Due to a promotion opportunity, an employee is refusing to work with a fellow co-worker. The co-worker in question recently had an adulterous relationship with this employee’s husband which led to the employee’s marraige break up and divorce. Relations between the two are very accrimonious. Untill now their work duties did not bring them into close contact and this was acceptable to the employee. This has now changed as promotion will necessitate close co-operation between them. The employee is adament that she does not want to work alongside the co-worker and that if we try and force her to do so, she will have no option but to resign due to constructive dismissal. Her argument is why should should she give up the promotion opportunity when she has done nothing wrong. Would we be within out rights to either turn down the promotion or redeployee either of the two to other duties. against their wishes?
Andrew Monroe