Dealing with poor performance
The key to dealing with poorly performing staff is to help them improve, rather than help them to fail! (see ‘Avoiding Tribunal’)
If you should get to the dreaded employment tribunal, it will be important to demonstrate your efforts in helping the employee to achieve. So have a formal meeting, (record the proceedings to keep on the employee file), explaining the standard of work required and outlining the problems with the way they do their work. (See our Tribunals articles).
Listen to their reasons for their performance, particularly if this has dropped off in recent times. Take the time to investigate their reasons as you may uncover bigger issues. If the problem is a lack of skill or knowledge then training and assistance should be given to help the employee attain the required standard. Make sure before hand that the employee agrees that this support will help them progress to a satisfactory standard, so they know they have a responsibility to achieve. It’s important to have regular formalised progress meetings during this period of retraining, both to monitor progress and ensure the employee knows how well they are doing.
If, after all the encouragement and training, the employee still hasn’t achieved the sufficient standard, you may need to consider dismissal.
For advice or coaching in addressing staff performance or dismissal, contact us using the form to the right, or email info@mgarnerconsulting.co.uk or ring us on 07885 525221.
