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Across the Fence:  Advice please...What to do with a crappy employee?  |
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Linder
True Blue Farmgirl
592 Posts
Linda
Lake Forest
IL
USA
592 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 05:18:19 AM
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Ladies,
I need some solid advice.
I have just taken over supervision of a large household. The employees I am supervising have never been supervised and are basically out of control.
I am looking for gentle lovin ways to make this transition and barring that some good old fashioned DIPLOMATIC ways of kicking some behind!
Any ideas would be gratefully received.
Hugs,
Linder
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 06:34:35 AM
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Well, I think there's always going to be some buck to a new system, and if you're TOO kind about it, you might get run over. As an employee, I've always been geared towards, "listen to the boss", even if I thought they were insane, and if I could work in that environment, I did, but if not, I found new employment.
Whenever we've had new managers (especially when I worked for a large insurance corporation) they would have a meeting with each department, or all together and let them know "who they were"...and asked US what we would like to see change in our day to day work environment (could be procedure, could be benefits, whatever)...Brainstorming. Because you know that even though there isn't any supervision, SOMEONE in that group thinks there should be, and when you reach one, you start the ball rolling. You may lose a few, and that's alright--weed em' out. But, once you establish structure, you'll have more satisfied, secure employees...the environment they're in right now isn't productive, so it promotes chaos.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 06:45:31 AM
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I agree with Jonni~
and I would add this~ Life is all about choices and sometimes we need to be reminded of that. I would simply set them down,Go over what thier job descriptions are and the conduct and expectations then really let them know that you hope that they will "choose" to work with you, but if not you may choose to find someone who will. Choices!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
"Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo
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Linder
True Blue Farmgirl
592 Posts
Linda
Lake Forest
IL
USA
592 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 06:45:55 AM
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I was thinking along those lines but literally this is my 3rd day solo and one of my girls flipped out yesterday! ugh. We'll see what today brins! Thanks for the advice Jonni!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 07:21:39 AM
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I have found that also being honest will go a long way in getting folks to understand where things stand. I understand that today folks are not the most reasonable but I have also found that if I do not dance around too much and just tell them the truth I get much better results. I agree to also explain to them that things are changing and they can get on board or find a place that would better fit them.
I hope your transition gets smoother. Keep smiling.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 11:51:36 AM
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we are finding that with our new employees (we jsut bought a business) that asking nicely at first sometimes works and doesn't.If not, then we either have to fire them or put them on probation. A good system works well only when the employees work well. :O) take heart. the job searching is always slow and there are an abundance of good people out there looking for a job so no one is unexpendable!
hugs and good luck
jess
Farmgirl Sister #235
http://crshelpmeet-heartssong.blogspot.com/
Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.
The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug. -- Mark Twain |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 5:01:16 PM
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Linda:
I agree with everything Jonnie wrote. I would also Kill that employee with kindness, but watch your back!
Hope everything gets better soon for you.
Keep us posted.
Marly |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 6:48:46 PM
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First off Linda-- what kind of business IS it? You didn't really say.
If you have a lot of employees to manage one VERY important thing is CONSISTANCY! The office where I used to work (medical) was a total NIGHTMARE because our office manager was not consistant in dealing with each employee equally. (and anyone who's ever worked in the Medical field knows how unrully, self righteous and PIG HEADED people in that field can be) He allowed this one to get away with one thing, another to get away with that, and he was always trying to "punish" those of us who did our jobs and minded our own business. It was confusing, FRUSTRATING and downright UN-pleasant to deal with. I LOVED my job, but I did NOT like HIM!!!
Another important thing is that you have to EARN the respect of those employees, it will not be AUTOMATICALLY given, though some will be more respectful of your postition than others. If you deal with them kindly and fairly-- but FIRMLY, you will go a long way to making the work atmosphere a pleasant one. And, like Jessie said, you may have to do some "Weeding." All it takes is ONE rotten apple to spoil the sauce!!! And business is only as good as the people who run it. If the employees aren't happy and content and able to do their jobs willingly, capably and without constant supervision, then you will have a NIGHTMARE on your hands! Good luck, and please keep us posted. Hugs ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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Linder
True Blue Farmgirl
592 Posts
Linda
Lake Forest
IL
USA
592 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 7:39:41 PM
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Girls, you're amazing! Thank you so much for all the advice. My philosophy has always been to get in, get the lay of the land and wait on the changes. However it was not to be this time. I have chosen to proceed in a loving manner and divorce myself from the outcome.
BTW, I am an Estate (HOUSE) Manager. I work in private homes and supervise housekeepers, nannies, chefs and a variety of vendors.
The issue in this household is my girls have been running rampant and it's time to reel them in. Oddly, they like it the way it was. Imagine that! LOL!
Again, thank you so much. I will take all your advice to heart.
Lotsa Love,
Linda
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" |
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Across the Fence: Advice please...What to do with a crappy employee? |
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Advice please...What to do with a crappy employee?
