HR MANAGEMENT - How to Deal With Unprofessional Employees

by Carl Hose, Demand Media

Unprofessional behavior in the workplace ranges from habitual tardiness or absence, to harassing other employees or bringing personal issues to the job. Unprofessional behavior can disrupt the workplace as a whole and should be dealt with as quickly as possible. Depending on the specific behavior, there are appropriate ways to deal with an unprofessional employee.

Step 1

Note the unprofessional behavior you observe and locate the appropriate section regarding that behavior in the employee handbook, if your firm has one. Detail times and dates you observed the behavior.

Step 2

Meet with the employee in question. Let the employee know what you've observed and why the behavior is inappropriate. Point to the appropriate sections of the employee handbook relating to professional behavior on the job and allow the employee to read the rules pertaining to the situation.

Step 3

Be fair during the process and allow the employee to offer a defense. While there is no real defense for behavior the company considers unprofessional, not giving the employee a chance to defend himself would be unprofessional in itself.

Step 4

Discuss the possible avenues you can pursue regarding the behavior. These may range from probation to loss of the employee's job. Tell the employee the consequence you've chosen. Avoid dismissal if the unprofessional behavior isn't severe or hasn't been ongoing. A probationary period might be more acceptable.

Step 5

Meet with the employee at the end of the probationary period to discuss any infractions or to let the employee know her behavior has improved.