Did you know that more than 65% of America’s workforce feels unmotivated at work? This is alarming on many levels!
A considerable percentage of disengaged employees can be challenging to manage. From individuals who do not complete their work on time to those who want to question their managers’ authority, difficult employees decrease productivity and company morale.
When handling such employees, it is important to remain collected and to be fair. Continue to read to learn more about how to manage difficult employees.
Speak with Authority and Respect
As a manager, you are responsible for your team’s productivity and work quality. It is never an enjoyable task to speak with an employee about his or her behavior, but it is a necessary component of your position.
When managing difficult employees, always remember to treat them with respect. Listen carefully to what they have to say. Show difficult employees that you care and are listening to their concerns.
Disciplinary action is often required in such situations, and it is essential that you make clear your expectations in an authoritative way.
Explain to difficult employees that their behavior is affecting the company in a negative light. Additionally, highlight that if they continue to behave in such a way, this can affect their employment.
Discover the Root of the Issue at Hand
As you speak with the difficult employee, try to discover the root of the issue. You may even want to consult with the employee’s teammates to get their perspectives.
You can ask the employee directly why they are behaving the way they are, though some employees may try to defend their actions. Explain to the employee that you are only trying to help so that future issues can be avoided.
Once you get to the root of the issue, have a meaningful discussion with the employee about how to improve. What steps need to be taken to ensure a conversation like this never happens again?
Monitor The Employee and His or Her Behavior
Thoughtful and authoritative conversations are just one component of the managing process. After you and the employee have come to an agreement about goals, it is important to continuously monitor the employee and make sure his or her behavior improves.
Seek feedback from the employee’s team members and inspect their work. If improvements are made, show your appreciation to the employee. If they do not, termination may be an inevitable solution.
Management Can Be Hard Work
Managing employees can be exhausting and stressful. This is why many small businesses have collaborated with PEOs to outsource aspects of Human Resources. Partnering with the best PEO for small business can assist in disciplining difficult employees.
How to Manage Difficult Employees and More
How to manage difficult employees is one of many business topics we highlight. Additional topics include things to consider before hiring a digital marketing company and the differences between non-exempt and exempt employees.
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