If an observed behavior is either “real” serious or “real” important then it must be addressed.

The importance or seriousness of certain behaviors will vary from employer to employer due to industry differences.  

Examples of typical “real” important behavior problems:

• Tardiness or absence problems
• Late submissions of work
• Dirty, messy, unorganized work stations or vehicles
• Incomplete work

• Harassment
• Insubordination
• Unacceptable job performance
• Damage to company property or equipment

Behavior that is either real important or real serious should have some type of documentation associated with it that you can place in the employees file.

The date the verbal was given or any written counsels that you completed on the behavior should exist and be readily available should the behavior repeat itself.

If you have an employee who behaves in such a way that you wish to not deal with in the future you really need to complete a simple counseling form.

• Provides employee with steps to achieve success
• Provides a consistent process for addressing behavioral problems
• Documents employee behavior
• May protect employer from having to pay unemployment
• May protect employer from wrongful termination lawsuits

Counseling forms can be simple one page documents that allow you to place the date the behavior occurred, description of what happened and what you expect moving forward. Its very simple but several employers fail to follow a consistent counseling processing that includes documentation.

Our next HR Tip of the Week will cover why documentation is important and why you should adopt a consistent process TODAY.

If you have questions or concerns about your employees behavior and your not sure how to address the situation, please feel free to contact TrendHR @ 214-553-5505.