Getting best from employees
I’m going to tell you a story how employers can get the best employees to fit their business.
The busy season is approaching. Our employer is short staffed. After placing an ad, they were able to find and employ a keen new staff member. The employee started out as such a keen worker. However, within days, things changed.
First it was the requests for more money, receiving pay in advance, getting some assistance to pay a few bills.
Then it was turning up late to work, taking a sick day and wanting to be paid, followed by mocking the employer’s values and the rules he has in place for the workplace.
Soon it became telling the employer what they wanted to do, what they wouldn’t do, and what the employer could do if they didn’t like it!
Obviously by this stage the employer was extremely stressed. What had they done to deserve this treatment? How do they deal with it?
The first step was calling a meeting and advising the employee that the topic was insubordination/misconduct and poor work performance.
This was provided in writing and given two days in advance of the meeting.
The employee was invited to bring a support person and this was all in accordance with the well completed employment contract.
However, the employee chose not to have a support person when they fronted for the meeting and in brief, told the employer ‘‘not to be such a loser’’.
The employee was issued with a written warning for serious misconduct and informed that any further such behaviour directed towards the employer would result in their dismissal. Very shortly thereafter, this employee no longer worked for this employer.
So what are the key points to take from this story? Never rush your interview process. No matter how busy you are, always conduct a thorough interview process and check out references fully. Make sure the person will be a fit with your business.
Have a thorough orientation process. Always take time to fully induct a new employee and let them know exactly what the rules and standards of the business and workplace are. Ensure you have the employment contract completed prior to the employee commencing work.
So take heart, the Employment Relations Act is a great tool to help good employers.