How to Manage Hostile Employees

A hostile employee is defined as someone who creates tension, disrupts work flow, has frequent angry outbursts, refuses to cooperate with coworkers and supervisors, and exhibits poor work habits and performance. This type of hostile behavior is toxic to your entire workforce and should be quickly dealt with.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Document all unacceptable behavior and poor job performance. You must arm yourself with the facts before you confront the hostile employee.

2. Meet with the employee in private to discuss your concerns. Detail the behaviors and poor performance that concern you. Be specific.

3. Ask the employee to give an explanation for the facts you have presented. You must be prepared for an angry response. Stay calm and restate your case.

4. Outline some solutions to the problem. Give the hostile employee an opportunity to suggest his own solutions. Solutions should be specific and only include tasks under the employee's control.

5. Present a time frame in which improvements must be made. You, or perhaps a senior employee in the work group, should monitor the hostile employee on a regular basis.

6. Type up a memo outlining the unacceptable behaviors and poor performance. Include any actions the employee needs to take and the time frame given for improvements to be made. The employee should receive a copy and a copy should be placed in his or her personnel file.

7. Hold a meeting with the employee at the end of the specified time frame to review the behavior and performance. Congratulate the employee on any improvements. Be prepared to terminate the employee if they have not changed their behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect clinical depression or drug or alcohol abuse, the employee should be referred to an Employee Assistance Program. You can't help them improve their behavior or performance if these types of problems are present.
• If you believe the hostile employee has the potential to become physically violent, have at least one other supervisor or a human resources representative sit in on the meeting with you.
• Hostile employees who make threats to co-workers or supervisors should be referred to your human resources and security departments. Don't ever think they are just kidding or letting off steam.

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