Over the years I’ve worked with just about every type of employee you can think of and, in my experience, there are more or less five kinds of people you simply have to get rid of, no ifs ands or buts, and sooner rather than later.
- They overpromise and underdeliver
Some people have inflated self-images that they either think they can do anything or crave the attention they get by making big boastful promises. However, when their egos consistently promise results their capabilities can’t deliver, that’s a real problem that’s not likely to be easily resolved.
- They do not appreciate customers
I don’t care if you have a small business or work in a blue chip organisation, customers are hard to gain and easy to lose. The one thing you don’t need is an employee who works with customers and somehow doesn’t get that business is about winning and keeping customers.
- They can’t or won’t do the job
You recruit and pay people to do a job. Your job is to be clear about what that entails and give them the tools and training they need to get the job done. Their job is then to do it. If they either can’t or won’t after a few chances, then you’ve probably given them one chance too many.
- They’re entitled
Some people are more thin-skinned and entitled than they have any right to be. Half their mind is on the job and the other half is just waiting for someone to slip up so they can whine and complain and maybe even threaten legal action. Don’t give in to that kind of behaviour. Let them go. They might throw a fit and you might get sued, but they can only do it once, and then you’re rid of them for good.
- They ignore the ‘rules of the game’
Whatever the ‘rules of the game’ are for your company and its culture, you’ve got to uphold them fairly and consistently. Whether an employee was insubordinate to their boss or a director lies about something material on their CV, if it happened and it breaks the rules, you should walk them out the door.
