Supervision of the Problem Employee Flashcards
Many leaders have speculated about the cause of scandals from inadequate hiring standards and background investigations to out-dated policies and performances evaluations, but the author believes it to be what?
inadequate supervision
Investigations revealed that the offending officer was not ____ ____ by his supervisor and failed to follow-up on rumors of misconduct and ignored violations of department policy.
adequately monitored
In simply waiting for the next scandal to erupt, you are a ____. This book takes a more ____ approach.
reactionist; proactive
Poor supervision results in employee ____, because employees will only do what they are allowed to get away with.
misconduct
In regards to leadership positions, what phrase is used to describe poor selection and promotional processes, inadequate training and policies, lack of performance accountability, and a reluctance to demote those that fail to meet acceptable standards?
inadequate supervision
In regards to supervisory positions, what is phrase is used to describe those that do not want to supervise, lack the skills and knowledge to supervise, align themselves more with their subordinates than management, and fail to enforce policies and hold employees accountable?
inadequate supervision
Three dangers to an organization occur when what?
(1) Supervisors don’t supervise(2) Dysfunctional employees are not held accountable(3) The majority ignore the misconduct of a few
What was the Rampart scandal?
Widespread corruption in the Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (or CRASH) anti-gang unit of LAPD Rampart Division in the late 1990s. More than 70 police officers either assigned to or associated with the Rampart CRASH unit were implicated in some form of misconduct, making it one of the most widespread cases of documented police misconduct in United States history. +140 lawsuits; 125 million in settlements.
What is the Oakland Riders scandal?
Four Oakland officers that worked the midnight shift and likened themselves to peacekeepers or some mythical outlaw frontier. They allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, framed, and falsely arrested residents. 10.5 million in settlements.
What is the Office Sex scandal?
A female firefighter accused a dozen fireman, including 5 supervisors, of sexual harassment. She also alleged that she was sexual assaulted by two. $550,000 settlement.
What is the Dog Food Prank scandal?
A fireman was unknowingly feed dog food in spaghetti and claimed racial discrimination. 1.5 million settlement.
When it comes to dysfunctional supervision, there are three types of supervisors. What are they?
(1) those that let things happen(2) those who encourage things to happen(3) those who wonder what happened
All of the scandals at the Sacramento Fire Department directly involved who?
front-line supervisors
The ___-___ ____ is relied upon by the organization to maintain discipline and control of its employees.
front-line supervisor
Although there were no indications that a supervisor was directly involved in police misconduct, the sergeants’ ____ ____ served as a green light, allowing the events to occur.
blissful ignorance
If a front-line supervisor ____ or ____ misconduct, the control and proper direction of employees will collapse.
encourages or intiates
If misconduct and improper behavior is ____ by the front-line supervisor, employees will continue their improper behavior.
ignored
Rather than calling them excuses, the author refers to them as what? This term emphasizes that supervisors fail to act because of pressures they impose on ____.
self-induced pressures; themselves
With a desire to be liked, don’t worry about being liked, just do what?
the right thing
Employees fall into what two broad categories?
normal and problem
A normal employee wants a supervisor that will hold the problem employee ____.
accountable
A problem employee will only like you if you allow them to do what?
anything they want with no supervision
Being a jerk is the opposite of being liked, so treat people ___, ____, and with ____.
fairly, consistently, and with respect
What is the 18-40-60 rule?
At 18 yoa, you ask, “what did they say about me?” At 40 yoa, you say, “I don’t care what people think about me.” At 60 yoa, you realize that no one was even talking about you.
What are the 9 self-induced pressures for supervisors outlined in this chapter?
- desire to be liked2. they are my friends3. I use to do it4. the old-timer5. peer pressure6. no support from management7. concerned about the discipline8. I agree with the employee9. It’s just a little thing (added as a chapter)
When a problem supervisor faces a colleague that supervises, he faces what two options?
- change and rise to peer’s standards2. attempt to influence his peer and lower him to his standards
No problem employee wants to admit that their behavior is ____.
wrong
Why can’t problem employees change?
they are dysfunctional to begin with
When supervisors are concerned about the discipline, they may fail to ___ ___ or may ___ __ ____.
take action or cover up misconduct
What are two inherent problems with a supervisor being concerned with discipline?
- erodes discipline system2. the problem employee has no reason to change his conduct
A simple fact of human nature is that is if a individual faces no consequences, he will not do what?
change his behavior
In regards to disparaging remarks made by an employee, one of the responsibilities of a supervisor is to maintain ___ and ___.
order and professionalism
The most common excuse from a supervisor for choosing to ignore improper behavior was what?
it’s just a little thing
What is the most important sign for any supervisor to recognize when an employee is going downhill?
the officer’s appearance started to change
What is another sign that an officer is going downhill?
reports are sloppy or unreadable (words are misspelled, and important information, such as elements of the crime, are missing or incomplete)
What are 6 important truths about supervision of employees?
- an officer who does not look like a pro will not act like a pro2. no consequences, no change3. if one violation is ignored, it’s likely others are4. if you give an employee an inch, he’ll take a mile5. beware of ripple effect6. enforcement must be consistent
When employees are experiencing difficulties in his personal life, the number one clue is a change in what?
his appearance
An employee who exhibits poor performance or chooses to violate policies will not change his behavior unless ___ ____.
held accountable
Other warning signs that something is amiss in an employee’s life include what 5 things?
- excessive sick leave2. attitude change3. withdrawal4. poor work product5. conflict with fellow employees