#35 Pruning the Vine

When I say "pruning the vine" I mean disciplining those "bad actor" employees that deserve to be disciplined.   It means getting rid of the deadwood just as you would with a plant.  Pruning brings renewed life and vigor to a plant and promotes healthy growth.  "Pruning" can also be a very positive thing for an organization and all of its employees.

Sometimes the "pruning" can be drastic and sometimes it can be a snip here and a snip there --- if it is well thought out and done fairly -- it can be essential to maintaining a good healthy workplace.   If numerous interactive dialogues have taken place between supervisor and employee and clear expectations for this employee have been set, and the employee is just are not able or willing to change, then for the health of the organization the employee needs to be dealt with.

Other good employees who watch and work with the "bad actor" employee begin to feel great frustration.  They ask themselves and others why are they working so hard when so and so is not.  If the "bad actor" employee is not dealt with, after a fashion they begin to question management and start to think that no one is paying attention and that no one cares -- all of this leads to an organization with bad morale.

In state government especially it is often said, "It is so hard to do anything to employees -- labor unions and all.... you know".  Well I am here to tell you, that is absolutely not the case.  While it is a lot of work to put together an adverse action and deal with the potential subsequent hearings, it can be well worth a department's while.  The employer will either get the attention of the employee to let him/her know that they are serious; then the employee can decide between two choices -- s/he can either "clean up their act" or s/he can continue the bad performance/conduct and eventually earn him/herself an exit from state government.

Not only that, if the "bad actor" is dealt with, it sends a very positive message to everyone that someone is paying attention (and cares).  This is a good message for everyone  in the organization -- it also telegraphs to everyone in the organization that they too may need to "clean up their act".

While dismissal of an employee, of any tenure, is always a difficult decision, sometimes it is the only choice.  "Pruning the vine" in an honest and fair manner will help promote a healthy organization and a positive and energized workforce.