We all have our quirks, and of course there is no perfect employee. All manager/employee relationships will have their share of ups and downs. That being said, there are some employees whose cringe-worthy behavior makes them less effective than a blank spot on the org chart. If you have any of the following employees working under you, then you have both my sympathies- for what that's worth- and complete justification in replacing them.

1. The gossip.

This employee can damage the company in a variety of ways. By spreading rumors about the company itself, she can create fear and anxiety among the staff. Gossip also creates a distraction for those who have to hear it as well as those who worry that they might be the subject of it.

The best way to deal with a gossip? Put her in isolated area and limit her access to phones and e-mail. Just let her try to gossip to the ficus tree.

2. The slob.

His desk is buried under a landslide of papers. His keyboard is greasy. Perhaps his personal hygiene is as bad as his organizational skills. Working with a slob can be a mild irritation or a major trauma, depending on the severity of the problem and whether one generally works up or down wind of the offender.

How do you handle a slob? Chances are he won't change his ways. Either live his eccentricity or transfer him to an isolated locale.

3. The tattletale.

Tattletales are, in their own, twisted way, quite impressive. It will never cease to amaze me how some people can remember minutia such as the exact length of Bob's last break, the precise amount Mary borrowed from petty cash, or the average depth of paper piled on Abe's desk. Tattletales are both observant in noting their coworkers' shortcomings and diligent in reporting them. Sadly, tattletales tend to be less than stunning performers themselves, which is why they hope to get ahead by complaining about others. The worst part of managing a tattletale is having to hear that person's constant complaints.

What do you do with a tattletale? Stop listening. All those pent up complaints may indeed cause the tattletale to explode, but that wouldn't be the end of the world.

4. The brown-noser.

He laughs at your jokes, he asks about your family, he nods and smiles when you tell stories. At first, the brown-noser seems harmless. However, it soon becomes apparent that kissing up is the only trick this employee knows. Being polite to a supervisor is nice, but when employees think that charm is a substitute for competence, the whole

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