What do you do if your subordinate doesn't finish the job in time?

Question

Even after he agrees to do the job, he doesn't even start for a week. Later on, he make excuses like "I am busy doing other things". This bad work habit has been going on years. I don't want to ask him to do things every day like mother treats a spoiled child. Then, he will get used to being treated like that and he will never do anything unless he is pushed to do it by telling him several times. I want to show him how a person become responsible. What should I do?

Answer 1

Are you giving him tasks with DEFINITE due dates? Or just, we need this done.

Many companies make the mistake of piling on work, but never setting realistic project end dates or "rating" the jobs their workers need to get done.

When giving him a task, set due dates. Tell him you must see a rough draft/outline in 1 week (or whatever). When that is done, tell him that he must have "x" done by another date.

It sounds to me like he needs some guidance to prioritize his days. Maybe sitting down with him and expressing your concerns and asking him to write down all his daily/weekly/monthly responsibilites. Then sit down with him and help him prioritize.

I had a boss who was a "great thinker" at any one time I could be working on 20 different "projects" on top of my daily duties. I quickly learned to keep a list of projects, and my regular duties handy, so that when he popped in asking about the info for some far-flung project I could pull out my list and ask him where my priorities should be. It always worked to let him see just exactly what I was working on.

Now, when I give my staff projects, I prioritize for them. Telling them exactly what needs to be done first and when it needs to be done. So, if they do not reach the due date, and have no good reason, I know I need to have a "come to jesus" talk with them about their future in my company.

Good luck, he may just be a skirter.

Answer 2

What do you do when other employees do a good job on time? Clearly this is a case of lack of motivation. You need to first reward good behavior and then punish bad behavior. Secondly, if this bothers you personally, you should simply stop assigning him jobs that have deadlines. Maybe you can assign him to scrub toilets or something until he learns to shape up. The fact that this has been going on for years says that managers have simply neglected to pay attention to this employee for many years without reprimand or terminating his employment. You should do ask him what can be done for him so that he can finish all of his projects on time. You should try to make any reasonable accomidations for him and then track his improvement with periodic performance evaluations. If nothing improves, you know what to do.

Answer 3

Ask him why he didn't get it finished, give clear express deadlines and reminders of these deadlines. Make sure that they understand the implications for both the business and themselves in not meeting those deadlines and if they consistently fail to meet deadlines then threaten disciplinary while being prepared to follow this up according to your companies disciplinary procedure. Speak to your HR Dept or worker about this.

Answer 4

On the flip side of that, it may be more productive to quit making a fuss about having to help someone who needs it, because if that's all it takes then why complain?

Answer 5

1st you show him the right way to do something than you ask if he understand and if he can qontinue on his own explain also that if he dont do it he wil get verbal warning 3x then written warning 3x then you fire his lazy dumb *** and afterwards you can proofe that you did do everything humanly possible to help him its a good thing to get youre paperwork in order to proof what you did

Answer 6

If he is your subordinate, then fire him. If you cant fire him, then trust someone else with the work.

Answer 7

aiyah... simple ma... send warning letter... threaten to sack them

Answer 8

fire him