101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager’s Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges

Table of contents

1. Cover Page
2. Title Page
3. Copyright Page
4. Dedication
5. Contents
6. Preface
7. Acknowledgments
8. Introduction: The Rules of Engagement
9. Part I: Uncomfortable Workplace Situations
   1. 1. Common Managerial and Supervisory Discussions
      1. Scenario 1: Mediating Disputes Among Subordinates
      2. Scenario 2: Appropriate Responses to Requests to Speak “Off the Record”
      3. Scenario 3: Promoting a Neophyte into a First-Time Supervisory Role
      4. Scenario 4: New Supervisor Syndrome
      5. Scenario 5: Inheriting an Employee with Disciplinary Problems
      6. Scenario 6: Stopping Attitude Problems in Their Tracks
      7. Scenario 7: Advice Before a Holiday Party or an Offsite Event
   2. 2. Individual Appearance and Uncomfortable Workplace Dilemmas
      1. Scenario 8: Bad Hair Days
      2. Scenario 9: Inappropriate Dress
      3. Scenario 10: Body Piercing and Body Art
      4. Scenario 11: Tattoos
      5. Scenario 12: Halitosis (Bad Breath)
      6. Scenario 13: Body Odor from Lack of Cleanliness
      7. Scenario 14: Body Odor from Suspected Medical Reason
   3. 3. Cultural and Religious Differences
      1. Scenario 15: Inappropriate Display of Religious Icons
      2. Scenario 16: Supervisor Proselytizes to Subordinates
      3. Scenario 17: Offensive Food Preparation and Spicy Smells
      4. Scenario 18: Euphemisms like “Honey,” “Sweetie,” and “Doll”
      5. Scenario 19: Speaking Foreign Languages in the Workplace
      6. Scenario 20: Inappropriate Display of Sexually Explicit Material
      7. Scenario 21: Lack of Understanding of Multicultural Differences
10. Part II: Poor Work Habits and Job Performance Concerns
    1. 4. Performance Transgressions
       1. Scenario 22: Lack of Quality, Detail, or Efficiency
       2. Scenario 23: Lack of Quantity or Speed
       3. Scenario 24: Substandard Customer Satisfaction
       4. Scenario 25: Lack of Sales Production
       5. Scenario 26: Failure to Learn New Material During Training
       6. Scenario 27: Acts Resulting in a Loss to the Employer
       7. Scenario 28: Failure to Follow Through, or “Dropping the Ball”
    2. 5. Policy and Procedure Violations
       1. Scenario 29: Failure to Adhere to Safety Rules
       2. Scenario 30: Excessive Personal Telephone Calls
       3. Scenario 31: Excessive Time Spent on the Internet
       4. Scenario 32: Unauthorized Use of Company Equipment and Facilities
       5. Scenario 33: Working Unauthorized Overtime
       6. Scenario 34: Off-Duty Conduct and Moonlighting
    3. 6. Excessive Absenteeism and Tardiness
       1. Scenario 35: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: “No Fault” System
       2. Scenario 36: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: “Excuse-Based” System
       3. Scenario 37: Patterning Excessive, Unscheduled Absence Around Weekends
       4. Scenario 38: Rolling Calendar Year Maneuvers
       5. Scenario 39: Excessive Tardiness
       6. Scenario 40: Exempt Employees Who Choose to Come and Go as They Please
    4. 7. Lack of Requisite Skills
       1. Scenario 41: Inferior Job Knowledge
       2. Scenario 42: Lack of Technical Skills
       3. Scenario 43: Inadequate Problem-Solving Skills
       4. Scenario 44: Substandard Written Expression
       5. Scenario 45: Poor Time Management
       6. Scenario 46: Lack of Organization and Neatness
11. Part III: Inappropriate Workplace Behavior and Conduct
    1. 8. Sexually Offensive Behavior
       1. Scenario 47: Foul Language in the Workplace
       2. Scenario 48: E-Mail Misuse
       3. Scenario 49: Finding Pornography on an Employee’s Computer
       4. Scenario 50: Bullying
       5. Scenario 51: Discriminatory Comments or Racial Epithets
       6. Scenario 52: Leering
       7. Scenario 53: Sexual Harassment Findings (Reverse Harassment)
    2. 9. Substandard Communication Skills
       1. Scenario 54: Tattletales, Gossipmongers, and Snitches
       2. Scenario 55: Whiners and Complainers
       3. Scenario 56: Requests for Confidential Conversations from Other Supervisors’ Subordinates
       4. Scenario 57: Poor Listening Skills
       5. Scenario 58: Failure to Communicate Upward
       6. Scenario 59: Establishing Effective Staff Meetings
    3. 10. Personal Style Issues
       1. Scenario 60: Suspected Alcoholism or Substance Abuse
       2. Scenario 61: Inability to Accept Constructive Criticism
       3. Scenario 62: Lack of Sensitivity and Protocol (E-Mail Censuring)
       4. Scenario 63: Badgering and Challenging One’s Supervisor
       5. Scenario 64: Lack of Teamwork and Relationship-Building Skills
       6. Scenario 65: Laziness and Lack of Commitment
       7. Scenario 66: Blamers and Excuse Makers
       8. Scenario 67: Coworker Jealousy and Employees Who Can’t Let Go of Their Anger
       9. Scenario 68: Supremacists—Arrogance and Superior Attitudes
    4. 11. Leadership Style Challenges and Career Management Obstacles
       1. Scenario 69: Stalled Career Syndrome
       2. Scenario 70: Unwillingness to Confront Problems Head-On
       3. Scenario 71: Staff Motivation Conversations
       4. Scenario 72: Protecting Your Company from Legal Liability (Documentation)
       5. Scenario 73: Inability to Provide Constructive Criticism
       6. Scenario 74: Handling Group Complaints Wisely
       7. Scenario 75: Lack of Diversity Awareness
       8. Scenario 76: Lack of Leadership
12. Part IV: Corporate Actions
    1. 12. Corporate (Intentional) Actions
       1. Scenario 77: Probationary Termination
       2. Scenario 78: Administering Disciplinary Warnings
       3. Scenario 79: Administering Decision-Making Leaves
       4. Scenario 80: Termination for Cause (in Conjunction with Progressive Discipline)
       5. Scenario 81: Convincing an Employee to Leave Voluntarily When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on File
       6. Scenario 82: Negotiating a Separation Package When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on File
    2. 13. Corporate (‘‘No Fault’’) Actions
       1. Scenario 83: Layoff: Position Elimination—LIFO
       2. Scenario 84: Layoff: Position Elimination—Lack of Qualifications
       3. Scenario 85: Layoff: Position Elimination—Union Bumping Privileges
       4. Scenario 86: Layoff: Position Elimination—Department Closure
       5. Scenario 87: Layoff: Position Elimination—Plant Closure (WARN Act)
       6. Scenario 88: Follow-Up Discussions with Survivors After Layoffs Occur
    3. 14. Summary Offenses (Immediate Discharge)
       1. Scenario 89: Employee Theft
       2. Scenario 90: Selling Proprietary Products on the Internet
       3. Scenario 91: Time Card Fraud
       4. Scenario 92: Threats of Violence in the Workplace
       5. Scenario 93: Sexual Harassment
       6. Scenario 94: Falsification of Company Records
       7. Scenario 95: Insubordination
    4. 15. Special Circumstances
       1. Scenario 96: Welcoming Back Employees Returning from a Stress Leave of Absence
       2. Scenario 97: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Isolation
       3. Scenario 98: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Suicidal Concerns
       4. Scenario 99: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Homicidal Concerns
       5. Scenario 100: Terminating Employees Who Are on Investigatory Leave
       6. Scenario 101: Verbally Accepting an Employee’s Resignation
13. Index