How to Deal With a Cranky Employee
One of the challenges facing anyone in a supervisory position is figuring out how to manage the business part of work while also dealing with a myriad of employee personalities. Nothing says an angry, depressed or just plain apathetic employee can't be good at his job, but learning how to handle him on a personal level can be tricky. If you have a cranky employee on your hands, then following a few simple tips from psychology experts can help you manage a personality conflict in the workplace.
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Instructions
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Show the employee he matters by paying attention to him. When an employee is always in a bad mood, it often points to deeper personal issues or problems outside the workplace. While you may not be able to help these problems, sometimes just paying attention to an employee by saying good morning and asking him about his weekend shows that he mattes, and can be a major step toward cheering him up.
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Avoid hostility. Don't allow yourself to become angry when dealing with this employee, or he will simply become resistant and probably more angry.
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Talk to your cranky employee in a private, relaxed setting. Don't wait for her to come to you -- make the decision to talk as soon as you realize there's a problem. Call her into your office, close the door and have her take a seat. Without being confrontational, explain to the employee that her crankiness is intimidating to everyone around the workplace. Try to make her feel comfortable, and let her know she can talk to you if she ever needs to. Ask if there's anything you can do to make her feel better at work.
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See how other employees feel about the cranky individual. You don't want to gossip, but you should get some feedback to assess the situation better. After all, it's entirely possible the employee is only cranky around you.
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References
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