How to Deal with Employee Insubordination
No employer likes having a direct work order disobeyed but it happens. Before you blow your top and fire the insubordinate employee, make sure that he or she does not have a valid reason for not carrying out his or her job. If you fire a worker who was justifiably concerned for safety or a legal matter, you could find yourself in hot water.
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Instructions
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Determine that it is true insubordination, not just an personal problem that is bleeding over into the workplace. A problem can be fixed but a flat out, foot-stomping refusal is a challenge to your authority.
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Talk to the employee alone. The last thing you need is an irate employee who files a suit and claims that you degraded him or her in front of the other employees.
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Maintain an office where you (and any others) are easily visible through a window to prevent accusations of assault.
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Correct a safety issue and then deal with the employee. A safety breach could get you fined, or worse, especially if the employee is a trouble-maker. Thank him for his concern and fix the problem. If the man is looking for more trouble, find a job-related reason to fire him.
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Tips & Warnings
Give employees suffering from a personal problem a little slack. It will build company loyalty in the long run.
Get rid of an employee who is repeatedly insubordinate. Allowing this type of person to remain in your employ emboldens them. These people often jump from job to job.
