It seems like in today’s society, rudeness has become more and more acceptable…and expected. But, as one of the top staffing firms in South Florida, Future Force knows that when it comes to running a business, this bad behavior can actually have a negative impact on your bottom line – from annoyed customers to reduced morale.
So what are some of the most common rude behaviors – and how can you combat them? Here’s a look:
1. Using Cell Phones at Inappropriate Times.
Whether it’s during a meeting or while an employee should be waiting on a customer, phone abuse should be a major “no no.”
What you should do: Your employee may not think it’s that big of a deal, but a customer who has to stand around and wait until the employee in question finishes up their phone call certainly will. So create a cell phone use policy with specific rules and regulations for employees and strictly enforce it.
2. Showing Up Late.
Regular tardiness and/or absenteesim shows a total lack of respect. Furthermore, if your employee works in a service area, their tardiness could seriously impact customer relationships.
What you should do: Have a private meeting with your employee. Set the rules and let them know the consequences of continued tardiness. If there’s an issue that’s causing them to be late (for instance, their child’s daycare doesn’t open up until a certain time), then try to work with your employee to troubleshoot the problem.
3. Engaging in Offensive Behavior.
Whether it’s telling dirty jokes or standing around watching an offensive video online, there should be no room for this kind of behavior in the workplace.
What you should do: Keep in mind, under sexual harassment laws, a behavior doesn’t have to be directed at someone for it to be offensive to them. That’s why it’s vital to put an end to this behavior immediately. In many cases, an offender doesn’t realize they’re being offensive unless he or she is told. It’s also important to educate all your employees about what sexual harassment, what to do if it happens, and explain that it won’t be tolerated.
4. Leaving Common Areas a Mess.
You know it’s important to maintain clean common areas in order to provide a safe and sanitary environment for all employees. But you have one employee in particular who seems to have taken on the title of “mess-maker in chief.”
What you should do: Discuss the matter privately with your employee. Explain how frustrating it is for their co-workers to constantly find dirty dishes in the sink and messy countertops. Warn them that further discipline or action may need to be taken if their behavior doesn’t improve.
To learn more about this topic, read about How to Nip an Employee’s Bad Attitude in the Bud. And if you need help filling open positions at your company, let Future Force know. As one of the top staffing firms in South Florida, we can help you hire employees who are not only skilled, but who also treat your customers and their co-workers with respect. Contact Future Force today to learn more.