Thomas Chambers' website: Fw: Cope with a lazy coworker

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Fw: Cope with a lazy coworker

Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2013 4:06 PM

Subject: Cope with a lazy coworker

Practical Business Training

Take initiative with a slacker

Quit stewing about a co-worker who isn't pulling his or her weight, and do something yourself. Mind Tools recommends these steps for confronting the problem:

Meet privately with your coworker to discuss the problem.
Detail the actions and consequences. Calmly outline what you have observed and how this person's inaction is affecting you, the team or the organization. Example: "Because you handled only 10 customer emails yesterday, Chris and I stayed late to complete the entire list of 150. If our team fails to meet the customer service standards, no one will be eligible for a bonus this month."
Listen to the response. Don't assume that your co-worker is lazy. Allow that person to explain. Perhaps you have different perceptions about the job responsibilities or your colleague was on the phone all day dealing with a family emergency. Note: If the person starts to yell or argue, calmly end the conversation.
Discuss your response. If the person doesn't know how to do the tasks, you can offer to coach or provide tips. If the person doesn't want to do the work, explain your next step. Example: "I will not be doing your share of the work any longer. When the boss asks why we're falling behind, I will share the same information I have shared with you."
Monitor the situation. If you must elevate the issue, your boss will need proof of the problem. Keep a private record of what you observe, such as when the person leaves for lunch and returns two hours later. If your co-worker shows improvement, reinforce that behavior with praise and appreciation.

Do you work with someone who makes your work life a living hell? The Co-Worker from Hell

While many factors affect how you feel about your job—the organization, your boss and the work itself—one of the biggest complaints about the workplace is other co-workers.

That's why we developed The Co-Worker from Hell: Successfully Manage Your Most Challenging Work Relationships training tool. You'll learn how to minimize conflict with hellish coworkers, confront their behavior head-on, resolve your issues and move toward a successful work relationship.

This training kit includes the following:

75-page binder full of advice, quick tips, assessments and worksheets.
CD of customizable, print-ready forms.
60-minute audio conference presentation Dealing With the Co-Worker From Hell with PowerPoint Presentation and pdf of the presentation slides.
60-minute audio conference presentation How to Manage Frenemies, Friction & Frustration at Work with PowerPoint Presentation and pdf of the presentation slides.