|
When do you know that someone has a work performance problem? There are obvious situations where the act itself leaves no doubt. For example, an employee that physically attacks a co-worker without provocation leaves little doubt. But most issues are not quite that stark, leaving managers and supervisors (even co-workers) scratching their heads, wondering "Is that really a big deal?" Take, for example, the person who shows up for work late 10 minutes. If this is the first time the person has been late in a year, we should hardly consider that a problem, although the person has openly "violated" a written rule. Given the various pressures all of us face in juggling home, work and the rest of the parts of our lives, one time minute violation per year ought justify a "thank you" party, not a counseling session. But suppose there is one ten minute lateness this week, and another soon follows, and so forth. When is the exception the rule? Perhaps one important indicator is the following: When you're at work awaiting everyone's arrival (yes, the supervisor ought not be the last one to show up!), are you asking yourself: "Will Frank be late again this morning?" Interestingly, you won't have to look at your note pad to remember the question. The question will simply float into your mind, even if there are more important issues on which you should focus that day. In other words, when you start wondering every morning whether Frank will find still another reason he couldn't show up ("Boy, that traffic is a bear out there"), it is probably well past the time you should have a discussion with Frank about an apparent performance problem. Return to Home Page |