Page 325 - Business Principles and Management

44681_12_ch12_p295-321 pp4.qxd 2/16/07 9:35 PM Page 312

Unit 4

12.4 Dealing with Employee Problems

Goals • Describe how managers should
• Recognize when and how to deal respond to employee rules
with the personal problems of violations.
employees.
• Discuss why work rules are needed Term
in organizations. • work rules

ometimes employees face personal problems that affect their work. In most
cases, the employee is able to resolve the problem, and the manager doesn’t
Shave to take any action. At other times, a manager just needs to be sympa-
thetic by listening to employees and showing an understanding of their situa-
tion. These situations occur infrequently, such as when an employee has an ill
child or is late to work because of a transportation problem. Many businesses
develop procedures that allow employees to deal with those types of problems.

Handling Difficult Personal Problems

Managers are increasingly confronted with some personal problems of employees
that are more serious. Problems such as drug or alcohol abuse, conflicts in per-
sonal relationships, or serious financial difficulties may result in employees being
unable to perform their jobs well. Some of the personal problems have effects
beyond the individual employee and begin to affect the performance and morale
of coworkers. In those situations, managers must do more than give the employee
an opportunity to resolve the personal issues.
Managers need to be aware of employees who are having difficulty on the job
and try to determine the reasons for it. Then they need to work with the employee
to get the necessary help to resolve the problem even if it is a personal issue.
Most managers are not trained to solve difficult personal problems, and they
should not attempt to do so. But they should not ignore the problems either. Many
businesses offer professional counseling and other services to help employees with
personal problems. Managers need to make employees aware of those services and
the importance of solving personal problems before they affect job performance.
Managers should encourage employees to use the services available in the company
when the problem first occurs. Then the manager should support the employee’s
decision to seek help. That usually means treating the problem confidentially and
providing some accommodation for the employee’s schedule while he or she works
to solve the problem.

CHECKPOINT
What should managers do when confronting a difficult personal
problem of an employee?

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