Both supervisors and employees often dislike performance reviews. They take time, effort, paperwork and may involve conflict and confrontation. It is a task that often gets pushed aside or ignored. Here is practical advice on ways to improve a performance discussion for employees and supervisors.
Organizations prepared to deal with violence are the exception rather than the rule. There were 564 workplace homicides in 2005, and homicide is the leading cause of death for women at work and the second leading cause of fatal occupational injury for men.
What characteristics make for an effective supervisor? After reading this article, which also describes a former federal employee’s personal experiences as an employee and as a supervisor, you will have a good idea of the varied skills and attributes necessary to succeed in this difficult task.
Poor supervision drives good employees away. What problems do they create and how do good intentions go wrong? Here are some examples and problems that can be avoided.
How widespread is the perception that supervisors in federal agencies are ineffective and what are the implications of this perception for the federal workforce?
Do you have cyberloafers and cyberslackers in your workplace? Most organizations have some but it is probably a small percentage of the workforce. Some supervisors devise a solution that penalizes the whole group and not just the major offenders. Here is a summary of the most common time wasting activities and suggestions for dealing with the problem.
An earlier article on dress codes in the federal workplace generated many comments from federal employees. Here is a follow-up article to address some of the issues raised by readers.
Violence in the workplace can happen anywhere. Despite the myths that often accompany violent behavior, agencies can take action that can prevent violence.
Are dress codes an anachronism in federal agencies? Should employees be able to wear plastic flip-flops and tank tops when they come to work? Should agencies care about their public image? Here are several observations from a former federal human resources professional on the subject.
Happier, more optimistic people tend to be healthier and live longer. Do what makes you happy. And don’t postpone things (like dream trips) indefinitely, on the assumption that you can always take them later.
