There are many factors that can contribute to the underperformance of an employee. They may be experiencing trouble outside of the office that is affecting their work. They may have not been as stellar a candidate as they appeared in the interview. Or they may be unable to keep up with added responsibilities as their position grows. Before you decide to fire them there may be ways to turn their performance around and help them contribute to your company. How can you improve the return on investment in your current employees? Here are a few ideas.
- Be clear. Explaining the problem to the employee may be the hardest step but it is also the most important. So many managers have a fear of confrontation that they may resort to passive aggressive communications techniques. This is unfair for the employee and doesn’t effectively communicate the issue at hand. Be up front with an underperforming employee about your issues and provide solutions.
- Confirm. You need to understand what they already know about the situation. Your underperforming employee may not be aware that they are missing any essential functions or conducting their job incorrectly. Talk to them about their own expectations and share yours.
- Engage. Often an underperforming employee does so because they are no longer challenged or engaged by their job. It may not be that they can’t do what they are assigned but that they are bored with the level of engagement it provides. Rather than punishing them, offer alternatives that may help them get back on track.
- Appreciate. Finally, it is extremely important that you show your employees gratitude for the job well done. Appreciation, rewards, and encouragement are essential to operating a smoothly running organization. You can offer bonuses, of course, but other forms of employee recognition can also be as effective.
Do you need to take action against an underperforming employee? CornerStone Staffing Agencies in Fort Worth TX can help today!
