book

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

Name: 101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager’s Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges
Author: Paul Falcone
ISBN: 9780814413487

by Paul Falcone

April 2009

Intermediate to advanced

320 pages

8h 57m

English

AMACOM

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Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Rules of Engagement
Part I: Uncomfortable Workplace Situations
1. Common Managerial and Supervisory Discussions
Scenario 1: Mediating Disputes Among SubordinatesScenario 2: Appropriate Responses to Requests to Speak “Off the Record”Scenario 3: Promoting a Neophyte into a First-Time Supervisory RoleScenario 4: New Supervisor SyndromeScenario 5: Inheriting an Employee with Disciplinary ProblemsScenario 6: Stopping Attitude Problems in Their TracksScenario 7: Advice Before a Holiday Party or an Offsite Event

2. Individual Appearance and Uncomfortable Workplace Dilemmas
Scenario 8: Bad Hair DaysScenario 9: Inappropriate DressScenario 10: Body Piercing and Body ArtScenario 11: TattoosScenario 12: Halitosis (Bad Breath)Scenario 13: Body Odor from Lack of CleanlinessScenario 14: Body Odor from Suspected Medical Reason
3. Cultural and Religious Differences
Scenario 15: Inappropriate Display of Religious IconsScenario 16: Supervisor Proselytizes to SubordinatesScenario 17: Offensive Food Preparation and Spicy SmellsScenario 18: Euphemisms like “Honey,” “Sweetie,” and “Doll”Scenario 19: Speaking Foreign Languages in the WorkplaceScenario 20: Inappropriate Display of Sexually Explicit MaterialScenario 21: Lack of Understanding of Multicultural Differences
Part II: Poor Work Habits and Job Performance Concerns
4. Performance Transgressions
Scenario 22: Lack of Quality, Detail, or EfficiencyScenario 23: Lack of Quantity or SpeedScenario 24: Substandard Customer SatisfactionScenario 25: Lack of Sales ProductionScenario 26: Failure to Learn New Material During TrainingScenario 27: Acts Resulting in a Loss to the EmployerScenario 28: Failure to Follow Through, or “Dropping the Ball”
5. Policy and Procedure Violations
Scenario 29: Failure to Adhere to Safety RulesScenario 30: Excessive Personal Telephone CallsScenario 31: Excessive Time Spent on the InternetScenario 32: Unauthorized Use of Company Equipment and FacilitiesScenario 33: Working Unauthorized OvertimeScenario 34: Off-Duty Conduct and Moonlighting
6. Excessive Absenteeism and Tardiness
Scenario 35: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: “No Fault” SystemScenario 36: Excessive Unscheduled Absence: “Excuse-Based” SystemScenario 37: Patterning Excessive, Unscheduled Absence Around WeekendsScenario 38: Rolling Calendar Year ManeuversScenario 39: Excessive TardinessScenario 40: Exempt Employees Who Choose to Come and Go as They Please
7. Lack of Requisite Skills
Scenario 41: Inferior Job KnowledgeScenario 42: Lack of Technical SkillsScenario 43: Inadequate Problem-Solving SkillsScenario 44: Substandard Written ExpressionScenario 45: Poor Time ManagementScenario 46: Lack of Organization and Neatness
Part III: Inappropriate Workplace Behavior and Conduct
8. Sexually Offensive Behavior
Scenario 47: Foul Language in the WorkplaceScenario 48: E-Mail MisuseScenario 49: Finding Pornography on an Employee’s ComputerScenario 50: BullyingScenario 51: Discriminatory Comments or Racial EpithetsScenario 52: LeeringScenario 53: Sexual Harassment Findings (Reverse Harassment)
9. Substandard Communication Skills
Scenario 54: Tattletales, Gossipmongers, and SnitchesScenario 55: Whiners and ComplainersScenario 56: Requests for Confidential Conversations from Other Supervisors’ SubordinatesScenario 57: Poor Listening SkillsScenario 58: Failure to Communicate UpwardScenario 59: Establishing Effective Staff Meetings
10. Personal Style Issues
Scenario 60: Suspected Alcoholism or Substance AbuseScenario 61: Inability to Accept Constructive CriticismScenario 62: Lack of Sensitivity and Protocol (E-Mail Censuring)Scenario 63: Badgering and Challenging One’s SupervisorScenario 64: Lack of Teamwork and Relationship-Building SkillsScenario 65: Laziness and Lack of CommitmentScenario 66: Blamers and Excuse MakersScenario 67: Coworker Jealousy and Employees Who Can’t Let Go of Their AngerScenario 68: Supremacists—Arrogance and Superior Attitudes
11. Leadership Style Challenges and Career Management Obstacles
Scenario 69: Stalled Career SyndromeScenario 70: Unwillingness to Confront Problems Head-OnScenario 71: Staff Motivation ConversationsScenario 72: Protecting Your Company from Legal Liability (Documentation)Scenario 73: Inability to Provide Constructive CriticismScenario 74: Handling Group Complaints WiselyScenario 75: Lack of Diversity AwarenessScenario 76: Lack of Leadership
Part IV: Corporate Actions
12. Corporate (Intentional) Actions
Scenario 77: Probationary TerminationScenario 78: Administering Disciplinary WarningsScenario 79: Administering Decision-Making LeavesScenario 80: Termination for Cause (in Conjunction with Progressive Discipline)Scenario 81: Convincing an Employee to Leave Voluntarily When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on FileScenario 82: Negotiating a Separation Package When There Are No Progressive Disciplinary Warnings on File
13. Corporate (‘‘No Fault’’) Actions
Scenario 83: Layoff: Position Elimination—LIFOScenario 84: Layoff: Position Elimination—Lack of QualificationsScenario 85: Layoff: Position Elimination—Union Bumping PrivilegesScenario 86: Layoff: Position Elimination—Department ClosureScenario 87: Layoff: Position Elimination—Plant Closure (WARN Act)Scenario 88: Follow-Up Discussions with Survivors After Layoffs Occur
14. Summary Offenses (Immediate Discharge)
Scenario 89: Employee TheftScenario 90: Selling Proprietary Products on the InternetScenario 91: Time Card FraudScenario 92: Threats of Violence in the WorkplaceScenario 93: Sexual HarassmentScenario 94: Falsification of Company RecordsScenario 95: Insubordination
15. Special Circumstances
Scenario 96: Welcoming Back Employees Returning from a Stress Leave of AbsenceScenario 97: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: IsolationScenario 98: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Suicidal ConcernsScenario 99: Dealing with Employees in Crisis: Homicidal ConcernsScenario 100: Terminating Employees Who Are on Investigatory LeaveScenario 101: Verbally Accepting an Employee’s Resignation
Index

Overview

Inappropriate attire, lateness, sexually offensive behavior, not to mention productivity and communication issues ... these are just a few of the uncomfortable topics bosses must sometimes discuss with their employees.

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