- So Liz, Molly – big plans for the weekend?

Eggs, bunnies — the youzh. It’s snowing in Boulder now.

- Wow! Well, so I wanted you to bring you the latest from my talks with Stephanie.

Run it down!

- She wants to come back. She wants the pay raise I never gave her when she stepped into Sandra’s job, and she wants to go back to being a Marketing Analyst. She wants an employment contract.

That makes sense.

- Really? I don’t even have an employment contract.

Yeah, but you haven’t been fired unceremoniously on a whim, either. If there were ever a person in the world who should have an employment contract, it’s Stephanie. You should have one, though. Your VPs should all have contracts, and probably other folks too. Want to put that on our agenda?

- Definitely. So anyway, what would you think Stephanie’s contract would include?

The usual items are a package in case the wind changes direction and she’s released from the company, and beyond that just whatever salary and benefits she gets. It’s just a security blanket. It will take your lawyer no time to put something together.

- So you think I should do it?

What do you think?

- I’m inclined to do it. I’ll guarantee her salary for six months in the unlikely event that I fire her again.

Make it a year. You’re the one selling her – you’re the CEO and this has been your major topic all week. It’s also your major employee relations issue right now.

- I’ll ask her what she wants in terms of salary continuation in the very unlikely case that we have a repeat of what happened this week.

And her benefits — put some health insurance continuation in there, too.

- Who are you guys working for? Just kidding.

We’re working with you, Brian. The outcome that gets you what you want is the outcome we’re shooting for. That’s why you coach with us.

- I know it. It’s just been a hard week.

For sure. Listen, have you talked to Sandra about Stephanie’s possible return?

- No. I’ve called her but I know she’s busy with the baby.

Get ahold of her and walk through everyone before you make Stephanie an offer to come back. Remember, she works for Sandra, not you. It’s hard enough being out of touch from the office on maternity leave without feeling that people are making big decisions without consulting you.

- Okay. But Sandra said she was devastated to lose Stephanie.