How Businesses Can Effectively Handle Troublesome Employees

As inconvenient as it may be, almost every business is faced with a troublesome employee from time to time. This doesn’t always have to be someone outright brash and belligerent; sometimes, the polite and perfectly well-performing employee can become troublesome if they are consistently late to work or spending a little too much downtime chatting away in the kitchen or scrolling on their phone during working hours.

Addressing issues with those employees can feel awkward and difficult, especially if they are unlikely to see it coming. As a manager, it is difficult to know how those employees are likely to react, which can create a lot of suspense and anxiety leading up to that initial conversation. That’s where we come in: by following our simple guide, your business will become a pro at effectively handling troublesome employees.

Schedule Frequent 1:1 Meetings

In the case of a troublesome employee, putting distance between the employee and management is a recipe for disaster. Keeping a close eye on the employee will be the best way to monitor their behaviour with, ultimately, a view to improving it.

Scheduling frequent 1:1 meetings will enable management to keep an open discourse going with the employee. These meetings are not intended to be used to address issues with the employee; rather, use this time to listen to the employee’s thoughts and feelings about their role, team, and the business as a whole, as well as what they have going on outside of work. At the same time, management and human resources (HR) can offer long term solutions and adjustments to manage these issues and set clear expectations for what is expected of their behaviour and performance and how things are expected to change going forward.

Taking the time to listen to your employee will give you a clear picture of how things are in their shoes, which may even help to identify the root cause of their behaviour. For example, if your employee has a sick child or parent, this may help to explain frequent lateness or other kinds of absence. Carrying these meetings out frequently and on a 1:1 basis will help the employee to feel valued and heard and affords them a confidential space to share what they are comfortable sharing with management.

Create a Positive Work Environment

All employees require a positive work environment in order to thrive, so creating a comfortable and welcoming office atmosphere will be crucial, especially for supporting the rehabilitation of a troublesome employee.

Ergonomic Furniture

Creating a comfortable office space is not only about physical comfort, but mental comfort, too. Ergonomic desks and chairs are an absolute must for any modern office space, but it’s the ways you go beyond that that create a truly fantastic work environment.

Biophilic Design

Biophilic office design is one excellent way to bring the relaxation and calmness of the great outdoors indoors by incorporating elements of nature into your internal office space. This technique has been proven to benefit employee mental health and directly contributes to increasing productivity and lowering employee stress levels, which can be instrumental for supporting an underperforming or troublesome employee. Designs that connect employees to nature throughout the working day will boost focus and productivity, making biophilic design not only beautiful, but a worthwhile investment.

Breakout Rooms

Similarly, giving your employees a place to go to take a break throughout the day will massively boost their comfort levels during the working day. Breakrooms provide a quiet space for employees to relax and refresh their mind throughout the day. This can help your employees to combat stress, which will in turn boost their mood at work, creating a more pleasant environment for everybody.

Consider Getting Legal Support

Sometimes, no matter how much you do to support a difficult employee, there is sadly no light at the end of the tunnel. It can be difficult to recognise when it’s time to cut ties with an employee, especially when they have been a part of your team for a long time.

For professional legal advice and support with a troublesome employee, specialist employment lawyers are your absolute best bet for parting ways amicably and without too much fallout. From employment contracts, confidentiality, and employee handbooks and policies to defending employment tribunals, restrictive covenants, and post-termination terms, employment lawyers are well versed in supporting employers in a range of employment law matters.

Ultimately, having the right legal guidance will ensure you stay compliant, protect your business, and feel equipped to handle the situation with confidence and care.