Dealing With an Employee Who Keeps Receiving a Warning

Every company has policies to ensure that all employees are doing what they’re supposed to do. It protects both the employees and the company. These policies also serve as a guide if there are conflicts and other issues. The rules must be clear to all your employees since the start. In most cases, employees violating the rules will receive a warning. It’s applicable to simple violations and misconducts. The warning will help stop the employees from committing the same actions in the future. If several warnings were given to an employee, it’s no longer normal. Here are a few things you need to do to prevent the problem from happening again. 

Talk to the employee

Perhaps, the warnings are no longer sufficient in making your employees do a better job. It might be time to have a conversation about it. The violations might also be in protest to the policies set by the company. If not, the employee might go through personal problems, and it requires understanding. The only way to get to the bottom of it is by having a serious conversation. 

Enforce the consequences

You might be too lenient with your employees because you don’t want them to feel bad. You also understand that there are reasons behind the violations made. Simple problems like being late might be easy to forgive. However, if it happens all the time, you can’t just let it go. You must enforce consequences to teach a lesson. Follow whatever is on your guidelines. If the penalties are clear, these employees have no reason to complain. 

Consider removal from the position

If it becomes worse than anticipated, it might be time to consider removal from the post. You can’t tolerate the behavior since it’s no longer appropriate. It doesn’t matter even if you consider the employee an asset. It’s even more critical for serious offenses. You can’t think twice about it, especially since other employees might do the same. They will think that you condone such actions or you’re not tough enough as a leader. Don’t allow them to push you around. 

Change the responsibility 

Not everyone applies for the post they want. Others are still figuring out what works for them. At some point, the employees might not be happy about what they’re doing anymore. They go to work to earn money. They’re not passionate about what they do. Perhaps, a change in responsibility can spark that fire again. If the employee will feel good about doing other tasks, try to make it happen. Besides, the company will benefit from it. 

Warning signs are there to ensure a change in behavior. In most cases, one warning should be enough. However, if the employee keeps doing the same mistakes, you can’t be tolerant. You still want to run a professional working environment. As long as the rules are clear and everyone was informed before working with the company, you can enforce them.

Photo Attribution:

1^st and featured image from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/thmb/BV_lR4vTFkFh3C84PuHaZxcC5LU=/2576×2576/smart/filters:no_upscale()/meeting-the-manager-931422154-5aaabbec18ba01003716d486.jpg

2^nd image from https://www.hrdirectapps.com/blog/how-to-successfully-handle-an-employee-disciplinary-meeting/