How to Manage Employee Productivity

Many small businesses are a lot like a family--tight-knit, understanding and friendly. But at some point or another, you might have to deal with an employee who is not performing his or her job as expected, which can be difficult. To avoid a potentially awkward confrontation, this Tools and Tips article from NFIB.com offers some suggestions on how to approach the employee and work toward improving his or her job performance. Steps include:

• Reviewing the job standard with the employee to make certain it's known and understood


• Counseling the employee by implementing a plan that specifies what must be done to attain standard performance—and a reasonable timetable for doing so


• Regularly monitoring the individual's progress against the plan, and provide support and assistance


• Removing apparent obstacles to the employee's success, and make any reasonable accommodations needed to enhance employee performance