For a startup just getting off the ground, a toxic employee can be detrimental to the work environment. Not only can a bad attitude negatively affect the overall morale of the company, but an underperforming employee's actions could potentially derail business operations if not acknowledged and handled immediately.
Six entrepreneurs from FounderSociety (FS) discuss the situations they've encountered when dealing with major employee issues, as well as the steps they've taken to get to the root of the problem and swiftly take the necessary actions.
1. The "Debbie Downer"
Pessimism can spread quickly, and frequently starts with one individual. It's a challenge to provide an upbeat culture that simultaneously advocates open communication, professionalism, and teamwork. I had an employee try to bring DDS (Debbie Downer Syndrome) onto the Beachy team, and after many courageous counseling conversations, this employee was quickly and cleanly let go. Attitude matters! –Matt Houston, Beachy
2. Underperforming talent
Understanding what motivates talent and creating a mutually agreed upon plan of growth is what is supposed to work well. Often the problem arises despite adopting this strategy and talent fails to "get with the program." Diving deeper into understanding talent's desires and ambitions is the only way I know if the person needs additional support or needs to be let go. –Vivek Narayan, GorMonjee Inc
3. Employees trying to steal your business
In the world of online business, everyone seems to jump from company to company in a short period of time. Every time this happens, you are at risk of your employees and business team taking your clients, business deals, and secrets with them. One way to help stop this from happening is to have new hires sign a non-compete which wouldn't allow them to bounce over to your best competitors. –Zac Johnson, Blogging.org
4. Lost trust
One of our biggest core values is good communication. We've built an environment where we encourage 360-degree honest feedback, and trust is given until it is lost. We had a situation with a long-time worker in which, over time, trust had been lost. The worker was no longer clearly communicating, so I had to proactively intervene and get to the heart of the problem and correct the root cause. –Steven Newlon, SYN3RGY Creative Group
5. Misalignment of values
Business is an endless transaction of personal and professional values. When there is misalignment, honest corrective conversation can help both parties to realign personal needs with the ideals of the company. However, sometimes situations or individuals generate irreparable conditions that make it best to part ways so both parties can continue their unique journeys of growth. –O. Liam Wright, True Interaction
6. Not showing up to work
At my previous startup we tried to have a flexible, "work from home if you want" policy. It worked great until one employee took it too far. When I confronted her about it, she denied that she wasn't working as much as everyone else, so I had to spend some time documenting the problem and take it to the rest of the team. –Lisa Curtis, Kuli Kuli
