Dynamic Solutions in Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution Services

How to deal with a disruptive employee

On Behalf of | Nov 23, 2022 | Alternative Dispute Resolution

You started a company on your own and it has grown exponentially over the years. This means that you just simply do all of the work by yourself. You’ve taken on a team of employees which is constantly expanding along with your business. 

The majority of employees share your vision and are willing to work hard in turn for respect and fair pay. Unfortunately, as you continue to take on more people the risk of a worker becoming disruptive increases. How do you deal with a worker who is causing problems

Examples of disruptive behavior 

Disruptive behavior comes in numerous forms, with all of them impacting your productivity. A worker may simply develop a bad attitude toward coworkers. Without interference, this bad attitude could spread to others and negatively impact those who are trying to remain positive. 

It’s a bonus if you are liked by your employees but this isn’t a necessity. You’re there to be a boss, which means respect comes before anything else. A disruptive employee is unlikely to respect you, and they may even go as far as to undermine your authority. You’re asking them to carry out tasks that are within their job description, but they’re leaving at the end of the day without achieving anything productive. 

What can you do? 

It’s important that your company has internal procedures for dealing with unruly employees. These regulations must fall within the confines of the law. Being proactive is better than reacting to issues, so make sure your employee handbook is clear on the standards that you expect from your workers. 

Internal procedures are sometimes not enough to tackle disruptive employees. When this is the case, you may need to start thinking about your legal options. Having experience guidance behind you will help ensure that you take the appropriate steps.