The behavior of a difficult employee can easily infect the rest of your team, so it's important to address the problem as soon as it's recognized. When hiring a new employee, you can ensure that they know it's OK to work from home, but only after giving an immediate supervisor 24 hours notice. Creating a listening environment in which employee feedback (positive and negative) is heard, recognized and acted upon accordingly can create a more positive culture and a happier, more content workforce. Understanding the different types of difficult traits and behaviors helps employers to proactively identify potential problems and report on how best to manage the problem or the person.
However, when there are problems, they must be resolved quickly and in the right way to reduce any toxic impact on team morale and performance and prevent the matter from becoming a legal complaint. The best way to deal with a difficult employee before they cause problems in your business is to not hire them in the first place. For example, if three of your best employees comply with a new policy and you see an increase in performance, publicly reward them with a free meal or something similar. Most people will respond more to potential losses (their bonus, a promotion, or the privilege of working from home) than to potential gains, so be sure to clarify what's at stake if their difficult behavior persists.
If you're not careful, employee behavior can quickly become toxic and spread to other members of your team. You should keep in mind that these types of employees can affect the productivity of the team and if their behavior is imitated by other people who perceive the behavior as acceptable to management. Workplace gossip often starts innocuously, but if it gets out of hand, it can cause a significant decrease in team productivity. When an employee misses deadlines or submits low-quality work, this may be due to a disciplinary or capacity issue (insubordination), depending on the circumstances.
Throughout the process of dealing with a difficult employee, from the first complaint to the exit interview, it's imperative that you document everything. This will help you make sure that you are following all necessary procedures and that any decisions you make are fair and consistent. It's also important to remember that everyone has different motivations for their behavior, so try to understand why they are behaving in this way before taking any action. By taking proactive steps such as creating a listening environment and rewarding good behavior, entrepreneurs can ensure that their teams remain productive and motivated.
It's also important to remember that everyone has different motivations for their behavior, so try to understand why they are behaving in this way before taking any action.
