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Supervisors play an important role in assisting
employees with performance problems; they clarify work expectations;
give feedback when performance slips, as well as when it is satisfactory
or better; coach as employees are needing to learn new tasks
or to improve in performing acquired skills. Supervisors also
play an important role in assisting employees by recognizing
that performance problems can be related to a personal or work
concern.
When an employee’s performance
declines, or needs improvement, talking with the employee will
usually
be sufficient in reversing the decline, or fostering improvement.
However some employees do not respond to this and fail to change
their performance for the better.
It is important for the employee and the supervisor
to understand that unsatisfactory job performance is the primary
concern and the end goal is to encourage the employee to improve
work performance. When the supervisor is aware that work performance
has slipped due to personal problems, he or she may want to offer
information about resources available to the employee. The employee
is as important as the job he or she performs.
However, a supervisor may not know the employee
is experiencing personal problems, when work performance declines.
Whether the supervisor knows the reasons for the performance
decline or not, suggesting the employee avail him/herself of
resources at the university if they so desire, is appropriate.
The Counseling Assistance and Referral Service (CARS) is one
of these resources. It is not appropriate however, to coerce,
threaten, or demand that an employee seek assistance at CARS.
It is also not appropriate to discourage an employee who states
that they want to go to CARS, from trying to obtain services
at CARS. Seeking assistance or services at CARS is voluntary
and the focus is on encouraging personal and professional development.
In addition, employees are allowed work time to
attend CARS without using accumulated annual or sick leave. Whether
or not the employee chooses to utilize CARS, disciplinary action
and/or corrective action on the part of the supervisor will follow,
if work performance does not improve on a timely basis.
Supervisors do not need to know a great deal about
emotional disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, or medicine.
It is important, however, to be able to identify employees who
are troubled and be able to intervene appropriately. It is also
important when making a supervisory referral that the supervisor
does not imply in any way that they think the employee is disabled,
mentally ill, or needs counseling. It is important to stay focused
on objective, work-performance issues and if referring to CARS,
that the referral be based on job performance decline. Be aware
that when the issue is of impairment at work, there is policy
(Suspected Impairment at Work - #3270) that governs these situations
and the policy itself has a step-by-step procedure that is very
helpful.
Obtaining services at CARS is confidential and
supervisors will not receive any information about whether an
employee utilizes the services, unless the employee gives written
permission, usually by signing a release of information form.
In some cases, supervisors may request that attendance at appointments
be confirmed. Again, this is only done if the employee signs
a release of information giving CARS permission to do this.
It is important for supervisors
to remember that resolving personal issues takes time. CARS
staff recognize that
an employee’s productivity on the job is important and
interventions take that into consideration. The employee’s
health and well-being is important too and there is research-based
evidence that employee assistance programs like CARS help employees
take care of their health that results in increased productivity
and other benefits in the workplace. You can contact CARS at
272-6868 (Refer to the CARS Brochure for further information
on service and service access procedures).
CARS also offers Supervisory Consultation
services to managers and supervisors that are dealing with employees
who
are having problems that are impacting work performance. Mediation
and facilitation of meetings between supervisors and employees
are other services offered.
Regardless or our positions in the
University, we face a variety of issues in our daily lives at
work or at home. Usually, we
can work them out. When
help is needed, the Counseling Assistance and Referral Service UNM’s
Faculty and Staff Assistance is available to you.
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