How to Handle Them

Difficult employees are hard to manage, but they should not be ignored.

Here are some guidelines that can help you handle them.

Observe the behavior.

Before actually approaching the difficult employee, you need to observe their behavior.

Consider how their behavior has changed, or how it has been a problem.

Collect facts about the difficult employee's behavior instead of speculating or believing office rumors.

Listen to the employee.

You can have a one-on-one conversation with the employee to listen to what they have to say.

It gives them a chance to explain and may help you identify the cause of their behavior.

For example, they may have personal problems that make them negative.

Or maybe they feel undervalued or are even unaware of how they're acting.

Discuss solutions.

Once you know what is causing their negative behavior, you can come up with solutions for it.

For example, if an employee feels undervalued, you could consider giving them more responsibility.

Addressing the core needs of an employee can improve their behavior.

Follow up with the employee.

After the discussion, regularly follow up with the employee to check their performance.

Throughout the process, you need to offer advice and be supportive.

With regular feedback and guidance, an employee can gradually improve.

But if the employee hasn't changed, you may need to involve HR to take further management actions.

Questions

What should you avoid doing when observing a difficult employee?

> believing gossip about the employee

Why should you spend time listen to difficult employee?

> it gives you a strong sense of the roots of their behavior

How may someone feel if feedback focuses on their personality?

> they may feel insulted

When giving regular feedback to a difficult employee, you need to be...

>supportive 

If an employee feels undervalued, you could consider giving them a challenging task.

To have a one on one conversation with the employee.

Addressing the core needs of an employee can improve their behavior.

If an employer feels undervalued you could consider giving them a challenging task.

Make sure to follow up with the employee to check their performance.

Employee hasn't changed. You may need to involve hr to handle the situation.

If an employee feels undervalued, you could consider giving them more responsibility.

After the discussion regularly follow up with the employee to check their performance.