"An unaddressed spark soon becomes a fire." -Treivor Branch
Problem employees often rear their heads in the form of bossy co-workers, lack of respect for authority, poor work ethics, and the list goes on. These employees pose a significant risk to the morale, productivity and ultimately the profits of any company. So what can you do?
The best way to deal with problem employees is EARLY! Allowing an employee's poor behavior to go unchecked is a big mistake. Always remember, an unaddressed spark soon becomes a fire. Document the employee's poor behavior and meet with the employee privately as soon as you notice the issue. Present the facts and focus squarely on the problem behaviors.
Every company, large or small, should have written policies regarding employee conduct and performance. These policies should be communicated early, as soon as a new employee joins the company. During your meeting with the employee, remind the employee of the company's code of conduct. Establish clear guidelines regarding behavior going forward and clearly state the consequences for non-compliance - up to and including termination. Always document the discussion, agreed upon expectations, and consequences for non-compliance.
Problem employees show up in every workplace, however, addressing their behaviors early can keep a spark from becoming a fire.
