If a member of your team has expressed suicidal thoughts, it is important to take immediate action. The following steps will help to maintain the person’s safety: Ask to speak privately with the person. Express your concerns about their statements or behavior. Stay away from medical terms like “depression” or “mental illness,” as these could…
Emotions may be running high in the weeks surrounding an election. People may have strong feelings on both sides about the campaigns, the candidates, and the results. You and your co-workers may be: Talking more about the election or what might happen Checking the Internet and social media sites for updates more frequently Avoiding people…
Knowing how to provide constructive feedback is a valuable management skill. Feedback is most effective when it: Is clear, specific, and timely Maintains a positive focus Avoids undermining confidence Offers broad strokes and helpful tips Targets areas for improvement Minimizes nitpicking or micromanaging Focuses on improving performance rather than punishing mistakes Effective feedback often includes…
Losing a colleague under any circumstances is difficult. The death may bring back issues you thought were resolved. Here are some common reactions: Disbelief. Realizing that someone who shared your daily life is gone may be disorienting. The sense that something is missing can be strong. Sadness and anger. The death of a colleague may…
Social or political tensions that boil over could result in a workplace confrontation. Conflict could develop between employees or cliques with differing views, or between an external party (such as a customer or vendor) and an employee. Here are some tips for handling both types of disagreements. If the confrontation is between two or more…
As election season heats up, disagreements between colleagues may become more pronounced. Fundamental differences in political and ideological views can sometimes result in strained work relationships. These tensions may increase in the lead-up to or aftermath of an election. Often, these personality clashes aren’t just about specific issues in the news. They may also be…
Learn how to recognize and appropriately address mental health concerns in the workplace. At any given time, approximately one in five adults is coping with some form of mental health issue. Common concerns include: Depression Eating disorders Obsessive-compulsive disorder Anxiety Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Bipolar disorder Borderline personality disorder (BPD) Schizophrenia As with a physical…
If an employee is engaging in erratic or out-of-character behavior: Don’t ignore the behavior. Unusual behavior is often the first sign that an employee is having difficulty with meeting performance expectations. Document the behavior. If the frequency of incidents is increasing, or if you see a pattern forming, consult with Human Resources. Review company policy.…
Does a member of your team have a body odor or other personal hygiene problem? Keep these points in mind. Steps to Take If you receive a complaint from one or more team members, say that you will address the situation. Remind the complaining person(s) to avoid saying or doing anything that their colleague might find…
Every job requires a certain amount of problem solving. Figuring out what a customer or colleague needs and coming up with a solution that keeps the transaction or project moving forward is the primary objective of many positions. For managers, understanding common approaches to problem solving may provide insights into the best ways to address…