how to stop my employees from talking and socializing too much during work hours?

Question

I have just been promoted to manager with 18 employees to manage, I have observed already that several of my employees tend to "socialize" for longer periods of time that I think is appropiate. How is the best way to handle this without alienating myself from them.. I know I am not supposed to be their friend.but I want to be respected and liked.

Answer 1

Employee's are more productive when they are happy. Did you know that?

Employees have been proven to be more productive when they're happy, when they are allowed to take a 15-20 minute cat nap on their breaks, and when they are treated well.

If you want to operate your workplace like the KGB, go for it, but your turnover rate will rise, and your productivity will drop.

Increase productivity by offering incentives, ask yourself if the socializing is actually hindering their work flow or not. Most jobs today people can socialize and work at the same time. If they are wasting time around the water-cooler then gently remind them that you have no problem with the socializing as long as they are getting their work done too.

If you HAVE to say something about it, don't say anything, just give them added responsibilities. If they protest at the new responsibilities remind them of their unproductive socializing.

And honestly man, if you've got a really good employee who busts ***, but shows up 10 minutes late every day and maybe sneaks an extra bit for lunch now and then, Let him. Chances are he or she is one of your top producers and deserves the little extra. I was one of those employees at one time, and my boss took the exact opposite track with me and a good friend of mine (he was always a few minutes late, I took an extra break now and then.) Within 2 months of losing us, she was fired and the new manager asked us to come back.

If you have to be an *** and say something, do it when you see it happening, put a smile on your face, and try to bring it up like a joke. This let's them know you see them not working, without reprimanding them outright and spreading negative feelings through the office.

Finally, it's also been proven that people with office jobs need to spend 15 minutes away from the computer for every hour that they work to avoid health related issues like carpel tunnel syndrome, etc. They need to stand up, stretch, and find another work duty to keep them occupied for a little bit so they do not have trouble later on.

Answer 2

I've got to agree with Doug on this one. I, too was once one of those people who needed to step away from my desk for a few minutes once an hour. My back would hurt, and I found that my concentration was not as good. I would step away. If others were chatting, I would join. If everyone else was being productive at that particular moment I might go outside for a few minutes & do some stretching. In 5-10 minutes I was more than ready to focus and plow through another huge stack of paperwork.

Sometimes I would talk on the phone while I was working. If it was something that I really needed to focus on I did not.

My advice to you would be to observe the actual out-put of those that you feel are over socializing. If they are productive, leave it alone. If they are always telling you that they have too much work to do, or you find that they are keeping others from getting their jobs completed then it might be time to intervene.

Congrats on your promotion.

Answer 3

Well done you!!

However, it's a difficult one, isn't it. Really, I think the only way to successfully manage people is to be their BOSS. Don't worry about being their friend (look at how awful David Brent in 'The Office' was!!). We go to work to WORK. If I were you, I'd sit them down to have a relaxed little meeting and tell them what you expect from them. If you do it respectfully (whilst still making sure they know YOU are the boss - if you aren't that particularly confident, use my trick and PRETEND that you are!! It works wonders), although they may not like the idea, they will respect you back.

I always think that a good idea is to set goals: daily and weekly, individually and as a group. I've tried this one and it really seems to motivate workers to get on with the job at hand.

Good luck!!

Answer 4

Socializing At Work

Answer 5

I have been in mangement most of my life. The first thing to be aware of is that you may be friendly with your employees however, your relationship changed significantly when you became their supervisor. You may not be considered a "friend" even though you might like to think so. Respect is something altogether different. You will need to earn it. It won't come with the title automatically. This is where being "friends" may have to take a backseat to your job. I'm fairly certain my employees are not my friends however, I do care for them and am friendly with them but when work calls, I don't ask them to get something done, I give them instructions with expected results. As for handling them, set guidlines. If employees want to take extended time for breaks, let them punch out and schmooze on their own time. Don't let them guess what the "rules" are suppose to be. As for alienating them...well, you just might because - you're the boss and sometimes bosses are not "nice". But, if they want and need the job, they'll respect your wishes. Otherwise, pull them aside individually, explain your position and if they won't comply, advise them of the penalties - incident report in their file, suspension and ultimately termination. They think it sucks? Calmly tell them that perhaps they should find another job where they'll be happy - I'm sure someone else on the street would be very interested in their job and would have no problem complying with your wishes as the MANAGER.

Answer 6

I think it all depends on the type of business, and reputation you have with customers. If you are a landscaper and customers are observing socializing, even if work is being done appropriately the customer will view this business harshly. If you are in the office, and a competitive edge is necessary, (as it usually is) then the "extra" mile will always be viewed as necessary. However, if you are working in retail and a design or creative thinking project is on the line, the pressure can haunt the workers who do not have a break. Got to feel all employees, tasks and deadlines out- Make sure output is as productive as possible, not just "getting it done".

Answer 7

Remind them they are on the clock, keeping a notebook of incidents. When you feel it's time, call the employee in question into the office with a witness, and talk to them, explaining you have exact times and dates, and have been warning them.

Then see where the conversation goes, if attitude prevails, write them up, if they seem grateful for the break, let them go one more time. Some workers take a little extra break because they feel they work harder than others, and generally do, and you don't want to lose that motivation, so work with it :)

It's all about balance, founded with integrity.

Answer 8

You might try a very direct approach. When you see them chatting, wait a reasonable amount of time (a couple minutes) for them to finish a sentence, then just tell them, "Hey guys.... I know how much you hate it when somebody gets mean about this stuff... so try to keep the socializing to a minimum. I don't want to be a harda** -- and if you help me out here, we can all get more done. If not, they'll replace me with somebody else, and they might be so understanding."

Answer 9

this is not the 1950s. all that dont be friends stuff is a bunch of ****. theres only 1 way to get the people you manage behind you, and that is to get behind them. dont be a little hitler. is the socializing affecting their work? if theyre getting the job done, what difference does it make? if it is, the best way ive seen is to not single anyone out but have a talk with all of them and tell them what is expected of them. remind them and yourself that you were once in their position and come up with a game plan thats reasonable . what ive noticed in all the places ive worked is employees need to feel that they are needed and appreciated. if they dont, they wont care and you cant blame them. part of your job is to inspire, that is if you want to be any good as a manager, and be understanding. everyone grew up with discipline and as an adult, they resent it. try to make that your last recourse. nothing is ever perfect and you cant expect it to be, but ive had some stupid supervisors in my day. the one ive worked under now for over 2 years has not had one problem with any of the 25 people in his crew. he does what i described above and we are all friends. hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 10

You have to step right in and tell them that it is not appropriate for them to be spending so much time socializing without doing their jobs. They are paid to work. It is what the employer expects of them.

You as their supervisor, are expected to make sure that they do their work. The only one you have to impress is YOUR boss! And trust me, you are being watched. You are there to be a representative of your employer. Handle the problem as he would expect you to.

Tell them their (6 month, 1 year, etc) review will be coming up soon, and that unless they want this permanently on their record they had better straighten out now.

They are probably acting out because they feel that they or a friend was more qualified for the position than you are. Don't let them get away with it. You need to be the one in control. They ARE subordinate to you.