thehubpaper.com
29th July - 11th August 2011
15
Business and Money Q
I have an employee who is bringing their personal problems into the office and it is having a huge impact on their performance at work. What steps can I take to deal with the situation? The key component with regards to employees’ personal issues would be to sit down and discuss the problem with them. This can help you as a business to discover the extent of the problem and whether or not you accept their dip in performance. In addition, by discussing the issue with the employee it shows that you are there to help, which can be a real motivator for them. The action you take and way in which you deal with the issue depends on the conclusion you come to once you have consulted with the employee. If it is not a problem which you believe warrants a drop in performance then it is important you outline this to the employee and tell them it is a problem that they should leave at home and not bring into the workplace. An issue seen as substantial enough may warrant a company offering the affected
employee time off in order to help them get over their personal issue. The amount of time off will depend on how the company perceive the problem and how long they believe it will take for an employee to be back to normal. Again, consultation with the employee here can allow both parties to come up with an agreed amount of time off. This time can be paid or unpaid at the discretion of the company.
performances at work. If this is the case it is important for businesses to discipline the employee in question (and go down a performance management route as an employee who is not fulfilling all of the obligations of their contract could end up having their employment terminated). It is a dismissible offence if an employee in not fulfilling all of the obligations outlined in their contracts to their full capability.
Another option is to reduce the employee’s workload, or offer them a more ‘watered down’ role within the company until they feel ready to work to their full potential again. The more difficult and stressful a role is, the more difficult it will be for an employee to carry out their job if they have other problems on their mind. By giving an employee a less taxing job it can help reduce their stress levels, whilst keeping them busy at work.
It is important for businesses to understand that none of the above are legal obligations when it comes to how to deal with an employee who is allowing a personal issue to affect their performance at work, unless it is backed up with a Fit Note.
As a business you can also recommend how you believe your employee can deal with their problem externally. Once you have understood the issue they have, you could put them in touch with counsellors or help groups who can assist
them with their problem. This can work well as if they are receiving professional advice it can speed up the recovery process meaning that the employee is firing on all cylinders in no time at all. Dependant on the business, you may decide to pay part or all of the money for the counselling or treatment the employee receives. If you believe the employee is ready to resume their
full responsibilities after allowing them some special dispensation and their performance shows no sign of picking up it is important to outline to the employee that their poor performance will not be tolerated for much longer. If you give an employee some time off or allow them to take a watered down version of their role, they may begin to take liabilities where they believe they can continue to get away with half hearted
At the end of the day, it is up to the business itself to decide how they will go about dealing with an underperforming employee. For example, a company who take pride in looking after their employees may decide to give an employee time off in order to get over their personal problems. In contrast however, a smaller company who cannot afford to lose an employees
productivity may decide that they cannot accept less than 100 per cent off the employee in question. Both of these are acceptable responses unless there is a Fit Note, which outlines that an employee cannot work. The decision taken may also be decided by how important the employee is to the organisation. A well respected, high performing employee may be offered the time off to deal with their personal problems in order to keep them motivated and make sure they stay loyal to the company. By the same token however, you may come to the conclusion that you cannot afford to lose the services of one of your top employees, therefore you do not allocate them the time off to recover. Overall, this is a difficult issue for businesses to deal with so my advice would be to make sure you consult with the employee to find out the extent of the problem and try to come up with a solution that suits both parties. If you need any more advice regarding this topic please contact Rhonda Brymer on 0779 159 4463 or via email, rhonda.brymer@peninsulauk.com
what’s on guide
Have an event you would like publicised?
Contact us; info@thehubpaper.com and we’ll publish it here to let everyone know about it . . THERE’S LOADS GOING ON AT UDDINGSTON COMMUNITY CENTRE TEL: 01698 813383 Playgroup - Monday 12.30-2.30, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9.30 - 11.30. Monday & Friday 12.30 - 2.30 Mini Ninjas - For 4-6 year olds. Monday 6.15-6.45pm & Thursday 6.30-7pm Yamakai Sports Karate - Monday 6.45-8pm & Thursday 7-8pm. Contact Liam Coakley 07771 818184 Arts & Crafts - Tuesday 7-9pm & Wednesday 10am-Noon. Dru Yoga - Thursdays. For info call Kay Elder on 07717 054325. Quilting - Wednesday 1-3.30pm. Dance Connection - Wednesday & Staurday. For info call 0141 778 5559 French for children - Starts 26/08. Spanish for children - Starts 24/08. Tel Joanne on 07535016758. Flower Arranging - Every 2nd Wednesday 7.30-9pm. Tae Kwon Do - Tuesday 6.307.30pm & Thursday 5.15 - 6.15pm. For info call Brian Locke on 01259 222810 Uddingston Pride - If you are interested in finding out more about the green fingered group who make Uddingston colourful
during the summer, call Liz Wilson on 01698 814822 Al-Anon, - Family support & health group. Wed 7.45-9pm Baby Clinic - Monday 1-3pm. Zumba - come along dance and get fit fri.6-6.45pm Creative Writing for Children & Adults - contact centre for details Afternoon Yoga Class - every Thursday afternoon Computer classes available please contact centre for details WHATS ON AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY UDDINGSTON LIBRARY, 51 BELLSHILL ROAD, 01698 813431 Book Start Rhymetime - Tuesday 2-2.30pm. For 0-3 year olds. Come along for stories, songs and fun. Readers Group - Second Tuesday of the month 11am. Computer Classes - Wednesdays 9.30am - 12noon. First steps in IT. Friday 9.30am - 12.30pm First Step Web. Call 01698 813431 for info. BOTHWELL LIBRARY, THE DONALD INSTITUE, MAIN STREET. 01698 853150 Readers Group - First Thursday of the month. Please join us for a coffee and a chat.
BLANTYRE LIBRARY, CLYDEVIEW SHOPPING CENTRE. 01698 823808 Book Start Rhymetime - Thursday 2-2.30pm. For 0-3 year olds. Come along for stories, songs and fun. Readers Group - One Thursday per month. Please call for details. 8yrs and up. BELLSHILL CULTURAL CENTRE, JOHN ST. BELLSHILL. 01698 346770 Chatter Books - Tuesday (fortnightly) 16th February, 3.30 - 4.30pm. 8-12 year olds. Come along if you like reading and making new friends. Annette MacDonld, School of Dance Member BATD BB ST Ballet, Tap, Disco (Hip hop & street). Viewpark classes available. Please call for more information Ann: 01698 301 605 Annette: 07759 824 488 Motherwell classes every Thursday, Ages 2-6 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Ages 6-10 6:00pm to 7:30pm, Ages 11 and upwards 7:30pm to 9:00pm. For more information contact Ann : 01698 301 605, Annette : 07759 824 488 or E-Mail Annette on weenet@hotmail.co.uk
Adult Beginners Ballroom / Latin American Dance Class. Bothwell Parish Church Centre, Main Street, Bothwell.7.30pm on Monday evenings (Also St. Peter`s Hall Hamilton on Thursday and Friday evenings). For details contact Lorraine and Ian on 01698 458386, or email ianmckinnie112@tiscali.co.uk CRAIGNEUK Craigneuk Lifelong Learning Association provides a Mother/ Toddler group that runs on a Wednesday morning 9.30 to 11.30am. Please come along and have fun. We are also running a Zumba Class on Friday afternoons 1.00 to 2.00pm To register, or for further information, please contact Louise on 01698 373401 or pop into the unit at 641a Glasgow Road Craigneuk VIEWPARK St Columbas Football Club, are looking for players born in 1996 for their Under 15’s team For all positions. Contact Karen Quinn: 07900 994 121 PRINCESS ROYAL TRUST LANARKSHIRE CARERS CENTRE Tel: 01698 428090
The centre provides Support, Training, Information, Access to Services, , Pampering, Contact with other Carers, and most importantly a listening ear with someone who understands. Carer Support Groups and Outreaches: Locally based Carer Support Workers are available to offer Support and Information. For many, their local Carer Support Group provides a valuable relief from isolation and the opportunity to get involved in social activities where it’s difficult to go on your own. Independent Pampering and Chiropody Services: The pampering service is available to all carers and their cared for within our Hamilton premises enabling carers to take time out from their caring role to relax with aromatherapy, reflexology, facials, pedicures, Indian head massage and paraffin wax treatments. Other treatments available include waxing and tinting. Charges are £11 per hour or £6 per half hour. To book an appointment please telephone 01698 428090. We also have a new Chiropody Service available to Carers and the cared for in our Airdrie Office at Airdrie Locality, 92 Hallcraig Street, Airdrie ML6 6AW. Charges
will apply from £6.00 to £11.00 depending on treatment required. To book an appointment please telephone 01236 755550. For further information on training and to book your place, please call 01698 428090 The above courses are free to Carers. A Carer is someone who without payment provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage without their help because of frailty, illness, disability, mental health issues and substance misuse. CARERS INFORMATION LINE: Freephone 0800 028 0287 If you look after someone there may be help available. • Feeling isolated? • Need practical help? • Want to know more about your rights? Free and confidential information every weekday, 9.00am to 4.30pm LARKFIELD SPIRITUALIST CHURCH Larkfield halls, Stonefield Rd, Blantyre G72 9PQ, Thursday evenings 8pm, come along see demonstration of clairvoyance from 8-pm- 9pm, healing service from 9.15- 10pm. 01698823117 (hall number)