him and telling them that they were going to audit me, for which he did not tell me about. (Yup! That actually happened.) I could go on with an endless laundry list, but I think you get the picture.
So anyhow, this past week, my staff of 35 wonderful pet sitters did not receive their deposits, yet again. It took me a full week of going back and forth with him to get them all paid. I had sitters threaten to quit. My poor assistant had to field countless inquiries about the deposits all week long, while trying to keep everyone calm and still keep on top of her regular duties.
The Aftermath:
Our relationship with him is now broken and my credibility with my staff is tainted. AWESOME! 😉
First Lesson Learned: Fire quickly!
I have written about this before in regards to our team of sitters, but it holds true with other professionals on our teams.
I knew in my gut that this relationship had gone sour over a year ago, but I chose not to listen to my intuition and so, I had to pay the price.
Second Lesson Learned: For the love… Listen to my gut!
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” Albert Einstein
I whole-heartedly believe that we as humans have been given the special gift of intuition. I know that my intuitive mind screams at me in a high-pitch blare and yet, I still choose to ignore it time and time again. I think in my personal situation, it’s mostly due to fear of hurting anyone’s feelings. I struggle with this, for sure! As a business owner though, I most definitely need to stop my incessant “people-pleasing” and make the tough decisions that are necessary for the health of my business. No more Mrs. Nice Girl!
The Solution:
I hired a new payroll company and wrote a heartfelt apology letter to my staff. Though I don’t think the apology letter will mend what has been broken immediately, they at least know how sorry I am and that I have now done everything in my power, so that they don’t have to experience a delay with their hard earned pay again.
Your Homework Assignment: If you struggle with listening to your intuitive mind, here are some great articles to read…
- http://tinybuddha.com/blog/hear-intuition-dont-know/
- http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Trust-Your-Instincts-Listen-to-Your-Intuition
- http://www.rebellesociety.com/2014/03/21/2014-03-21-listen-to-your-heart-7-ways-to-trust-your-intuition/
