A team is only as strong as its weakest link. Probably no team has only excellent employees: team members compete amongst themselves and someone just has to be the weakest. But how to manage those whose performances are rather below average and who go to work only for the money? The Business Matters website advises how to deal with such people ethically and in a friendly manner, without your team suffering.
Some employers are quite tough when dealing with such negligent workers but this approach presents a number of risks; therefore, it is better first to explore all other options before threatening the employee with dismissal.
Make your doubts clear
Arrange an informal meeting with the employee. Restrain your discontent and first explain your doubts and try to work together to identify possible causes of the underperformance. Perhaps the employee simply has not undergone any training or has some family problems. Is the employee problematical long-term or just temporarily?
Establish a performance plan
Once you have clarified your concerns, it is wise to create a performance development plan, including clearly defined objectives. Remember to give details of the possible consequences if the plan is not respected and, of course, set a date for a results review.
Escalate emphasis
What if the employee's performance does not improve? Even in this situation, it is important that you remain professional and fair. Depending on the nature of the situation, you may choose the following typical disciplinary sequence:
1. verbal warning
2. written notice
3. final written notice
4. dismissal
The last option should be really a last resort, once all other options have been exhausted.
Keep a written record
The employee should receive each call to a meeting in writing; similarly, a written summary should follow after the meeting. This way you create an important defensive tool, should the employee subsequently claim that he or she was unlawfully dismissed. Hopefully, thanks to a well managed procedure, you will avoid this scenario in the future.
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