I'm the OP...I've read all your feedback. It seems I did not provide all the info needed because many assumed that I had NEVER coached this person. When I say I kept my thoughts to myself, that was me saying I don't knit pick my employees, but rather address situations when I see a pattern. I don't get onto them when I see they simply had a bad day, or something at home is bugging them and it affected their day, When someone is already feeling blue, they don' t need their manager to make them feel worse. However, She had been warned about ONE certain procedure she was violating. (that had been in place for at least 6 years). For all intents and purposes she was good at her primary job and we told her the same, frequently, through reviews, raises and casual conversations, thank you gift cards, we raised her pay when gas prices increased because we did want her to stay. etc. However, She was coached by me and the doctor after 2-3 observations of a certain behavior. When she did it again, the coaching was not a surprise, nor an ambush. I opened the conversation by simply asking her why she did it again, when she knew better. I have been in leadership positions for over 35 years. I understand a coaching goes better when it's a conversation rather than a down load. Her answer was basically a non answer because she knew she had violated the policy again. And trust me, what we asked her to do was not rocket science....we simply asked her to follow procedure for requesting time off. That's it. Her repeated violations were causing scheduling issues and catching us short staffed because the communication chain was being circumvented. Therefore no one knew to schedule back up help etc. That's it...her violations of the procedures were a direct hit to positive patient care. She knew the procedure and had been following it but then she didn't like it any more and just violated it (she had 28 days out at that point) (she has a son in the military so every time he was home on leave, we let her off to be with him...for those of you wondering why so many days)
For those who think I'm judgmental about the work force. I promise you, no judgment.. I live in a town of less than 15,000. All of the businesses are suffering because staff shortages. Prior to Covid staffing was not an issue...business owners have had direct conversations with prior employees, as have we, and are being told directly the UI and the tax credits are better than the jobs they had. The Chic filet here is now offering the $15 hr. but still can't get employees to come in. We only have a few large employers here, and some medical offices. Every business in town has a help wanted sign and have raised their hourly pay and are in some cases offering sign on bonuses. Our own, excellent employee doesn't come in any more. She has a child and the credits and other benefits she receives outweigh her need to come to work. Again no judgement. My observation is based on what ACTUAL people have ACTUALLY told me about their reasons.
BTW as an employer our office is consistently above market analysis in pay scale.
Members of the Chamber of Commerce are collecting the same data. Our Gov. Kay Ivey has written to the President to ask the incentives to be stopped because its killing our businesses across the state. Statement of choosing to stay at home is not my opinion it's what the data and people are telling us.
I hope I've shed more light on the situation. Thank you to those who supported me with positive feedback and coaching to what I could do better even with limited information. To those who jumped to very dark conclusions, I'd like to give some positive feedback. Not all managers or businesses treat their employees as commodities or profit centers. Some business really do want a positive, inclusive, warm environment. Sometimes, shit happens and there was no prior plan or motive for it...it just happens. The best thing leaders can do is clean up the mess and try to do better. Please do not jump too quickly to assume because someone is in a leadership position they are automatically wrong or should have known better. Leaders are human beings too.
For those of you who said this employee really didn't want to work. You are spot on. I've since found out that she too has applied for all the assistance benefits afforded. She has 9 children (some of her own and some are step children)....she has done the math and it works for her to stay home. (this from her own mouth to another one of our employees....)
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