What should happen if you as a Manager are being disrespected by one of your t / members, in front of a guest?

Question

I would like to know what shoul happen when you as a manager are being disrespected by one of your t/members in front of the guest. Specialy when you are being told by the t/member that he was joking, when ready to issue a poor behavior record.

Answer 1

Do you or have you ever watched Star Trek the next generation? In the two-part episode entitled "the Gambit" I saw the most perfect example of "good management" in a similar situation that I've ever seen. I have an undergraduate and a master's degree in management (emphasis in human resources management) and Data's actions in that situation are a textbook perfect example of how to handle a disrespectful employee.

In Part 2 of the episode, Data had assumed command of the Enterprise after the apparent death of Captain Picard and the abduction of Cmmdr. Riker. Lt. Worf was serving as his first officer. After Lt. Worf responds to an order from Data with a sarcastic "finally" in front of the crew, Data calmly asks him to join him in "the ready room". Once there, the conversation goes like this:

Data and Worf ENTER. Once the doors close, Data turns around and confronts Worf without preamble.

DATA
Lieutenant, I am dissatisfied with your performance as acting first officer.

WORF (surprised)
May I... ask in what way?

DATA
You continually question my orders in front of the crew. I do not think this is appropriate behavior.

WORF
Sir... with all due respect, I have always felt free to voice my opinions... even when they differed from those of Captain Picard or Commander Riker.

DATA
That is true. But in those situations, you were acting as head of security, not as First Officer. The primary role of the second in command is to carry out the decisions of the Captain... in this case, me.

WORF
But is it not my duty to offer you... alternatives?

DATA
Yes. But once I have made a decision, it is your job to carry it out regardless of how you may personally feel. Any further objections should be given to me in private, not in front of the crew.

I do not recall Commander Riker ever publicly showing irritation with his Captain as you did a moment ago.

WORF (abashed)
No, sir.

DATA
If you feel that you are not capable of carrying out this role, I can assign it to Commander LaForge and return you to Tactical. I would not enter it as a reprimand on your record... simply as a transfer.

WORF
I would... prefer to remain at my current post.

DATA
Then I will expect you to conform to the guidelines I have laid out.

This was PERFECT...he did NOT confort Worf in front of the crew (or in your case, the guest), he did it privately. He made his expectations clear and he did not allow Worf to make excuses (or say he was "joking").

Depending on the specific circumstances, if I had an employee disrepect me in front of a guest (or anyone else), I would call him or her aside and make it clear that his or her behavior was unacceptable, I would make it clear that even joking disrespect was still disrespect and that if the person felt unable to continue performing his or her duties without engaging in inappropriate behavior, I would relieve him or her of those responsibilities (for example, if the person was a salesperson on the floor I would offer to transfer him or her to a stocking position that didn't involve customer contact).

If you get a chance, watch the episode and especially watch how Data looked and behaved during his conversation...the way he put Worf in his place is truly priceless!

Answer 2

If they're being disrespectful to you then it's probably something YOU did, not them. Treating them like miscreants earns their lack of respect. So ask yourself: Am I micromanaging? Am I constantly accusing them of being slow and lazy even though it is not realistically possible for anyone to meet the demands being imposed? Am I the cause of the problem here? Am I the one creating a hostile environment? What can I do to improve this situation through my own behaviors?

Honestly a "poor behavior" record isn't going to solve anything but would likely exacerbate the situation. Remember to think about how you're making people feel about themselves. As a manager and a leader you've gotta get people on your side. Lead by example and inspire them so much to the point that if you jumped off a bridge they would follow you right off that bridge. You don't want them to come to resent you to the point where if you jumped off a bridge they would remain on the bridge cheering and claiming "good riddance".

Answer 3

Well, it sounds like this guy is bringing baggage to work. He's your manager so just about anything (as long as it doesn't break company policy or the law) is ok. But, it would have been nice if he handled it better. It also would have been nice if you hadn't of made that mistake. This scenario can go both ways. I would not report this. It will make you look bad to the top bosses. They will think you are a whiny brat. If this guy has been acting strange for a year, I'm sure his bosses already know. They will act on it when they choose to.

Answer 4

Well, first of all, I certainly wouldn't call him on it in fromt of the customer. Immediately after helping the guest, I would ask the team member to follow me into somewhere private, such as the restaurant kitchen or supply room, and then I would tell him that I felt that his actions had been extremely disrespectful to me as well as the customer. If he said he was joking, I would tell him that his idea of a joke wasn't very professional and to think before he joked next time, And then I'd go ahead and issue that poor behavior record.

Answer 5

Issue the warning anyway. It's not a joke to disrespect you in front of customers OR other employees. He needs to know that in the future, this kind of joking is inappropriate.

Answer 6

Just issue the poor behaviour record anyway. He'll think twice next time about when it is and isn't appropriate to make a 'joke'.

Answer 7

Pull them aside and give them a stern warning. let them know its not cool to disagree or disrepect u especially in front of guest. this is their one and only warning, 2nd time their fired. we had a dispute like this iin the office yesterday.

Answer 8

i would say,"youre fired!" . i dont think any good manager would keep someone around who dissed them in front of customers/guest... employess should act as employees, and have respect for their supperior.