he goes 'Actually, it's a lot easier now he's gone because I don't have to spend time managing him. He didn't really do that much and I can easily take on his work. Maybe we shouldn't bother recruiting?'

'Here it comes', thinks I and - sure enough - 24 hours later he's back telling me he'd need a massive pay rise in order to take on 'all this extra work'. Seems a bit nonplussed when I point out that he's already told me it's easier now this other bloke's gone and that he didn't do much anyway. On the basis of what he's said, I say, there can't be any justification for replacing the underling or for giving him a massive payrise.

Grumpiness ensues.

Silly cvnt.