Dear Dr. Mimi- Dealing with Employee Complaints

, ,

Dear Dr. Mimi:
What do I do about an employee who complains about other people? He is a hard worker, gets his work done on time and does it well … and finds time to come into my office to complain. He thinks he is being helpful. He even said that he is my extra set of “eyes and ears.” Sometimes he has a point, but often he is just complaining. As his manager, I want to show that I care, but it is wearing me down!
—Not Blind nor Deaf

Dear Not:
Remind your worker that while you appreciate all that he does, you have your own set of eyes and ears. Remind him that people work in different ways, and what works for him may not work for others in the same way. You might also want to ask him to put his thoughts in writing and/or give him more work to do, as he obviously has time on his hands.
—Dr. Mimi

Written By

drmimi

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Poor

    Dear Dr. Mimi,How do I ask my employer to assist me in paying for my education? I would use my education to get a better job in our company. I can’t afford it at the salary I am currently receiving. I know that they have paid others to go to classes in the past.—Poor Dear…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Improperly Trained

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I have an assignment and feel like I am falling behind because I simply don’t know what to do. I am new to the company and had one week to train and get familiar with the work environment, but I feel like my training was rushed and had gaps. How do I approach…

  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

    Imposter syndrome is the belief that one’s success is due to luck rather than skill, despite evidence of competence. Here’s how to overcome it. Imposter syndrome means you care about doing well. By recognizing these feelings and challenging them, you can achieve your goals with confidence.You’ve earned your success—now own it!