It can be easy to judge underperformance, and quickly come to the conclusion that dismissal is the only option. However, if you can identify what is causing the problem, you can turn performance around.
So, what should you consider in underperformance?
Expectations – have you clearly articulated what you want your employee to do, and how you expect it to be carried out? Job descriptions and operations manuals can be very helpful in supporting this. But don’t underestimate the power of spending time talking to them, and following it up with an email to remind them of the key points.
Skills – does the employee have the ability to fulfill their role? Talk to them and find out if they are struggling. They may benefit from some refresher training, or just need help with handling a specific task.
Time management – is the employee overwhelmed, and struggling to prioritise? Do they overpromise? Or underestimate how long tasks are going to take?
Motivation – is your employee engaged? Do they want to do a good job? What motivates them, and are you offering that motivation?
Praise – have you fallen into the trap of focusing on the underperformance, and forgotten to praise what your employee is doing well? They may wonder why they should make any effort if they can’t do anything right.
Be realistic – are you guilty of “getting a bee in your bonnet” about this member of staff? Are they really as bad as you think, or are you unfairly criticising everything about them? Be clear about what is really unacceptable, and what you should let go.
The role – when was the last time the actual role was evaluated? It is very easy for jobs to evolve over time, and increasingly more tasks are added. It can then become very unwieldy, with a mishmash of duties, which it is difficult for any one person to perform. The role, as it stands, may not even be right for the business any more, and may need restructuring.
Of course, at the end of this, you may still decide that your employee is just not right for the role.
If you would like help with evaluating underperformance in your business, please contact us on 01256 328 428.