Want To Solve The 'Problem Employee' Problem? Declare War

Your problem is the same problem that it's always been: your problem employee. The problem employee is the one employee that eats up your time. Although you should take your time and invest a great deal of energy to hire the right person for the job, you shouldn't hesitate to let go of that person when you realize he or she is not working out.

Doing so will allow you to focus on those employees that deserve your attention, and it will allow your organization to move forward to a new level. It will invigorate the rest of your work force, as employees realize that you won't let them get bogged down working alongside unproductive people. You will foster a culture of excellence in your workplace.

This article appeared in the March 2, 2007 issue of The Daily Journal of Commerce - Portland, OR.