Management Question - Page 2

This seems like the crux of the problem. The "manage by walking around" style is universally hated by lower-level employees because it basically means you're treating them like children. It is often an indication that management (in this case, you or your superior) has thus far done an inadequate job of informing the front line people what is expected of them. Which is not surprising given the second half of the sentence - you don't want a whole list of things that they're supposed to do, you want one thing that they can remember and understand, reduced to its simplest form. I.E. "Your job is to be an available source of knowledge for our patrons." Then, when an employee is listening to the radio, you can just say "the radio makes you less available and therefore interferes with your primary responsibility." Instead of standing behind them during interviews, just leave them alone and encourage them to seek you out afterward if there's something they don't know. Give them positive feedback for being proactive, and eventually word will spread. Since you're leaving soon this might not be possible, but a good culture takes time to build.

For accountability, try asking your patrons for feedback out of earshot of your employees at random. If there's any positive feedback, share it with the whole office. If there's any negative feedback, try and address it in a friendly and constructive way.

If after all this, you still have employees that are just dead weight, then it's probably ok to fire them. But the onus is on you first to create a good work environment.

I agree with the first part of this but I laugh at the second part.

1 - It has been my experience that depending on which branch of the military you served in the above is true. Mostly Army & Marines, they are taught more of a harsh leadership style. Not that its wrong but it dosen't come across well for most who have never served in the military. It may not be what you are saying but how you say it.

2 - Union? I'm pro union and like the OP I'm a first line supervisor who deals with union employees. Union or not everyone can be fired. It may take longer and A LOT more paperwork but it can be done.


I just did a quick check and GS 5 - 8 can average between $30K - $45K and a GS-11 = $60K+ maybe here on styleforum that's low pay but I know plenty of people who don't make $45K let alone $60K, Espically if these are entry level positions. The average household income in the USA is around $60K so anyone making more then $30K is a head of the game.

To the OP,

Do you know what the supervisor was like that you replaced? Employees can get used to one style and have a hard time getting used to a new style/supervisor. I would guess that most of it is all the employees getting used to a new supervisor.

Which agency do you work for?

That is exactly what I said. I said if it was one problem employee it could be dealt with, but if it involves most of the group he manages he will not be able to do anything. Unions help people who are below average performers at the expense of those who are above average performers. That is why after a while the only one's left are below average performers and the industries that are heavily unionized end up being non-competitive and underachieving.

You have your opinion & I have mine

Sounds like you are a good manager.

I would not change your style at all, but just make sure you give your employees recognition when they do a good job as well.

It is not a matter of opinion, it is a fact supported by evidence. But whatever...