In our last blog, we talked about the reasons a great employee can turn negative.  Once negativity has festered, it can be difficult to get rid of.  One employee’s negativity can have drastic effects on morale, and can easily spread to other employees.  Unhappy, negative employees can directly impact productivity, which can hurt any business’ bottom line.  To avoid this downhill spiral, consistent negative behaviors should be addressed immediately.  That’s where Human Resources comes in.

One of an HR professional’s most rewarding tasks is turning around negative or underperforming employees.  Often times, negative employees just need someone to talk to who will listen to and understand their problems, whether those problems are personal or professional.  By getting an employee to open up, HR can get to the root of the problem and can help the employee down a more positive road.  Is an employee unhappy with new management staff, or struggling with a personality conflict with a coworker?  A sit-down discussion might be in order.  Overwhelmed by problems at home?  Time off work might be needed to sort those out, via vacation or a leave of absence.  Referral to an employee assistance program (EAP) may also be appropriate.  Upset about a missed promotion?  Employees might only need to hear that their hard work is still recognized.  Many negative employees will be turned around by these simple solutions, but sometimes further attention is required.

If HR’s best nice-guy efforts do not yield results, schedule regular follow-up meetings.  At the first meeting, ask if the employee is happy with the company and would like to continue working there.  If the answer is yes, explain that you would like to keep the employee on board, but the attitude must improve for the good of the team.  Explain that if the attitude doesn’t improve, it will have to be reflected on the next performance review.  Continue to check on the employee’s progress and recognize any positive steps.  Follow through with any threats of discipline.  With quick action and proper attention, HR can play a critical role in turning around negative employees before the problem becomes contagious.

Carefully cultivating and managing a business’ workforce positively affects a business’ bottom line.  A solid HR foundation will help your business motivate employees with the most effective employee engagement and performance management programs.  That’s where a knowledgeable Go-To HR resource, such as YES! Your Human Resources Solution, can help.  With our specialized guidance, YES! strategies will develop your employees to their full potential.  When employees feel valued, your bottom line will enjoy reduced employee turnover, absence, and health care costs.  Let YES! increase returns on your most critical investment—your workforce—so you can focus on driving business results.  See for yourself what we’re all about!  Contact us today for a free consultation.