People Management
People are sometimes unpredictable and can make life more complicated than you need it to be as a business owner. When you’re running a business you need to keep your eye on it and don’t have the time to deal with disruption from within.
When your ‘jobs’ include planning, prospecting, marketing, negotiating, managing people, managing physical resources, purchasing, payroll and several others the unpredictable employee causes pain.
But it’s the employer’s legal responsibility to deal with the employee sensitively and in accordance with the law. Calling them into a glass-walled corner office for a ‘pull yourself together’ pep talk will solve nothing.
When an employee with a previously good track record seems to be going off the rails it may be the result of a change in circumstances outside the workplace. For example, in 2013/2014 112,070 households applied to local authorities for homelessness assistance in England alone, but many people who are made homeless don’t know how to ask for help. It’s certainly not a status that they would be quick to share with an employer.
Many people are reluctant to share problems directly with people who know them, but find it easier to talk to someone they don’t know. There’s a relief to be gained from being able to share a burden while knowing that there won’t be any personal judgement.
Remember also, if the problem is related to timekeeping or attendance, that your employee may be reliant on someone else for transport and it may be them who has become unreliable.
To manage people effectively requires knowledge of employment law or access to someone with the knowledge and tools that you need when you need them. That’s why many employers in small and medium sized businesses are increasingly outsourcing their HR function to specialist firms instead of opting for a service that only gives advice. We can help you help your people so everyone gets the best results. HR Hound’ management services help you manage your time most effectively but helping your staff when something happens to throw them off course. All confidential and at arms length from the business ensures little problems do not turn into major incidents.