My employee seems to be sick on Fridays and Mondays

Guest post by: Howard Miller
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
Jumping to Conclusions - By Howard Miller

In a recent tennis match, one of my teammates was angry after his match. He lost and felt the other team didn't really play tennis. He said all they did was lob the ball, it wasn't fun. But it was a strategy which is legal and obviously worked.

Similarly, having an employee who seems to be sick right before or after a weekend could be very frustrating. It leads to all sorts of conclusions, doesn't it?

Let's face it; we don't think they're sick, do we?

So, what can you do about it? If your company has policies they are in alignment with, in other words, if they are within corporate policy guidelines, there really is nothing you can do to stop them.

But that's not fair. It doesn't set a good example to the rest of the team.

But it's legal. If you're company set policies which the employee is following, unless you are in a position to change the policy, you need to live by them.

But I don't trust them. They are getting away with something and I don't like it.

Ah, the challenges of being a manager or business owner with employees!

So what can you do?

Change your question to change your focus.

Your focus is completely subjective and attempting to come up with solutions based on your subjectivity will lead to increased frustration and no results.

So objectively - what's the issue with the employee being out? Are they doing their work?

If the answer is yes, but they could be doing more, you need to define the "more."

If the answer is yes, but it's not fair, then what you need to do is let go - this is your issue, causing you frustration, anger, stress or whatever unpleasantness you're experiencing. I know this is easier said then done; one of the biggest challenges for managers is to put their personal values aside.

If the answer is no, what aren't they doing? Focus on that - if it's a measurable goal already in writing, use that for reference. If its not, get it in writing and get it in their performance plan!

When you have frustrating situations and you ask yourself questions which help shift your focus:

You can shift from an issue with no answers to something with an objective measurement
You can let go of personal frustration
You can focus on results

How to Overcome Resistance in Your Home Based Business

Summertime Blues

Employer successfully questions an employee’s medical certificate

"I Love Mondays!" Are You Kidding Me?

Own Your Greatness: Market What Makes You As An Individual Unique

Good Hearted Living

Help - How Do I Fire My Employee?

Trust is a two-way street

Design Your Business to Fit Your Lifestyle

Turn Your Body Into A Fat-Burning Machine

Employee Retention Ideas

Welcome to Your Home Based Business

Five Secrets for Getting Twice the Marketing Done in Half the Time

...Now That's What You Call Reliable! (Work Ethic on Display)

The Power of Positive New Employee Inductions

Managers Beware: Tips to Prevent Liability under the ADA

Critical Illness Insurance for your child

Honesty Speaks Loudly in Many Languages

Not Having All the Answers...or Any For That Matter!

Learn how to effectively utilize employee attendance incentives

Home > Business-Coach > Howard Miller > My employee seems to be sick on Fridays and Mondays > Google +

Free PDF Download
Jumping to Conclusions - By Howard Miller

About the Author: Howard Miller

RSS for Howard's articles - Visit Howard's website

Howard Miller teaches management skills to new managers, seasoned managers, entrepreneurs and executives. He is on the faculty of AMA (American Management Association) and teaches courses including Skills for New Managers, Increasing Managerial Effectiveness, and Successfully Managing People). Topics include delegation and motivation methodologies, conflict, how to deal with difficult people, understanding values and behavior, feedback and listening skills.

Clients include mid-range to large companies such as the IRS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, IBM, state government, public school districts, and non profit organizations. Howard also does executive and business coaching with the Ken Blanchard organization.

Howard is the author of two book; You're Full of Shift, which contains short stories which demonstrate shifting difficult situations to opportunities and The Manager Trap: 13 ½ Pitfalls to Avoid which showcases common traps and pitfalls managers fall into including using a 4 letter word beginning with F that they should avoid!

Click here to visit Howard's website.

More from Howard Miller
The Facebook Revolution
Motivation with consequences
What have I learned in 6 months of management Part 1
I want them to want to be motivated to be on time
That person has a difficult personality

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

My employee seems to be sick on Fridays and Mondays

Related Articles

Related Forum Posts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.


Name:
Email: