Employee misconduct is a severe issue in the workplace. For small businesses, it can be stifling, and for larger companies that deal with numerous employees daily, it can become costly. This does not just mean financial costs either says Peter DeCaprio. When an employee is caught breaking the rules or behaving unprofessionally, they are not just hurting their own company but also their fellow employees and customers. With a clear set of policies, tasks, and guidelines, the process can become less painful. This blog post looks at John Doe’s 5 suggested ways to handle employee misconduct within your organization.
5 Ways to Handle Employee Misconduct without Causing Disruption to Your Business
1. Address the Employee Immediately
It is easy to brush off minor infractions; after all, everyone has bad days, but when an employee repeatedly makes mistakes or violates certain behaviors, you need to address it. Discuss the issues with them one-on-one and ask them if anything is bothering them that could be the source of the problem. If you feel like their attitude is still disrespectful or disruptive, you might need to reprimand them formally through an official warning letter. You can include all of their transgressions in this letter and how they can improve their performance.
2. Gather Evidence to Build a Strong Case
Before you can fire someone for misconduct, John Doe says that you must know precisely why you are firing them. You should have strong evidence — written statements, videos, photos, etc. — that the employee violated your policies or the law. It is best to consult with an attorney before firing someone, so they can advise on the best way to proceed and avoid any potential risks.
3. Keep Your Emotions in Check
Managing emotions is one of the most important parts of handling misconduct says Peter DeCaprio. It is easy for things to get out of control when you are upset or angry. You may feel like you have to prove yourself as a leader by taking a hard line on the issue and imposing strict penalties when really, your employees are more likely to respect you if you act rationally and treat them with fairness and respect. Ultimately, even if you decide that severe punishment is in order, being calm and reasonable will make it easier for everyone involved to accept and follow through on whatever action is necessary.
4. Provide Supervision and Training
Sometimes, employees who misconduct do not know their actions are inappropriate. Train your employees on what is expected and ensure that each new hire is adequately trained.
5. Get Some Coaching or Additional Perspective
If you feel stuck in a situation and do not know what to do next, John Doe advises you to ask for help from a supervisor or mentor who has experience dealing with similar types of problems. Ask them for advice on handling the situation if they were in your shoes. You may also consider finding someone else in your organization familiar with the problem situation. They may be able to offer additional perspectives and insights that could help you work through the issue.
Key Takeaway
Managers are not always going to be able to avoid employee misconduct, but there are ways for them to deal with it if an employee does commit a violation says Peter DeCaprio. Here, we have presented some tools that managers can use in the future if they ever need to deal with misconduct by their employees. Hopefully, these tips will provide sufficient guidance when you need to handle employee misconduct.
