Employee Relations

Disability is no excuse for poor performance

09/17/2018

Disabled workers are entitled to reasonable accommodations that allow them to perform the essential functions of their jobs. However, accommodations must be related to the disability. They can’t serve as an excuse not to perform essential job functions.

Oh, no! They shoved a ‘weak link’ on my team

09/14/2018

An employee with a history of poor performance is transferred to your department. What do you do? Here’s a systematic approach to helping an employee with a checkered track record get up and running in your department.

Document each stage of progressive discipline

09/04/2018

Employers that have a progressive discipline process, in which discharge can only happen after counseling and a series of warnings have occurred, have an advantage if a terminated employee sues them for discrimination.

Taking a chance on barely qualified applicant? Prepare to document any shortcomings

09/03/2018

You may be tempted to take a chance on hiring someone who doesn’t have the exact experience or education you usually look for. But be careful. If you end up having to terminate the employee, be prepared to show exactly why he wasn’t meeting your standards.

Avoid the perception of bullying: 8 do’s and don’ts

08/28/2018

The growth of anti-bullying laws, policies and public campaigns are making employees ultra-aware to potential bullying situations at work. For supervisors, that means it’s more important than ever to be alert to how your words and actions are being delivered … and received. Here are eight do’s and don’ts:

Burnout! Four main causes of employee stress, and what you can do about it

08/24/2018

You’ve put in the long hours to build a relationship with your team, and to better understand their strengths, weaknesses, motivators and goals for the future. While these are all key components to a successful relationship with your staff, it’s for naught if you can’t proactively prevent employee burnout.

7 steps for effective, stress-free performance reviews

08/24/2018

Performance review meetings can bring anxiety to both sides of the desk. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right planning by supervisors, the meeting can be a productive, morale-boosting exchange. Here are seven steps for running productive and stress-free performance review meetings.

Disciplining employee with spotless record? Document precisely what went wrong

08/23/2018

It’s crucial to document the problem if you suddenly have to discipline a long-term employee who has never been in trouble before. That’s especially true if he or she has also recently complained about some form of discrimination.

Productivity growth hits 3-year high

08/21/2018

Worker productivity grew at its fastest pace in three years during the second quarter of 2018.

When a previously good performer starts to slide, carefully document decline

08/06/2018

When an employer fires a worker for poor performance and the worker sues alleging some sort of discrimination, the employer must be ready to explain any apparent decline in its performance appraisals. That’s especially true if the worker previously received excellent reviews.