Join the Wily Manager guys this week, as they talk about Employee Discipline, and how to do it well. No one enjoys it, and many managers don’t fully think through all the way through it, and make it much harder on themselves.
Monday’s Tip: Ensure Expectations are Clear. It doesn’t make much sense to take people to task for things they didn’t know they were accountable for. Ensure you have set clear expectations, and are continually refining them.
Tuesday’s Tip: Document Everything, Every Time. Keep a file on each employee, and write down everything pertaining to performance – even if it is only a verbal conversation.
Wednesday’s Tip: Have a Process for Discipline. You cannot improvise progressive discipline. You need to sketch out in advance the potential courses of action and outcomes of your decisions.
Thursday’s Tip: No Surprises. If you communicate well, then when you are put in a position where you have to take corrective action, the employee won’t be surprised. This will make your life much easier.
Friday’s Tip: Do it for the sake of your good performers. Often employee discipline and/or terminations are met with a chorus of “What took you so long” from other employees. You owe it to them to deal with problem performers.