How to Motivate a Lazy Co-Worker

When you care about your job, it can be frustrating to see co-workers playing solitaire or talking all day on the phone to friends when they are supposed to be working. Even more frustrating is when their laziness bogs down your performance. But there are ways to motivate employees who are less than industrious. Here's how to motivate a lazy co-worker.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make your lazy co-worker feel valued. There is a chance she is goofing off because her position doesn't seem important to the company. Perhaps she is given lots of busywork to do, or none of the other employees involve her in decisions. Ask her input on work-related issues and she might start to feel like the company needs her.

2. Give him work to do. Employees get in the habit of being lazy when they have a lot of downtime. When they finally are handed a project, inertia has already sunk in. Keep him busy with projects that call upon his skills.

3. Scare the lazy co-worker. Mentioning that lay-offs might be on the horizon should light a fire under her.

4. Suggest implementing merit-based raises to your supervisor or human resources. A bonus or pay raise would result if an employee had an outstanding performance review. This is a proven strategy to motivate employees to put on their A game.

5. Complain to human resources or your supervisor if your co-worker's laziness is affecting your own job performance.

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