Dealing With Poor Employment Performance

What is the Best Way of Handling an Employee With Poor Performance?

Online communication is the wave of the future. It is evolving every day using text, email, Skype, GoToMeeting, some businesses using Facebook and Workplace by Facebook. The list goes on with new platforms arising all of the time. What really drives employee engagement? What is the employee looking for in the area of office or business communication? Today’s workforce is technology oriented, with some form of computer operated device in someone's hands. Businesses need to find the right fit, using good online etiquette.

The scenario: You have an employee who is not working to his/her potential level, as the employer, you have to confront the employee of their unsatisfactory performance. What form of communication tool are you going to use?

Online Business Etiquette

1.       Using email

E-mail is the best professional way to document the notification of an employee with unsatisfactory performance. The first contact to setting up an official meeting. It can be an official document used, if necessary, in the termination process. E-mails can also be used as:

a.       Quick memos

b.       Individual or group contact- to send to more than one recipient.

2.       Using Video

a.       Individual and group meetings

b.       Conference calls

c.       Training Seminars

Using video conference calls can be another professional way of interacting with your employee.

A video can include more than one person if a witness is needed for the first verbal warning. Always document the information discussed.

3.       Using Social Media

Social media is not a proper professional place to contact or communicate with individual employees unless it is during company hours and includes:

a.       Training seminars

b.       Upcoming events

c.       Job openings 

d.       Marketing

4.       Using Text Message

If you use texting as a form of communication in the work place, the best use can be as followed:

a.       Notifying in case of emergency

b.       Giving daily work lists

c.       Notifying of change in schedule

5.       Using good-old Snail Mail

a.       Sending a congratulations card or an official document should be sent via postal service.

 

From the list above an email or video chat can be a form of notification, but when seeing an employee in need of counseling because of poor performance; face to face is the best choice of communication.

 

Please Share your thoughts and what you have found to be an effective way to interact with your employees.

TM