How to recognise unsatisfactory job performance
One of the most important and demanding responsibilities facing a manager is evaluating the performance of staff. It should be an ongoing day-to-day activity: without such knowledge, a manager cannot make sound decisions on promotion, transfer, training, counselling, or even dismissal. Identifying poor employee performance is particularly important because it can indicate the need for remedial action. To identify unsatisfactory performance, consider the following...
1. Be alert for the signs.
When an employee's work perform-ance diminishes to an unsatisfactory level, the cost to both the employee and the organisation can be significant. From time to time, staff may exhibit one or more of the unsatisfactory indicators which are listed below and many of these can generally be addressed by the manager in consultation with the staff member.
For some of the more serious indicators, however, or when several signs recur in the same employee, a session with the organisation's employee adviser or counsellor may be warranted.
2. Assess the obvious signs of diminishing performance.
There are numerous outward signs of a poorly performing employee:
- excessive time required to complete work tasks
- missed deadlines
- untidiness in the workplace
- high accident rate
- decline in the quality of work
- complaints received from other staff and customers
- wasted materials
- indications of tiredness, loss of enthusiasm, and decline in concentration
- erratic performance
- lapses in fulfilling requests, tasks, and responsibilities
- increasing failure to attend to detail
- poor decision-making and judgement
- overall decline in standards.
3. Examine attendance patterns.
The factors indicating unsatisfactory attendance would include:
- consistent lateness
- early departure
- absences after weekends and paydays
- extended lunch breaks
- increased absenteeism
- frequent time off
- decline in organisation-related social activities.
A poor attendance record could be a symptom of more serious problems.
