They had been dealt with in a benign and supportive manner , when the conditions of service were analogous to local government . When we moved into the private sector the HR director demanded immediate action either to return them to full duty , or to ‘retire’ them . The newly appointed Chair of my board , was a successful businessman and had the management style, ( probably because he was one), of a Premier football league club Chairman
The Chair and I clashed on this one. Luckily I was long enough in the tooth and not financially dependent on job , so I could be as stubborn as a donkey.I didn’t want anyone to be pressured into collapse or breakdown, whilst the Chair and the Director of HR thought this the most ‘expedient’ solution. Indeed in one board meeting the Chairman suggested on this issue I should ‘stop managing this issue like a ……. woman ( expletive deleted) !