A member of my retail sales team asked to have her schedule changed so that she no longer works weekends. I hired her 5 years ago specifically to work on Saturdays and promoted her to weekend manager. At my request,she also received a larger pay increase than anyone else in the company. When she requested the move to weekdays, I tried to make this change for her because she is a single mother with a daughter home on Saturdays, and she has been a hard working employee. However, my manager refused the request, given my employee's higher weekend manager's pay. When I told the employee, she blew up at me, told me she was head and shoulders better than anyone else, she was doing all the work, and she should be getting paid closer to what I made. Then she stormed out of the interview, even though I asked her to stay and discuss it further. She went directly to my manager to make her case, but of course got nowhere. How should I handle this?

How badly do you need her?

Sometimes the more people get the more they think they deserve.

I would tell her what you've told "us." I would also remind her that it's employment at will (assuming there's no contract or union) and she can be let go at any time for any reason or no reason.

I would tell her this is warning #1.

I would also draw a line between friend and employee in the event she has received special consideration in the past. Make her happy and you'll make everyone else UNhappy.

See if your manager will allow her to take days, if she takes reduced pay and loses manager title.

I would let it go for now, but if she keeps having trouble, you will have to deal with her.