Effective Strategies for Managing Employee Concerns

Do you have effective strategies for managing employee concerns? If someone had a concern with you, what would you want them to do?

• Ignore it
• Wait and hope you get it right soon
• Build up a number of examples of what’s wrong
• Have a quiet word straight away

Managing employee concerns is an important aspect of being a successful leader or manager.  ACAS state that “Many problems at work can be resolved informally, for example through an informal chat.” It’s important to address issues as soon as they arise and to speak to employees as soon as is practical in order to prevent them from escalating. In this blog post, we will discuss some effective strategies for dealing with employee concerns, and provide some tips to help you navigate these situations.

1.  Act quickly: When an issue arises, it’s important to address it right away. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to resolve the problem.
2. Have a conversation: Have a conversation with the employee to explain what you see as being incorrect. It’s important to be open and honest in your communication, and to listen to the employee’s perspective.
3. Explain what you want to see happening differently: Clearly explain what changes you would like to see, and set a timeframe for when you expect these changes to be made.
4. Explain the consequences: Explain what the consequences may be if the changes aren’t made and sustained. This will help the employee understand the importance of addressing the issue.
5. Make a note of what has been discussed: Keep a record of the conversation, including the date, time, content, and outcomes. This will help you follow-up with the employee and ensure that the issue has been resolved.
6. Follow-up: Check-in with the employee at an appropriate time to confirm that things have improved and to recognize their changes. If necessary, take the next step.
7. Escalate the situation: If there are repeats or the situation isn’t resolved, take it to the next step. Don’t rely on going back over the same process without any escalation.
8. Seek advice: If you’re unsure at any point, seek advice. Getting the help and support you need will help alleviate your concerns and ensure that your employee is being treated fairly.
9. Contact our team: If you want to chat through any concerns you have, contact our team. We would be delighted to have the discussion and to keep you on the right track.

What do you do if your employee does decide to leave? Do you carry out ‘Exit Interviews’?

In conclusion, managing employee concerns can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can effectively address and resolve issues. By acting quickly, having open and honest communication, setting expectations, and following up, you can create a positive work environment for all employees. Remember, if you’re ever unsure of what to do, don’t hesitate to seek advice and support from your team.

Reach out to the team at Acorn support to discuss how you can approach your concerns in the correct way for the situation, your business, and for the employee.