Dealing with problem employees – a new perspective

By Darryl Stewart Head of the Herd

This past week I met with a senior manager in one of Manitoba’s largest developmental service agencies.

We talked about dealing with the problem employees that can be found in any workplace. I outlined my process for dealing with these situations and he outlined his. We used different language, but it turned out we both had a very similar approach. “Our” approach has three possible outcomes.

1) The situation improves to an acceptable level

2) The person quits

3) The person is terminated

After we talked through this process, I asked him what he thought the typical results were, how many people improved, how many quit and how many had to be terminated.

He had a great answer “that depends on how good a people person you are and how committed to other people’s success you are.”

His answer reminded me that it is most definitely not all about process. Process is important, but the attitude of the person delivering the process is just as important.

If you would like any information on the process we use to deal with problem employees, drop me an email [email protected].

IBEX Payroll extends our profound respect and immeasurable gratitude to all the ancestors and keepers of the land on whose traditional territories our work takes place. We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people. This land is sacred, historical, and significant.

Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past, what we do in the present, and what we can do to continually honour the people whose lands and water we benefit from today.

This statement only acts as a first step in honouring the land we reside on and its peoples, and must be paired with education, understanding and informed action.