In my time in retail, I’ve run across people with many different types of work ethics. As a leader, knowing your employee’s work ethic goes a long way in avoiding the wasting of payroll and resources. While there are some people who can be a benefit to your business, there are those that will do nothing more than drag it down. In these tough economic times, it’s imperative that you realize who is worth investing in and who isn’t. As with everything in a business environment, a focused cost/benefit analysis of your employees will have you headed in the right direction. Here are the three most common work ethics seen in employees:
Only Does What They’re Told
This type of employee does the bare minimum. They are fully capable and competent when they are assigned tasks but they only do as much as they are told. They seldom find anything extra that needs to be done. They have trouble initiating action and are confused when questioned about it. Thinking outside the box is not part of who they are. This employee will easily fall into a rut if they are not monitored.
While not necessarily a bad thing, this type can sometimes be frustrating. This is because you know that they are capable of so much more. The struggle is getting them to see this and apply themselves. They need clear direction and direct feedback on how a task should be completed. With patience, this type of employee can be developed to higher levels.
Doesn’t Do Much
This is pretty much a no-brainer. An employee who can’t be counted on is unreliable. They are a waste of payroll and should be addressed as soon as possible. Documentation and prompt follow-up of issues is very important. The best way to address this is to communicate the problems and give the employee a chance to improve. If they are not able to correct the behavior, then they should be expecting some corrective action. If you’ve communicated with them in the right way, it should not be a surprise to them that they are being reprimanded.
Takes the Initiative
This is the type of employee that everyone wants. The highly motivated person who needs little or no supervision. They are reliable and highly effective. The only advice to offer concerning this employee is….make sure you take good care of them! Guide them, support them and most importantly, develop them. They are the key to your success and profit.
