Subordinate Counseling

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• How are you doing?
  
  • important to have 2-way conversation & look/listen for clues
• Glad we could meet
• Generally happy with performance
  
  • (giving subordinate praise for any positives you’re aware of)
• We have an item(s) to go over today
• Open door/ feel comfortable talking to me (open door policy)
• Two-way conversation (you value their input just as you know they value yours)
• Goal is to create written plan including issues & solutions we can use to move forward
• Any questions so far?
  
  • possible pushback “am I in trouble”
  • non-disciplinary intent/ express confidence in improvement

Question 2

Pre-Meeting

Answer 2

• Printed/ brought relevant policies/ SOG’s
• Reviewed: recent evaluations/ staffing records
  
  • unusual amount of time off or OT
• Clues & initial probe
  
  • recent unusual/ uncharacteristic behavior/ pattern or issues
• Empathize/ resource commitment/ marry together personal-work issues/ still have a job to do.
  
  • possible pushback- “I’m not interested in EAP/resource
  • persuade/ valuable member/ back on track

Question 3

Issue

Answer 3

• Ask if aware/ what can they tell you
  
  • is reason(s) something tangible and/or poor attitude/ decision
• Dept policy/ standard/ expectation & not met
  
  • what is the dept standard or expectation regards to this
• Consequences (the consequences of continuing to not meet this standard are…)
  
  • think safety and professionalism
• Goals (initially to assure issue/ policy is understood & moving forward resolve and prevent causes)
• Action Plan/ Commitment
  
  • reviewing action plan and gaining commitment from employee to follow it.
• • Second Probe
    
    • if necessary, justify asking again by reiterating recent uncharacteristic behavior.

Question 4

Summarize/ Post-Meeting

Answer 4

• Discussed issues

- both personal & work