Dealing with negative employees quickly is important to stop negativity spreading. Managing a negative team member can be difficult, managing a negative team is disastrous.

As a manager, taking action to reduce or removing the negativity is a must. There is a lot you can do quickly.

I’m taking your through 6 tried and tested steps for dealing with negative employees quickly and fairly.

The first critical step in managing negative employees is not to ignore the problem. It may seem scary or the idea of having potentially confrontational conversations a big stumbling block. Dealing with negative team members is okay when you follow a fair and supportive process while not letting them off the hook. Don’t ignore the problem.

Second, when taking negative employees in the workplace is to gather examples and evidence (if possible) of their actions and behaviour. Write does in as much detail as possible what they said and did. This moves the conversation away from your opinion of them and actions that have happened are much harder to dismiss.

Third, when you are managing a negative staff member, find out why they are being negative. Don’t make assumption. First outline what the issue is, the impact of their actions or behaviour and then ask them to explain what is causing them to be negative. There could be a whole range of reasons from actions or decisions made at work or events in their personal life. Ask to find out what the nitty gritty details are.

Fourth, when managing negative team members, set out your expectations. You are the manager and you set the rules. Be clear what you are asking of them, explain why it is important and ask them to meet your expectations.

Fifth, with dealing with negative employees, is to give them a chance to change. Noone finds change easy. Emphasise the impact of not changing on them and the team. Coach, mentor and support them to change.

Finally, when dealing with negative employees and after you have gone through the above five steps and they are not willing to make a change, take formal action.

Formal action is the last resort. If the negative employee is still not meeting your expectations, and their actions are being detrimental to the team and you, then you need to decide if it is worth keeping them in the team or asking them to leave. Start with a Performance Improvement Plan and then move into a formal disciplinary process if needed. Don’t let negative employees cause you or the team problems.



00:00 Intro
01:40 Don’t Ignore the Problem
03:35 Gather Examples and Evidence
04:37 Find Out Why
06:15 Set Out Your Expectations
08:13 Give Them a Chance to Change
09:11 Take Formal Action
10:39 In Summary

Here are additional videos that you will find useful:
5 Actions for Effective OneonOne Meetings With Team Members    • 5 Actions for Effective One on One Me...  
Active Listening Skills for Managers – How to Build & Use Them    • Active Listening Skills for Managers ...  
5 Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers    • 5 Coaching Skills for Leaders and Man...  


If you have any questions on 6 Steps for Dealing with Negative Employees, please leave them in the comments section below and I will get back to you.

Enhance.training