should I demote an employee who can’t do her job? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes:

I have a staff member who was promoted beyond her capability. I have tried coaching her, and she simply does not have the skill or aptitude required for the job. I do think she could work in her original role — but to have the budget to replace her, she would need to take a significant pay cut. Is this ever advisable?

My instinct tells me it should be avoided because it runs the risk of causing bitterness, bad attitude, etc. But it feels unkind to fire someone because of how I guess she might respond.

I answer this question — and three others — over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here.

Other questions I’m answering there today include:

• How can my company let candidates know we’ll accommodate their religious needs?
• If I give bigger gifts this year, am I setting a precedent?
• Alerting contacts’ kids to career opportunities