What to do with a Problem Employee
Written by Jon on September 3, 2011 – 11:49 pm -“Sometimes, the hardest decisions made is the right thing to do.“ – Yanny Natashaw
The key to owning a successful and profitable business will depend on your ability to develop a team culture where everyone shares your vision and goals of your salon.
No business can continue to grow in a negative salon environment. One negative person in your salon can disrupt your business, your team culture; cause you stress, and affect the success or failure of your business and the livelihoods of your other team members as well.
How do you manage a person who wants to go solo and not be part of your team?
Many salon owners would say, fire them. Before you make that decision, I suggest you first try to find the causes of their behavior and then try to redirect their behavior and give them an opportunity to change.
They may not even be aware that their actions are detrimental to your business.
Think of all the time and effort you made when hiring this individual, you must of saw some good qualities. The question is why is this individual performing poorly?
First of all I do not believe people get up every morning and say I think I want to fail today. I truly believe most hairdressers do not perform poorly on purpose. They just were not educated properly, after all you hired them, you may have to share in some of the blame.
Did you provide the mentoring and guidance for this individual? Did you monitor their performance and help them improve their skills? Did you establish a positive and professional work environment? Did you provide them with an employee hand book? Did you establish conditions that foster loyalty? Did you work hard keeping them busy?
The following tips on dealing with a problem employee will answer some of your concerns:
Identify the problem — clearly define why this individual refuses to be part of your team. Once you identify the problem write it down on a note pad making sure you make make them aware of your concerns , then document your efforts in helping your staff member become a valued member of your team.
Communicate — always keep lines of communication open between yourself and your team members. Make sure you act immediately when you see them drift away from your policies. Make sure you let them know that your door is always open if they need help.
Performance Review on the Owner — from time to time , conduct a one on one performance review, by asking the question how am I doing as your boss. Give them an opportunity to feel that you do value their suggestions, then listen to their answers.
End the performance review on a positive note letting them know that you value their hard work and are an important part of your team, and how everyone has to follow the rules of your employee handbook and team culture.
Personal Problems — many hairdressers perform poorly due to personal problems. Perhaps give them a couple days off to attend to these problems. Show sensitivity to the needs of your team.
How Can I Help — ask your problem employee what you can do to help them. Work to find a solution .
Allowing Yourself to be Held Hostage — many salon owners tolerate this kind of behavior because they fear losing this hairdresser and clientele to a competitor. Appeasement is not the answer. allowing this behavior to continue will cause your other staff member s to lose faith in your leadership and management skills.
Exit Interview -– if they refuse to change their behavior, and do not want to be part of your team, find out why they want to leave so you can learn from this negative experience.
If after you have exhausted all your efforts to turn this individual around and they persist in this negative behavior, then you really must terminate this individual. Your staff will appreciate your leadership and efforts in creating a positive and professional salon culture. You will also send a clear message to your other staff members that you cannot accept this kind of disruption.
Yes there are some people that just won,t follow your educational guideline no matter hard you work at trying to turn them around. Remember this, you are the boss. Don,t miss my intensive all day business seminar in Palm Springs, Calif. on Monday September 26 . Click here for complete information.
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