When you start to see a pattern in behavioral issues; such as an employee coming in late, here are the things you need to consider: 1) If you don’t nip it in the bud it will get worse. 2) Employees need to be responsible for their own behavior. 3) They need to know why you have a special policy. So, next time an employee starts developing bad behavior patterns, such as arriving late, calling them to the private environment and asking them why they are late. When they have given you their explanation, say something like this …
“Mike, I realize you’ve been late four times now this month, and let me tell you what concerns me. First of all, if you’re not here at 7:30 in the morning, the first thought that comes to mind is that you or someone in your family might be sick or injured, and you might need my help.my second thought was that your car might be damaged, or you might be in an accident, and I began to wonder if I should send Larry or Frank out to look for you. complicates matters even further, when you are not here on time, and I stand at the service counter, I don’t know what to tell customers who ask me if their car will be ready for the day, and then there’s one more thing, Mike. I just can’t expect anyone else here at Acme Auto Body to be here on time when you don’t, now that I know old habits are hard to break, so this is what I will do. Next time you are late, I will ask why, but it really doesn’t matter because that one will happen to me. If you are late, once again I will ask why, and that will happen to me too. But if you are late for the third time, for whatever reason, it will be a difficult day for me, Mike, because what I will do is call you to my office, and I will give you your final salary check. Mike, I want to be clear with you. I think of your world, and I will be happy to be working with you for the rest of my life. You are a star, you really are, and I don’t want to see our relationship end, so please don’t put me in a position where I have to let you go. Do we have understanding, Mike? “
Now this is why this is an easy and powerful way to solve behavioral problems. First of all, many employees will think, “Gosh, what’s a few minutes?” They will tell themselves that they often work through breaks, overtime, etc., so you can see how easy it is for them to think that you are not only choosing, but that you are being very unfair. That is why it is very important for you to tell them that it is not the minutes you are worried about; instead, it is the welfare of them, your customers and other employees you care about.
I also found out over the years that guards would usually apologize, and the behavioral problem was gone. People who won’t be with you for too long will usually do one of two things. They also ask you “What time period are you talking about” for the three strikes, (which tells us they already imagine they will be late), or they will make a point to appear every day just minutes before time. they should be working. Now here’s the best part! This Three Strikes system eliminates all excuses and makes employees responsible for their own behavior. Just remember, when you make an appointment, you must obey it, so be prepared to hand over the employee’s final salary if the behavior continues.
