Tips in Dealing With Disrespectful Employees
While you don’t want to impose respect among your employees, you expect a cordial and professional relationship. It means that even if you disagree with your employees, you will still communicate well with them. You won’t end up screaming at each other. You also expect them to be somewhat fearful about raising their voices when talking to you. However, you will find employees who don’t seem to care. They will express their discontent in an unprofessional manner. If you’re on the receiving end, here’s how you should deal with it.
Stay calm
You must stay calm during the process especially if everyone is looking at you. You’re still the boss and you know that your employees will determine how you respond to the situation. Besides, if you feel like you didn’t do anything wrong, there’s no need for a radical reaction. Allow the employee to express emotions while you listen. It’s also an opportunity to show that you care and you’re willing to listen.
Ask for a private conversation
Dealing with the situation publicly might not help. Besides, you might touch on sensitive information and you don’t want everyone to know. You would rather ask for a private conversation where you can discuss the issues thoroughly.
Provide clear feedback
When your employee has reached the point of talking back to you disrespectfully, there must be a deeper problem. As the leader, it’s your responsibility to determine what went wrong and how to move forward. Offer clear feedback based on the issues raised and cite sources, if possible. If you can’t settle everything immediately, set another meeting. Be prepared to provide more responses.
Be consistent
Perhaps, the issue is with your management style and how you deal with your employees. If you’re accused of doing something wrong, try defending yourself and emphasize consistency. If the accusation is correct, apologize and promise to do better. You might commit mistakes since things are moving too quickly at work.
Be willing to let go
If the level of disrespect is beyond what you can tolerate, be ready to let that employee go. As long as you have a ground for firing, you should do it. It doesn’t mean that you’re not compassionate. It means that you can’t keep someone in your team who isn’t professional enough. You also don’t want to look small when your other employees have seen the incident. It also tells them that being professional at work is necessary. They can raise concerns without being disrespectful.
Consult with other employees
You may also ask other employees about the incident. Perhaps, you did something wrong or there’s a better way to resolve the problem. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re a terrible leader. It shows that you can accept good advice. You also need a different perspective, especially if emotions are running high.
Hopefully, this incident won’t happen again. Make sure that new employees understand the culture of respect at work. If someone can talk to you that way, imagine what the interaction would be among the employees of the same level. You can’t tolerate a toxic work environment.
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1st and featured image from https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/shutterstock_658068058-1.jpg
2nd image from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9145-employee-disrespect-effect.html
