As a manager, if an employee at work was clearly unhappy would you speak to them about it or.....?

Question

as long as it wasn't affecting their job performance, leave the subject alone?

Answer 1

I would most definitely speak to them as they could well be unhappy with situation at work and could just walk out. I.m in the know because I was unhappy at work and bottling it all up until the boss noticed and took me aside .He,s doing all he can to help.

Answer 2

It's best to ask them what the problem is. It's just being supportive and the employee will appreciate it. From experience, leave the subject alone and it will soon start to affect the employee's performance. Isn't it better to try and help before it gets to that stage?

Answer 3

Speak to the employee and see if he or she wants to confide in you, as to the reason. It might be that you can advise them or help in what is making them unhappy. I remember years ago I , had a word with a member of staff who kept falling asleep while at work. Anyway after the chat I advised him to go to the doctors and it turned out he had a , problem which was sorted out.
Most people whould have ended up sacking him , but as a manager , one has to care about there staff because after all a contented work force preforms better than an unhappy work force.

Answer 4

A good manager would always ask if the person was alright, especially if you can see that the person is having some kind of problem.

It would be better to take a few minutes to try and help the person, as it is just good business to do so. You get more out of an employee, when they know that they are cared about.

Answer 5

Is the employee unhappy as an attitude, with the job, or in their personal life? Either way I guess it does affect job performance and I think they should be spoken to privately and in a non confrontational type of way.

Answer 6

Leaving it alone would make the situation worse. Eventually it will effect work performance. I would not advise a formal meeting but a casual meeting. A good manager cares about not only the company but its employees

Answer 7

Ask them if I were a caring manager who had people skills. I would pull them to one side and ask if they were still happy with working here as they seemed to be acting different than their normal happy self. I would see if they were prepared to speak about it and help if I could. If not then I would offer them my 'ear' anytime now or in the future as they were a valued member of my team and leave it to them to come see me if they needed help. But I would make sure they knew I was there with an open door for any of my employee's.

Answer 8

I think it may be good management to perhaps, subtly, ask if everything is OK. All may be OK at present in terms of affecting work, but if a problem escalates you could end up losing a member of staff temporarily or permanently. It would be advisable to check what kind of support your company, or the person's union, may be able to offer if a non-work problem is identified. Is there access to a counselling service etc?

Answer 9

Sometimes it's good for someone to care and gently ask about things. It depends on the type person you are approaching and what they are like. If they are a closed personality to you, you could confidentially ask another employee who is a friend of theirs. Then decide what to do when you have more information.

Answer 10

Well thats what personel officers are for strictly speaking but a good manager would - happy staff means happy workers whether it affects performance or not.