Employee Quits Over Missed Graduation: Was I Wrong?

The most heartbreaking story unfolded when I refused to let the best employee attend her college graduation. It may seem like a reasonable decision, considering I manage a team responsible for customer support. With a new product launch, we had to provide service beyond our regular hours. And so, one day, when our office was closed, some team members had to come in. Unfortunately, the employee with the lowest seniority had a college graduation ceremony on that very day, after attending night classes to earn her degree. I suggested she find a replacement for two hours, but no one stepped up. I did make an exception for someone with concert tickets, but this situation felt different.