Which of Your Employees Will Be Replaced by Robots?

Raza Rauf on April 28, 2017

Concerns about automation and the shape of the current workforce have been common for some time. Many people are aware how robotics affected key industries in the U.S., especially in the manufacturing and production industry, but as technology becomes more sophisticated, worries continue to spread.

It is estimated that almost half of all activities occurring in the workplace today could potentially be replaced by automation. However, that doesn’t mean those changes are just around the corner. In fact, no one is entirely sure when some of the changes will come to be. Why? Because much of it relies on breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence while also requiring economic conditions that favor the change.

At this time, it isn’t possible to predict the future of artificial intelligence, especially with skills related to language processing and machine learning. Since there is no way to know when these advances may occur, it isn’t reasonable to assume how and when they will change the workplace as we understand it today.

Which Employees Are Most at Risk?

In most cases, automation is directed at repetitive tasks. Generally, this requires the work to be highly structured and that it takes place in a predictable environment. Within the U.S. economy, most of these sorts of tasks are located in manufacturing and production environments, as well as certain food service and hospitality positions, and retail trade.

However, not every task performed in these environments are typically considered eligible for automation even in those environments. Any work that varies dramatically within the same task set may not be eligible. Additionally, tasks that require critical thinking or problem-solving may not be suitable for automation at this time.

Alternative Work

Even if employees find some of their tasks in the crosshairs, that doesn’t mean their entire position becomes irrelevant. Instead, they may simply be able to put their more repetitive tasks aside and redirect those efforts to more complex duties.

Additionally, automated operations will still require support from actual employees. For example, an automated process requires a technical solution to be programmed to handle the work, and that requires input from appropriate IT personnel. Additionally, duties that require the use of robotic components will need mechanical maintenance support personnel to keep those operations functioning properly.

Another Pain Point

While advances in technology can occur at any time, there is no way to immediately create a skilled technical workforce that is capable of implementing and supporting any particular technology. At this time, unemployment amongst tech professionals is particularly low. And there are concerns that a workforce shortfall will continue in these areas for the foreseeable future.

If the right technical personnel are available to create and install automated solutions, then the rate at which any technology can be deployed is automatically controlled based on that issue alone.

However, companies can prepare for the possibility of increased automation in the workplace by supporting their employees. If you find a worker would benefit from professional development that can help further business goals and better position them to avoid being replaced by technology in the future, then that is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

If you are interested methods for supporting your current employees during times of change or are looking to hire additional workers, The Advance Group has the industry expertise you need to accomplish either task. Contact us to speak with a member of our professional staff today.

The Real Importance of “Culture Fit”

Raza Rauf on April 17, 2017

Hiring for culture fit has been making its way into hiring processes for some time now. People understand that choosing a person who fits into the larger corporate culture is more likely to integrate into a team. But what exactly does it mean to find someone who fits into the culture, and does it hamper efforts in other areas, like diversity?

Many people mistakenly think that a person has to be like them to fit in culturally. While we are automatically more comfortable with people who exhibit traits similar to our own, that isn’t what defines a culture fit. In fact, it may also be a method for unintentional hiring bias.

Instead, businesses need to seek out candidates who fit based on the company’s core values. Since these are considered a driving force in how the organization does business, choosing someone who can’t align with this part of the mission likely won’t last. However, people from all walks of life have the potential to fit based on these values, which also leaves the path open for diversity.

But why is hiring based on culture fit so important? Here are just a few reasons.

Creates Cohesion

A team that is functioning based on the same core values will typically work better together than those with disjointed opinions regarding these priorities. Essentially, it ensures that everyone is working to meet the same standards and achieve the same mission.

It also gives everyone a sense of common ground when interacting with one another. Since everyone has similar values, they are more likely to find methods to resolve differences as they arise, both professional or personal in nature.

Built-In Accountability

When a team works with the same vision, they are more inclined to hold each other accountable with regards to tasks that are associated with the mission. Everyone wants to see the company grow and succeed. So, if a person drops the ball, they are more likely to be managed by those around them as a side effect of the relationships. Essentially, it can create a self-balancing system where everyone works to meet the standards set not just by management, but by the group as a whole.

Promoting Creativity

People who work well together are more inclined to be creative and open. Having a level of comfort with one another helps employees feel safe in assuming a new perspective which can lead to innovation. Additionally, if the idea is ultimately shelved, they are more inclined to simply move on.

A culture fit makes employees feel well supported within the organization, and this can allow them to spread their wings and explore something new. And this is something you just won’t experience if you hire only individuals who act just like you. By choosing culture fit and diversity, you get the best of both worlds, and the quality of the team’s output will certainly show it.

If you are looking for a new employee to join your team and want to know how to hire for culture fit, the experienced recruitment professionals at The Advance Group can help you find your ideal candidates. Contact us today and see how hiring for culture fit can transform your business.

Build Trust with Your Admin Employees

Raza Rauf on April 10, 2017

A company that operates without trust isn’t likely to be a long-term success. Members of your team need to know that their leaders have everyone’s best interests in mind and not just the company’s bottom line. This fact is even more imperative as many workers still remember being burned by the businesses for which they worked during the last recession.

To help you create and maintain a sense of trust with your admin employees, here are some tips to get you on your way.

Prioritize Communication

Most employees understand that you can’t tell them everything that is happening within the business. However, they can also tell when something is being withheld that shouldn’t be.

Pertinent communication needs to happen in a timely fashion, and general communication should happen often. Whether this is through regular staff meetings, company newsletters or any other mechanism, keeping employees informed regarding upcoming changes is critical. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to reinforce company goals to ensure everyone is working with the same goals in mind.

Provide Effective Feedback

Some managers are surprised to find employees would rather receive effective and honest feedback then only have their praises sung. Being honest regarding what is going right in terms of performance and which areas can use improvement helps them develop professionally, something most top workers are looking to do.

However, when negative feedback is required, it is important to handle it in the right way. First, it is critical to guide employees towards a better path, not insult them for mistakes they have made. The idea is to open a dialogue that allows you both to discuss what changes can be made to create the needed improvement. By treating it as a joint venture, the employee will be more receptive. Plus, since there is a back and forth, you can be sure they fully understand the points as well as the actions required to get things back on track.

Never Badmouth Anyone

As a member of the leadership team, it is important to never badmouth any employee – regardless of whether they are a part of your group. As soon as an employee witnesses their manager speaking poorly of someone behind their back, it is easy to assume that they may also be the subject of such talk when you are speaking with someone else.

Once an employee hears a manager talking about someone behind their back, it may not be possible to ever fully regain their trust regardless of your actions towards them specifically.

Follow Through

When you make a commitment to your employees or anyone else in the business, it is important to follow through. Failing to meet your obligations, especially promises you chose to make, will not inspire trust and may even make them less motivated to meet their obligations. If you want your employees to keep their word, then you need to keep yours. It’s as simple as that.

If you are looking to add a new member you can trust to your admin team, The Advance Group has the expertise required to help you find the right fit. Contact us to explore your options today.

How to Guarantee You’ll Always Hire the Right Industrial Employee

Raza Rauf on March 27, 2017

When a new light industrial employee doesn’t work out, it is easy to simply call it a bad hire and move on. But sometimes ending up with the wrong employee has more to do with the hiring process than the person who was selected. Failing to consider the role of the recruitment process means you aren’t ensuring that the next candidate selected won’t bring the same results as the first, so it is important to be open to changes.

Luckily, there are steps you can take that will practically guarantee you’ll make the right hiring decision almost every time. To help you get your industrial hiring process on track, here are some tried-and-true methods for increasing your odds of hiring the right person.

Create a Plan

Hiring a new light industrial employee requires planning because no two instances are exactly the same. Even if you are hiring for a position that is common in your organization, that doesn’t mean you can use a cookie cutter process.

First, you need to determine if any skill gaps are present. Since every employee you have brings different things to the table, it is important to consider whether the team has any gaps that need to be filled. This will give you a point of focus as you move forward.

Then, determine what needs to happen to attract a candidate with the right skills to fill those gaps. In the end, this helps you create the strongest team possible which, in an industrial environment, is often the larger goal.

Add a Phone Screening

Since you know which skills are the most important, consider narrowing down your candidate field with a quick phone screening. This helps eliminate applicants who ultimately won’t meet your needs even if they appear to have the right skills on paper. You can streamline the hiring process by only bringing in the strongest candidates for actual interviews, saving both time and hassle while still ensuring a quality match.

Check References

If you are considering candidates with previous on-the-job experience, don’t hesitate to contact their references to see how they used those skills on the job. You’ll also find out about their reliability on the job, as well as insights regarding how they fit into the culture of their prior employers.

This can serve as a great way to get foundational information about who the candidates are as individuals, instead of just a skill set on a piece of paper. So, use the time wisely and ask the questions that get you the answers you need.

Be Open About Compensation

A lot of companies hold details about compensation close to the chest. However, this can come back to hurt you if you limit the field of candidates only to later find out their salary requirements simply aren’t feasible for your company. Instead of holding these details until the end of the process, consider presenting them closer to the beginning, such as during the phone screening. That way, only candidates that are open to accepting the salary you have available will be included in the later rounds, and you don’t have to worry about finding a perfect candidate that you can’t afford.

Enlist the Help of Experts

Sometimes, the easiest way to increase your odds of hiring the perfect light industrial employee is to work with hiring experts, like the team at The Advance Group. Contact us today to speak to one of our skilled recruiters and see how working with hiring experts can get you the results you need, every time.

Need to Hire Fast? Here’s Why You Might Want to Pump the Brakes

Raza Rauf on March 13, 2017

A business is only as strong as its employees. And that means you need to hire right. But, when you are under pressure to get someone new onboard quickly, you may be tempted to rush things along to get a person into the position, even if they aren’t a perfect fit.

However, hiring can be challenging even under the best of circumstances, and cutting the timeline down doesn’t make it easier. In fact, it can lead to some significant mistakes. Before you allow the pressure to move forward override your better judgment, you might want to consider slowing things down a bit. And here’s why.

You Haven’t Nailed Down What You Need

Sometimes, you know you are in desperate need of another set of hands, but you aren’t exactly sure what those hands need to be able to do. Failing to define the role before looking for candidates may lead you to choose a candidate that has well-developed skills, but ultimately doesn’t have the capabilities you actually need.

If you haven’t defined what the new employee will need to do on a daily basis, as well as how the position fits into the larger picture, you are better holding off until you can clarify your actual needs. That way you are screening candidates that will help your company move forward by filling in critical skill gaps instead of picking up a set of hands that can’t do what you actually need.

You Aren’t Sure About the Budget

Every position needs to be associated with a budget. You need to know what you can afford to offer in salary and benefits, as well as invest into things like training. If you don’t have the financial points figured out, you may end up evaluating candidates that you simply can’t afford. Or, you could end up undershooting what you could have and miss out on the chance to get a more skilled employee in the door.

In business, budgets are always important. So make sure you can identify precisely what you can and can’t afford before you begin your search.

You Can’t Evaluate Candidates Properly

Typically, hiring a new employee requires you to assess whether a stranger can meet your needs. Most of the hiring process is designed to help you determine whether the candidate is the right kind of person for the job, and this goes beyond simply holding the right skill set. If you rush the vetting process along, you might not get the insights into their personality that you would otherwise get. And that can lead to a poor fit.

While securing the right skills is important, cultural fit is just as relevant to long-term success. So, make sure you give yourself a chance to see if who they are as individuals fits in with the rest of the team or business. Otherwise, you might find yourself regretting your hiring decision.

If you find yourself pressed for time when hiring, consider working with The Advance Group to find your next employee. We can manage the prescreening process for you so you can dedicate more time to getting to know the candidates. That way you can select the best option available even if you are limited on time. Contact us today and speak with one of our recruitment specialists to see how we can help you hire quickly and effectively, instead of just quickly.

What Are the Best IT Employees Looking For?

Raza Rauf on February 24, 2017

A business is only as good as the people it hires. So, it’s no wonder that every company wants to find the best IT employees available. But what exactly attracts the best IT professionals to an organization? The answer may surprise you.

A Challenge

The best and the brightest IT employees want to solve challenging problems. It keeps them engaged in the workplace and gives them an opportunity to flex their creative problem-solving muscles.

One of the biggest factors that lead talented employees to look for new opportunities is boredom. While every day isn’t going to be laden with the troubles of the world, having regular opportunities to think outside the box will keep them interested long term.

However, it is important that the challenge not be solely an issue of volume. Having more work than any person can reasonably keep up with will just breed frustration. Creating a challenge isn’t about working your IT professionals to death, it about letting them use their skills in new or unconventional ways.

Flexibility

Flexible schedules are becoming more common, especially as potential employers work to lure in the best IT employees. Nontraditional hours, compressed weeks, remote worker options, or a combination of all three can help attract candidates that value work-life balance as much as their career. Flexibility is becoming a new standard in the workplace, and failing to get onboard could lead skilled employees to look for opportunities elsewhere.

Training and Education

Your most driven employees have big plans for their careers and, if you choose to be a part of that plan, you can retain top performers longer. Whether you offer traditional training options, educational incentives, mentoring and job shadowing options, or simple cross-training opportunities, giving them a chance to grow in their career will give them the incentive to stay with your organizations. Superstar workers likely don’t see their current position as the endpoint of their career, so it’s better to work with that then fight against it.

Updated Technology

You won’t keep the best IT workers if your tech isn’t up with the times. While you don’t have to embrace every new tool or technology that comes around, it is important that your current solutions are reasonably modern. Cloud-solutions, mobile technology, and updated software options are all critical to when you are looking to hire the cream of the crop. So, if your office computers still feature Windows XP or your idea of mobile technology is limited to a source of email on the go, you might find it hard to attract younger professionals in the current job market.

Competitive Compensation

Regardless of what else you have to offer, if you don’t have a competitive compensation package, you are going to miss out. Do some research and see what similar employees are being offered by your competitors and then make sure you are operating in the same ballpark. While salary isn’t the only factor in deciding whether to accept a job offer, it is always a factor.

If you are looking to hire a new IT professional for your business, The Advance Group has the industry knowledge and hiring expertise to find you ideal candidates for your needs. Contact us today and put us to work for you.

Get Your New Staff Up to Speed in 2017

Raza Rauf on February 17, 2017

One you’ve selected a candidate and they arrive for their first day on the job, the hard part is done, right? Nope, not even close.

Onboarding new employees properly is a key step to their ultimate success in the workplace, and it is surprisingly easy to get wrong. If you want your new staff to get up to speed as efficiently as possible, integrate these tips into your new employee onboarding process.

Avoid Quick Judgments

Think back to the last time you started a position with a new company. How long did it take you to feel confident in your daily work? A month? Six months? A year?

Some companies operate under the idea that a new employee should be completely comfortable in as little as two weeks. And, normally, that just isn’t enough time to determine an employee’s likelihood of success over the long term.

Instead of rushing to judgment regarding their capabilities, see those first few months as investments in their development, especially if the position is entry-level. Set goals regarding how their abilities should grow, and create training opportunities around meeting those goals. By creating a larger plan, it is easier to see how long it should actually take for all of your expectations to be met.

Help Them Connect to the Mission

It can be hard for new employees to see how their work fits into the larger picture. But not having that sense of larger purpose can actually be very harmful to morale.

Instead of leaving new employees floundering as they try and figure out how their work fits in, help them learn about how everything comes together. Introduce them to the people their work supports, and let them know how that work furthers the mission. It’s also useful to share success stories about the company’s work so that the end results are easier to grasp.

Recognize Achievements

As the employee begins to pick up new tasks and make progress through training plans, make sure and acknowledge their effort. By letting them know that you see their effort, you help them build confidence in their new positions and can help encourage additional development in the future.

Employees that feel acknowledge are often more productive. And that, when that is applied to an employee going through the onboarding process, can help motivate them to push through what can be a challenging time.

This also opens the door to have conversations about any challenges they are facing. Often, it is easier to discuss problem areas when you feel that your hard work is otherwise recognized, which may make them more comfortable when it comes time to ask for help.

Learn from Your Mistakes

As you work on the onboarding process, it is likely you’ll try some techniques that work while others simply don’t. Just as it takes some trial and error to learn a new job, the same can be said for creating the ideal onboarding process. So, give yourself the time it takes to work out the kinks, and you’ll end up with a system you can build on for years to come.

If you’re looking for your next new employee for 2017, The Advance Group is here to help. Contact us and speak with one of your professional recruiters about your hiring needs today.

Are Top Candidates Slipping Out of Your Grasp?

Raza Rauf on February 3, 2017

You’ve read through mountains of resumes and applications and left messages to schedule interviews. Sometimes, you’ve even conducted the interviews and began the second round or even made a job offer. And, then, nothing. It’s as if the candidate has just disappeared. No returned phone call, no cancellation email, just gone.

Having top candidates just dissolve into the ether leaves hiring managers with a lot of questions, especially if they thought the person could be the ideal employee. And that makes finding out what is happening even more important. While not every candidate ceases contact for the same reason, there are certain factors that increase the odds. If more candidates seem to be vanishing into thin air, here are some common reasons that may be driving their decision.

You Disappeared First

Candidates have expectations regarding communication, just as you do. If you fall short of their expectations, they may simply write off the opportunity as a wasted venture. When a person applies for a position, they often expect certain responses as the process moves forward. This includes a quick note that the application was received, updates regarding any progress, contact after interviews if they weren’t selected and more.

If your company is falling short in these areas, top candidates may lose interest in potentially working for your company. And, sometimes, that means they simply won’t respond when you do finally reach out.

Your Process is Slow

Unemployment numbers are low, but hiring processes haven’t been streamlined to compensate for the high competition for top candidates. If an applicant is truly talented, possessing the right combination of knowledge and experience, then demand for them will be high. And, if they have a particularly hard to find skill set, your competitors might be considering them too.

If your process moves too slowly, you may miss out on these candidates for numerous reasons. First, they may get an offer from another company. Once that happens, some job seekers simply remove themselves from the job market and just stop responding to other offers.

Second, some candidates see a slow process as a sign about how your company manages other internal practices. They may question the level of organization surrounding the hiring process, or how much of a priority the position actually is. Others will see it as a sign that they might not be an ideal candidate, and that your silence is a sign that you aren’t interested. Then, even if you call, the applicant may have concerns that they were chosen as a last resort.

While you can’t accelerate through all portions of the process, keeping candidates informed can help compensate for the delays. Open communication lets the applicant know that you appreciate their effort and that they are still in contention. Granted, it might not prevent them from accepting another offer, but it can give them a reason to take your call when the time comes.

If you need assistance accelerating your hiring process, the professionals at The Advance Group have the processes you need to keep things moving forward. Contact us and speak with one of our professional recruiters today to see what services we have to offer.

Sylvania OPEN Registration

Raza Rauf on January 26, 2017

Join us tomorrow Friday, January 27th

Open Registration

5800 Monroe St Bldg F

Sylvania, Ohio 43560

8:00am-2:00pm

Please make sure you bring 2 forms of valid ID

State ID/Driver’s License AND Social Security Card/Birth Certificate.

419-882-7646

Motivation Low Around the Holiday Season? Use These Tips for an Instant Boost!

Raza Rauf on December 23, 2016

The holiday season has us pulled in all different directions. Preparing for family gatherings, budgeting for holiday shopping and the general demands surrounding the season can be overwhelming by themselves. Add the stress of the year-end activities at most workplaces, and it can be hard to keep yourself motivated to accomplish everything that needs to be done.

Set Reasonable Goals

Motivation can dwindle when it feels like the work is just piling up. However, you can make all of your responsibilities seem more manageable by dividing tasks into small specific goals. Whether the activities relate to work or your personal life, split each task into subtasks that can be completed in less than half an hour. That way, instead of trying to motivate yourself for the entire project, you just have to manage the motivation for a single task.

You can make yourself a list, set appointments on your calendar or use whatever method works for you. Then focus on the small task at hand until it is complete. Once you are done, check it off of your list and move on to the next. Just repeat the process, and you’ll reach the end before you know it.

The same process can also combat decision fatigue by spacing out the major decisions that have to be made.

Manage Your Health

When the pace of the holiday season has us scrambling, it is easy to neglect your own health. Besides the plethora of sweets and other seasonal food trappings, it is easy to put off workouts and even sleep. All of this can leave you tired and worn out. Making an effort to look after your health helps keep your energy levels up. You’ll be better equipped to manage the day when you provide yourself with the proper nutrition and take the time to exercise.

Additionally, make sure relaxation is part of your schedule. Whether it is participating in a hobby, watching your favorite holiday movie or kicking back with a book and some hot apple cider, taking time for yourself will help you recharge before the next challenge.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, affects many adults in the U.S. Symptoms are similar to those suffering from depression, including difficulty sleeping and a general sense of fatigue. The primary cause of SAD is simply a lack of sunlight. It’s dark later into the morning and earlier at night. This excess darkness can affect you in a negative way and make finding motivation more difficult.

The easiest way to combat SAD is to enjoy some time outdoors. While the cold weather may make this seem unappealing, it can actually provide significant benefits. Consider taking a brisk walk outside during your lunch break. Not only will this provide some needed outdoor time, but it also acts as a form of exercise. If you want to experience even more benefits, bring a friend along for a chat. Then you can get the social connection you need while you work towards a more motivated you.

Sometimes a change of pace is all you need to feel motivated again. Luckily, Advance Staffing Solutions is here to help. If you think a new job is a key to feeling more motivated, contact us today and see what jobs are available.

Is It Time For Your Company to Staff Up?

Raza Rauf on December 19, 2016

The end of the year is traditionally a time for reflection. In a business sense, companies often review budgets and create a plan for the upcoming year. This makes it an ideal time to consider your staffing needs for the future, and begin to staff up.

Recruiting is a vital part of any business strategy, but it can be challenging to decide if now is the right time to bring on new staff members. Whether your company recently added a vacancy or is considering supplementing your current team, here are some signs that now may be the right time to bring on an extra set of hands (or two!) and staff up.

Workload Issues

The biggest sign that it is time to bring on new employees is the simple inability to keep up with the current workload. Often, increasing workloads mean that business has also increased, which it an excellent development. But not being able to keep up with the new business could have repercussions.

While it is common to avoid overstaffing, if your ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks is compromised, that can have an adverse impact on business. Instead of running the risk of disappointing customers or members of management, it may just be time to invest in additional team members to manage the new pace.

Non-Emergent Tasks Take a Backseat

Sometimes you can keep up with the work that brings in the dollars, but other job duties begin to fall by the wayside. While letting non-vital tasks go during a short-term increase in business may be manageable, collecting a year’s worth of filing is a sign of a problem.

There are two ways to conquer a backlog of non-emergent tasks. One, you can hire an employee specifically to manage these tasks or to adjust the workload of others so that all members of the team can handle these duties more efficiently.

Your second option is to bring in a temporary or contract employee to manage these projects until the backlog is cleared. If the increase in business is temporary, as can be the case with seasonal businesses, a temporary employee may be just the ticket to get things back on track.

New Skill Gaps

A change in any business may make a skills gap more apparent. Whether you recently lost a team member that covered a specific subset of duties, or a change in process demands new skills to maintain an active workforce, the sudden appearance that the available skills are not enough is a sign to bring in someone new.

The longer a skills gap exists, the more operations in that area may suffer. Aside from slowing the pace of business, it can also lead to missed business opportunities as people scramble for a solution. Bringing in someone with those abilities lets you cover the gap immediately. They may also be able to cross-train co-workers, helping to prevent a similar situation in the future.

You’re Ready for New Ideas

Even the most competent team may become stagnant with time. Once everyone is familiar with the duties and has been using the same skills over the long-term, it may seem that new ideas are few and far between. Sometimes just bringing in a new set of eyes means you will have a source for ideas that current employees may not see.

When business is stable, and you have the room in your budget to bring in someone new, then they might be just the jumpstart you need to get things moving forward again.

If you think now is the right time to bring on someone new, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions have the knowledge you need to find the best fit for all of your permanent and temporary employment needs. Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today and let us help you staff up your workplace.

Resolve to Solve Employee Conflict Before the New Year

Raza Rauf on December 16, 2016

Employee conflict in the workplace can have significant damaging effects on your business. Not only can it make the environment more challenging to be in, but it can also hurt productivity, attendance, and profitability. The longer a workplace remains in a toxic state, the more difficult it is to reverse course.

By resolving to solve employee conflict issues as soon as possible, you can get your business back on track in time for the New Year. To help you take advantage of this perfect time to start anew, here are some tips to make workplace conflict a thing of the past.

Lead by Example

Your employees will not respect your position on employee conflict if you are unable to adhere to your own principles. Conflict management can be mitigated by setting a proper example of what is and is not acceptable. Don’t hold employees to standards that you are not willing to maintain yourself.

Act Early

It is easier to manage workplace conflicts when they are addressed early. The longer an issue is allowed to fester, the more entrenched it can become in your business’ culture. Over time, a problem between two people will grow to involve more employees. As word of the issue spreads, some employees will naturally choose sides, expanding the issue into other areas.

As tension mounts, you may find some of your employees choosing to leave the company instead of tolerating the situation. Many of your top talents can find work with other businesses in your industry and may exercise that ability if the workplace becomes unbearable.

Create a plan to manage conflicts as they arise. This can include mediation with supervisors or members of human resources, additional training on conflict management in the workplace, as well as disciplinary actions if necessary. Regardless of the content of the plan, it is important for it to be clearly defined and readily available to those working for your business. Maintaining a standard with clear expectations and consequences can alleviate any confusion regarding what will or won’t be tolerated.

Be Decisive

While a conflict may not resolve overnight, it is appropriate to set clear boundaries and expectations regarding employee behavior. However, you can’t solely rely on these rules if you aren’t willing to follow through with appropriate consequences should they be broken.

Create a disciplinary plan regarding how issues will be addressed if employees are not willing to work with the new program. Give them an opportunity to succeed, but also be willing to make the tough calls should someone repeatedly fail to align with the new workplace standards.

At times, the best course of action – after other corrective measures have been tried – is to release a problem employee from their position. While this may not be an appropriate first step, it can be necessary if an employee repeatedly ignores the new standards and any attempts to correct the behavior.

Again, if managed early, the damage to the rest of the business may be minimal, allowing you to bring in a new employee that promotes an ideal work environment.

If you think now is the right time to bring on someone new, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions have the knowledge you need to find the best fit for all of your new conflict-free workplace. Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today and see what they can do for your business.