Do you have a poorly performing staff member?
When an employee is not performing, it’s very easy to blame the person. But is it really all their fault? The problem could lie within your staff management system.
If your management system is in need of a review, the following points may be helpful.
Selection process
Do you have adequate processes in place to ensure that you employ suitable people in the first place? As well as having the skills and experience, do they have the right attitude? Are they a good cultural fit with the values that define your business? A square peg in a round hole can very quickly disrupt productivity and workplace harmony.
Induction
How a person is treated in their first 4 weeks of employment makes a long-lasting impression. Is your induction process structured and well-organised?
Communicate your expectations
Supply a good job description. A short, well thought out, meaningful document is ideal. Take the time to discuss the job description with your employee and articulate very clearly what you expect, including associated performance measures.
Staff meetings
A well-organised weekly staff meeting has many benefits. It allows people to communicate and solve problems in a structured way. Most staff find good staff meetings very motivating and a useful way of keeping abreast of key activities impacting their role.
Holding staff accountable
Are you measuring performance and holding staff accountable? What are the consequences of poor performance? What reward/recognition program do you have in place for staff who are performing well?
Make it easy
Is it easy to be highly productive in your organisation? Is all your equipment, including computers, high quality and fully functional? Are workflows well-organised? What could you do to help your employees be more productive? Put yourself in the shoes of your employees and see what you come up with.
Training
You need to invest time and money into training. A highly trained and skilled workforce will set your organisation apart and contribute to staff satisfaction and high retention rates.
Staff appraisals
Employees need regular feedback and coaching. Your team needs to be learning and improving all of the time.
Set a good example
Employees will very often copy the behaviour of their employer and other staff members. Walking the talk with your company’s values will pay dividends.
Suitable remuneration
It is necessary to pay a fair and reasonable salary. Staff will often underperform if they know they are not being paid adequately. In most cases, you don’t have to pay a premium, but you do need to pay at least the industry average.
Last Updated: July 2024
DISCLAIMER: The above information is for guidance purposes only. Vetlink takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, which is not intended as advice.