Telling an employee that their work needs improvement is one of the most difficult parts of any manager’s job. On one hand, you don’t want to drive away good talent – or potential – due to a simple misunderstanding. On the other, it’s your job to push your employees to bigger and better things. While it can be a difficult line to balance, there are some tips to keep in mind when doing so.
Don’t Make it Personal
Although an employee may take your words personally, it’s important to reiterate the fact it’s just business. In most cases, this is enough to cool any tempers and calm any anxiety.
Communicate as Soon and as Often as Possible
As a manager, it’s all too easy to avoid the situation entirely. However, this is never beneficial in the long run. Instead, approach any struggling employees as soon as possible. If necessary, schedule a closed–door meeting between you and the employee in question. This might help you get to the root of the problem and fix it for good.
Don’t assume their actions were intentional
Never assume an employee’s poor performance is intentional. Remember: Accidents do happen. Moreover, all of us have bad days that could affect our productivity from time to time. It’s important to take all of this into consideration before approaching an employee who appears to be struggling with their daily responsibilities.
Consider Their Past Performance
Finally, don’t forget to take into account the employee’s past performance and reputation with your company. Not only will this help you identify any recurring issues, but it can give you guidance on how to proceed – either with termination, supplementary training, or something else entirely.
How Mega Force Can Help You
The professionals at Mega Force can help you locate, recruit and retain top talent in your chosen industry. We offer initial skills testing and training for certain disciplines, so you know you’re receiving qualified workers, and we can work with struggling recruits whenever their performance starts to suffer. For more information, or to get started right away, contact us today to work with a top staffing agency in North Carolina!
