Sometimes, the wrong person is hired. That person may not do anything egregiously wrong — or maybe the person has been with the company for so long that he or she has figured out how to stay under the radar while doing subpar work. Regardless of the reason, you have several strategies to try to resolve the situation:
- Identify that person’s strong points and put them into a more suitable role if one exists or can be created.
- Identify specifically why this person is not an ideal employee. Set targets for that person to make measurable progress in weak areas and provide the resources to facilitate development.
- Speak with HR about a stronger tie between pay and performance.
- Ask the person if he or she really wants to work for the company. Then, ask the individual to explain why you would ask such a question.
- Ask the person what they see as their role in the company, how they might be falling short in fulfilling that role, and what they can do to improve.
- Be frank about the employee’s poor performance, and then ask what he or she needs from the company to improve it.
About the Author
Mark Lamendola
Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.
Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.
Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.