by Erik Van Tongerloo

Created on: November 25, 2010

A manager is responsible for the execution of the work of all employees in his/her team. He/she needs to work with employees with different personalities. This can be a difficult job if you have to deal with a disrespectful employee and it is often a challenge how you best solve the problems. Employees need to follow up the instructions of the manager and conflicts can arise when one or more disrespectful employees disturb a good work atmosphere.

Dealing with a disrespectful employee is difficult but it is necessary to take actions because this will certainly lead to a loss of productivity and you can lose customers and problems will arise between your employees and it is possible your most qualified staff members will leave the company and choose for another job.

Here are some tips that can help managers to deal with a disrespectful employee:

*Confront your employee with the issue or with his/her unacceptable behavior

You first need to follow up the behavior of your disrespectful employee and make notifications when he/she doesn’t follow the rules. He/she may come late on meetings, can be lazy, not productive enough, talking too much and arrogant or any other issue which may damage the productivity of the company and office etiquette. It is best you never call your employee “disrespectful” because he/she will deny everything you blame him/her and find a reason to explain every unacceptable issue.

*Listening

Listening to your disrespectful employee is a necessity. Being disrespectful is often a sign of unhappiness. There are several reasons which can cause this problem and you need to find out the real reason. It is possible your employee needs more attention, he/she is not satisfied with the salary, has problems with the promotions that were given etc. Listening to your disrespectful employee doesn’t mean you have to change your attitude and fulfill your employee’s desires.

*Tackle the problem and demand respect

A manager develops a strategy in the company which leads to good team work and an increase of productivity. If one of more of his/her employees try to ignore his/her commands; he/she needs to take actions to prevent problems in the company. An employee may give his/her opinion about certain issues in the company but may never question the position of the manager.

As a manager, you need to tackle the problem as soon as possible. You need to point out the issues which are against the policy of the company and ask why he/she act against the rules. It is best you have a good conversation with your employee and say what you expect to see changed.  You need to convince him/her that she can contribute good work which can increase the productivity but he/she needs to show an attitude of respect for all his/her co-workers and also for the policy of the company.

Dealing with a disrespectful employee is never easy but you often can change his/her attitude after a conversation with him/her. In most circumstances, he/she is unhappy for a certain reason and you can try to gain his/her respect. Listening, talking and giving advice are the keys which can solve the problems with your disrespectful employee and maybe he/she will become one of your best team workers.

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