Managing Underperforming Employees
Scenario-based learning for HR and line-managers
In-company only
This is a suggested outline for in-house delivery. Format, delivery and content can be tailored to suit your needs. Please call us on +44 (0)20 8371 7011 to discuss your requirements.
Overview
All employees have an obligation to contribute efficiently and effectively to the objectives of their organisation and it is the responsibility of line-managers and team supervisors to ensure that this happens.
However, even within the best managed firms it is likely that there are instances of underperformance and whilst these employees are generally in the minority they can still have a detrimental impact on an organisation by failing to meet their own objectives, de-motivating colleagues and tying up the time of their line manager and HR team.
Moreover, there are many different reasons for why and how an employee or team might be underperforming and there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution.
Utilising interactive scenarios and case studies, this highly practical workshop will provide HR professionals and line-managers with insights into the techniques by which to identify underperforming staff and the range of informal and formal solutions that can be used to manage both specific issues such as absenteeism as well as more systematic instances of unsatisfactory performance.
Seminar highlights
- Understand the most common causes and triggers of underperformance
- Learn how to recognise and tackle underperformance at an early stage and prevent issues from escalating
- Access a range of informal techniques to resolve performance issues
- Apply and practise your learning through scenario and role play sessions throughout the day
- Gain clarity on what best practice formal procedures should look like
- Understand the legal context should this stage be reached, including the ACAS Code of Practice and how to prepare for a tribunal hearing
Programme
09:00 Registration and Coffee
09:30 Understanding why staff might be underperforming?
- Employees suffering from a lack of clarity about their goals or employer expectations
- Tensions caused by organisational culture
- Problems associated with poor HR practices in the areas of recruitment, onboarding and engagement
- Performance issues arising from personal problems outside of the workplace
- Why is it not always easy to determine whether underperformance is caused by capability or conduct?
Recognising the signs of unsatisfactory performance and tackling it before it escalates
- The importance of investigation
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The key elements of performance management procedure
- How can HR ensure that line-managers follow procedures?
- What should the procedures contain?
- The proof of underperformance
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The ways in which line-managers and HR can identify and mitigate the risk of underperformance
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Use of informal measures to manage underperformance
- Regular dialogue between managers and staff
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How to give feedback on performance
The employer’s and employee’s rights
- What does a fair procedure look like and how long will a fair procedure take?
- Case studies involving change to work tasks/functions
- Case study: What to do if the employee raises a grievance?
Putting theory into practice – “A typical underperformance issue” – Group activity
This session enhances knowledge through applied learning. Participants will be given the opportunity to review common underperformance issues with the objective of taking simple steps to categorise the underlying cause and decide on a course of action to take.
12:30 Lunch
Formulating and implementing a formal action plan to tackle underperformance
- At what point to start the formal procedure?
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Constructing a written note that sets out:
- The performance problem
- The improvement that is required
- The timescale for achieving this improvement
- A review date
- Details of any support that the employer will provide
- Communicating with the employee during the formal process
Putting theory into practice – “A typical underperformance issue” – Group activity continued
This session focuses on small group role-plays where the participants will practice advising line managers on ways to improve the performance of the employees through scenarios. This will enable participants to explore the impact and outcome of the course of action chosen.
The legal considerations of Underperformance
- The implications of the ACAS code when managing underperformers
- How to prove to an Employment Tribunal that the employer has acted reasonably?
- What does the “band of reasonable responses” require?
- Dealing with issues of age and disability combined with under performance
- Alternatives to dismissal, settlement agreements and compromise agreements – is it safe to suggest?
- Dismissing underperforming staff: the legal considerations
16: 30 Close of seminar
Trainers
Bev Holloway
Bev’s background is in the retail and financial services sectors in both management and human resources roles. Bev passionately believes in training that provides the learner with practical, applicable results. She has experience of working with blue-chip and SME clients in a range of industries including FMCG, manufacturing, financial services, legal and the public sector.
Her areas of expertise are in HR, management and leadership development, and personal effectiveness. She has designed, developed and delivered a variety of learning and development solutions in these areas. Examples include generalist HR, recruitment and selection, performance management, first line and middle manager, CMI and ILM Leadership programmes, coaching and mentoring, emotional intelligence, neuro-linguistic programming, persuading and assertiveness courses.
She is very interested in the development of virtual learning and has several years’ experience in the design and delivery of programmes using this medium.
Bev holds a BSc Psychology degree, is a Master Practitioner of NLP and NLP coach. She enjoys using psychometrics to enable team and individual development and is qualified in Myers-Briggs, DiSC, and Emotional Behaviours at work (EBW).
Penny Macmillan
Penny Macmillan MA Chartered FCIPD is a Solicitor and has for many years specialised in employment law, with particular experience of: TUPE, unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing and drafting employment contracts, policies, procedures and handbooks. She is former Head of the Legal Department at The Race Equality Centre and now practises in her own firm.
Before qualifying as a lawyer, Penny held positions as a Group Personnel Manager for a health authority; Employee Relations Manager for a major retailer; and Personnel and Training Manager for a large catering services company. Penny is equally well qualified and experienced as a management trainer, HR specialist and lawyer. She delivers workshops and seminars on a wide range of employment law and best practice subjects and is a personal tutor on JSB’s Advanced Certificate in Employment Law (ACEL).
Designed for
This practical seminar is suitable for both HR professionals seeking to build the capability to advise their business and implement effective procedures, as well as line managers who are faced with the task of tackling underperformance directly.
Testimonials
“Well delivered with knowledgeable trainers”
– Kate Blackett, Senior HR Manager, Mace Macro Ltd
“Very well run and informative. Very enjoyable and helpful”
– Lucy Carter, Human Resources Advisor, Mediabrands
“Extremely useful and informative”
– Katherine Riley, HR Advisor, Environmental Resources Management
“Engaging and very relevant for my role”
– Alexandra Dellot, HR Advisor, CityWest Homes
“Well worth attending”
– Peter Bates, Learning and Development Manager, EPSRC
Pre-course Questionnaire
Discounts
Multiple booking discount
Recieve a 20% discount when you book more than one event, or book more than one person on the same event. Please note this discount only applies to the lesser priced booking and when all bookings are placed together.
Registered charities
You are entitled to a 25% discount on your booking if you are a registered charity. This discount will show on your invoice once your booking is submitted. You will need your charity registration number for the booking form.
Subject areas
Run courses
in-house
Any open course can be adapted for delivery in-house.
Speak to our Client Team on
+44 (0)20 8371 7011 or find out more about our L&D Capabilities