Rude employee?

Question

I have an employee who is always "mouthing off" to me and his co-workers. No one likes him. Unfortunately, he is hardly absent or late and his performance is satisfactory. My other managers would like to see him fired. Any advice how I could coach this employee to success? This is a union shop.

I am his supervisor.

Answer 1

You say it is "unfortunate" that his job performance is satisfactory and he is never late?

Have "the talk". Let your employee know that his negativity brings everybody down and that he has got to shape up. Remind him of his positive contributions and tell him how unfortunate it would be if you had to let him go due to his attitude problems/inability to get along with his managers and co-workers.

I don't think I need remind you that, as a union shop, you have a duty to have his union representative present during "the talk" if he chooses.

Answer 2

Document everything. Sooner or later he'll screw up.

Firing a union employee is almost impossible, he knows this. Trying to coach the employee to success is like spitting in the wind. Suggest you sit down with yourmanager and come up with a plan.

This is one area where you must get it right the first time.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Take him aside and speak to him. Don't offer it as criticism. Offer it as advice to succeed and advance.

I had a supervisor once pull me aside to tell me I wasn't being a team player. That I just minded my own business and did my work. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not a path for promotion. She knew I had a lot to offer the others in knowledge and leadership.

At first I was ticked off, but after a few days I understood. I then made it a point to be a leader and knowledge source that others could turn to. I was very well regarded until the day we all got laid off. Didn't go where you thought, huh?

Still, I found it to be good advice and remember it from time to time when I'm just sitting alone doing my work.

Answer 4

Since its a union shop, I'd suggest going to his union rep at work and telling him/her what you've said here. Ask them to intervene and have a discussion with this employee. If that doesn't work, then I'd just have a very frank discussion with him (with the union rep present), telling him that his attitude and mouthiness is starting to outweigh his good performance and attendance and it needs to be corrected.

Answer 5

Document EVERYTHING.

There's a process for getting rid of employees, even union employees. Follow it. To the letter. You can't really expect it's going to get any better if you never even say anything to this guy, can you?

Answer 6

With being in union that may be hard... You can always ask him to do stuff and turn it around... If there is any outside customers, you can always sit him up, and have one of your friends come in there and make him get in there face and complain... There is a write up. Provoke him with out hitting or cursing to make him, then you can right him up. Watch him to make sure he does every order to completion. If he doesnot then warn him, then start the process... But the union he can always fight... So, good luck!!!!