3 Things You Can Do When You're Concerned About An Employee
As the boss, you’re the one responsible for the team of people you pull in around you. You want them to know what they’re doing, and to have experience in bringing in results. That’s why you hired them in the first place: the skill they bring to the role.
But you also want to know they’re going to be a good fit within the company culture. That they’re a team player, but can take the initiative when it matters. And when you find the right employee, all of these qualities will be innate.
But what will you do if you notice their performance start to slip? Maybe they come in late a few times? And maybe they’ve even taken some sick days beyond their agreed PTO?
At a time like this, you’re going to need to remember your responsibilities as the boss and act. So, here are 3 things you can do when an employee’s conduct causes concern.
Start with a Chat
Communication isn’t only the first step, but also an ongoing requirement that every member of your organisation should be keeping up with. And that includes you!
So, first thing’s first, pull your employee into the office for a chat. Let them know there’s nothing to be worried about, but that you would like to touch base on a few things you’ve noticed recently.
Listen more than you talk, and make sure there genuinely is no reason for the employee to fear any reaction or consequence to what they admit.
Put Them on a Performance Improvement Plan
Once you’ve gotten the conversation going, and you’ve provided a more informal warning about what needs to change in the way your employee approaches their work obligations, you can look to put them on a performance improvement plan (PIP).
This is an official process within your business that helps your employee to identify what’s going wrong, and what they can do to improve and progress off of the plan.
It’s very much an ongoing work scheme that keeps everyone in the loop as to what needs to happen and when, and helps to keep communication transparent for all involved.
Hire a Private Detective
It may not be something you ever thought you’d need to do, but sometimes you do need to find out a bit more about what’s going on in an employee’s life.
Especially if you’re concerned that this employee has been stealing from you, or accessing private data they’re not authorised to look at or use.
Of course, you don’t want to overstep any legal boundaries here, and that’s why hiring an expert firm like Private Detective London is the best choice here.
Indeed, using surveillance on an employee can only be done if you suspect they are committing a crime, and the best private investigators will be able to walk you through your options otherwise.
When an employee causes concern, talk to them, support them, and only take things further if you have reason to.
Image source: Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels.
