Anyone who has managed employees can usually recall with clarity those individuals who were their “Problem Employees”. If you’re like me, you’ve often wondered why some employees were problems and other weren’t. Well, truth told, many problem employees became that way simply because their negative behaviors were rewarded (ignored) instead of being punished (corrected).
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts at hiring or promoting the right person, there will always be those individuals who are difficult, problem employees. Bottom line – it’s your job as a manager to deal with them; if you don’t, it only gets worse over time. Here are some examples of the various types of problem employees I’ve encountered followed by tips on how you may want to handle them:
Types of Problem Employees
The “Goof-off”. This employee is usually obvious and easy to spot. They spend a lot of time chatting with others (hanging around the water cooler), playing card or video games, surfing the net, making personal calls, etc. Sometimes their behavior is more subtle; it takes the form of stretching out work they like while never getting around to the work they don’t enjoy. They … Read more
The alleged primary purpose of performance reviews is to enlighten subordinates about what they should be doing better or differently. But unfortunately, the outcome of a performance review is often something quite different.
Managers and bosses who have no experience or training in how to properly conduct a performance review often use the review as intimidation aimed at preserving their authority and power advantage. Such intimidation is unnecessary inasmuch as both parties know the boss ultimately has the power with or without the performance review.
Two People, Two Distinct Goals
The mind-sets held by the two participants in a performance review often work at cross-purposes. The boss wants to discuss where performance needs to be improved (while the subordinate is focused on issues as compensation, job progression, and career advancement. The boss is thinking about missed opportunities, skill limitations, and relationships that could use enhancing; while the subordinate wants to put a best foot forward believing he or she is negotiating pay.
All of this puts the participants at odds, often times talking past each other. At best, the discussion accomplishes nothing. More likely, it creates tensions that carry over to their … Read more
Being a good employee doesn’t happen by accident. There are things that people do that make them the employees that companies find invaluable. It isn’t what is on your resume to makes your boss keep you, but instead it is what you do on the job.
If you perform as you should, you will most likely keep your position. But for most people, they want more. You cannot be mediocre at your job and expect to get the first promotion that becomes available. Here are some tips that will help you stand out from your coworkers:
Don’t be on time. Instead, arrive at your job fifteen minutes early in order to prepare for your work. This allows you time to greet your boss and your coworkers, and get your mind prepared for the work ahead. Also, if you are running a bit late, you will still be “on time.”
Always be professional. Some fun on the job at times is great. It keeps moral high and lets everyone enjoy their work. A joke now and then is fine. But remember that the work place is not a playground. Stick with the task … Read more
Protecting Your Company With Employee Background Checks
Did You Know 30% of job applications contain false information and the 75% of employees whosteal from employers do so repeatedly? Did you know that 20% of workplace death is linkedto drug or alcohol use? These are frightening statistics. So how do you protect your companyfrom falling victim to employees who exhibit these behaviors? Enter the Employee BackgroundCheck.
What is included in an employee background check?Types of Employee background checks include:
Consumer Credit Reports
Criminal History Record
Drivers’ History Report (DMV)
Education Verification
Employment History Verification
Foreign Nationals Terrorist Sanctions Search (OFAC, CLFST & OSFI)
Identity Verification Search
Incarceration Records Search
Military Service Verification
Cursory Nationwide Criminal Index Database Search (CNID)
Many other types of background checks
Why should you do background checks on your employees or potential employees?
You, as an employer, are entitled to know who you are hiring before you make an offer andyou are also legally obligated to know the backgrounds of the people whom you hire. Failingto put an employee through a thorough background check not only puts your company at riskbut also creates a negligent hiring liability that may threaten your … Read more
There are three players when it comes to employee engagement. The employee himself provides the starting point. Secondly, the organization can support or teardown engagement levels by the structures and policies it has in place. Finally, the employee’s manager likely plays the biggest role.
The focus here will be on what managers can do to impact employee engagement.Here are seven engagement drivers from Great Lakes Profiles on how managers cantake action today and have a positive impact upon their employee’s engagementlevels at your organization:
1. Pride in the Organization — The manager must positively, honestly, andcontinually communicate your organizational strategies, values, and successes inthe delivery of your product or service to employees. She should take time to talkwith her employees about what brought them to your organization, and define theirvalues, mission, and definitions of success. When genuine success stories are shared,employees have a sense of pride in being part of your organization.
2. Job Fit — The manager makes clear how employees’ performance align withyour overall company strategy and goals while positively reinforcing success. Thisinvolves making sure all information that would benefit employees gets to them asquickly as possible. When employees … Read more
