Divorce in the workplace: A difference of opinion

Since Other People's Problems was published several months ago, we've probably sent out upwards of 2500 press releases to potential purchasers.  Until now, no-one has objected or given us any feedback.  That all changed a few days ago. 

The press release in question is headlined: "What do you do when 50% of your workforce is going through a nasty divorce?"  Someone we'll call Jerry took exception to this.  Here is the e-mail he sent us:

"Take me off your list!  Employees who are going through divorce, in my experience, often immerse themselves in work.  I have never had a problem with one.  Indeed, many work harder to avoid the impact of divorce and make sure that they are as financially secure as they can be."  Jerry then goes on to suggest he has sometimes found that it is the people who are secure in their lives who tend to slack off more. 

I was rather concerned about Jerry's feedback until I went and re-read the press release.  In addition to the headline, the text goes as follows "Small companies can ill afford such disruptions.  If you have two employees and one is going through an acrimonious divorce, that's 50% of your workforce."  What Jerry has unfortunately missed here is the difference between the amicable, 'it's-sad,-but-let's-be-mature-about-this' divorces and the ones that are anything but. 

For a smaller company, one employee going through a nasty divorce can just about destroy the company as productivity plummets and client work suffers.  Such an employee does not have their mind on the job.  If the spouse is not returning children from visitations on time or is refusing to allow the children to attend visitations, or the spouse has gone and unlawfully changed locks on the former matrimonial home, or is denying access to possessions, etc. etc., then the employee will unlikely be working harder because their time will be taken up on the phone or out of the office, dealing with the problems.  Ditto if they're having problems with their divorce lawyer; a huge amount of time can be taken up for these things.

While we value Jerry's feedback, it's unfortunate he didn't notice the distinction we were making and that there are different types of divorces.  He is probably right, based on his own experience and if he hasn't been the victim, as an employer, of an acrimonious divorce, then he has been very fortunate.  Some small-business owners are not so lucky...

To purchase a copy of Other People's Problems, go to the following link.
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/other_peoples_problems/9268001