Bad Employee Behavior

When employees exhibit bad behavior, they disrupt the work environment for those around them. They also risk giving the company a poor reputation. As such, employers usually do what it takes to correct bad behavior before it gets out of hand.

Significance

Employers generate employee handbooks and corporate codes of conduct to illustrate what types of employee behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable in the workplace. Employees are bound to the terms outlined in these documents, or they face the consequences for noncompliance.

Definition

Bad behavior is when an employee does not follow the behavioral parameters set by his employer. According to an article by McLane, Graf, Raulerson and Middleton Associates, there are many causes for negative employee behavior, such as stress.

Types

Bad employee behaviors may be categorized as negligent, irresponsible, immoral, unethical or unprofessional.

Effects

Employees with bad behavior can negatively impact their coworkers’ ability to concentrate in the workplace, and can even impact coworkers directly if they are victims of harassment or abuse.

Solutions

Bad behavior should be dealt with immediately by supervisors or the company’s HR department. Bad behavior left unaddressed can have more serious effects down the road.

References

• McLane, Graf, Raulerson and Middleton Associates: Preventing Disruptive, Threatening and Violent Behavior in the Workplace