Even the best employees have quirks that can be frustrating for those trying to manage them. But some workers seem to be completely unmanageable. Before you give up on an unmanageable employee altogether, see if you can turn things around with these tips.
Put It in Writing
Clear, written expectations with no room for negotiation are essential for a seemingly unmanageable employee. Also put the consequences for violations in writing so that there are no surprises. If the worker violates the written policy, apply the written consequences.
Choose Your Battles
Sometimes an unmanageable employee simply wants some ability to make his own decisions. To avoid power struggles, show a willingness to compromise on minor issues while keeping your major priorities non-negotiable. For example, you might overlook 5 or 10 minutes of daily tardiness as long as the employee hits all deadlines.
Ask for Help
Engage your unmanageable employee in finding solutions. For example, you might want everyone to stay late one night a week, but that employee finds it impossible to comply. Rather than getting into an argument, ask him to help you think of an alternative that works for both sides.
Create a Written Improvement Plan
Work with your employee to develop a plan for improvement. Set a deadline, such as 90 days, along with clear expectations for what needs to be improved and how. Also put the consequences for not improving in writing, which may include termination.
Reward Your Manageable Employees
Sometimes you can get an unmanageable employee to fall in line by letting him see what he’s missing. When a group of employees complies with a new policy, take them out to lunch or provide another small reward. Make a public show of this, so that your unmanageable employee sees the benefits of working with you rather than against you.
Of course, everyone is an individual. Whether due to power struggles or personality conflicts, you may simply be unable to get through to your unmanageable employee. If you’ve tried everything and are still struggling, it may be time to replace that person.
Need More Staff?
Learn how Custom Staffing can help you find and recruit the best industrial workers today.