Nine Guaranteed Ways to Lose a Good Worker

Being a boss is never easy. You are constantly under stress and the welfare of your little or big empire rest squarely on your shoulders. Finding good help is extremely difficult to find in todays half ass culture, for this reason when you do have such a rare gem which performs up to and above the standards you want to hold on to him or her. Sadly, I have had many opportunities in my work to see examples on how you, the Boss, can run an employee worth keeping out. Please read these 9 ways you too could loose a good worker very carefully and should you see your behavior listed in one of them, it may be time to rethink your style a bit.

Talking over their heads.
You are in a room and you are being discussed over your head with a coworker as if you are not even there. Not only is this a kindergarten behavior and hardly worthy of an executive or owner, but it is also extremely rude and signals that you are looked upon as less then human. You have just telegraphed to your worker that they are not worth any more then the computer desk or a stray dog on the street.

Slamming Doors into their face when asked for information.
In every job there comes a time when a project requires additional information and clarification. Having to go to your Boss for anything is never a pleasant prospect, but if you have one of those that can never be bothered with unimportant details like running the business or answering work related questions and have the door slammed in your face instead, it won't take long before a change of employment is considered.

Calling them Names or talking bad about them in hearing distance.
Beware the snake in the grass and even more beware the Boss that is a crude, rude and obnoxious person. I don't care how slow witted, annoying a person is, you as a boss have no right to call the employee out of their name or talk badly about them either in hearing distance or behind their back. If you happen to feel the need to ridicule a good worker because you may not agree with their private life, the way their hair looks or because you are afraid that this person in due time could replace you on the throne, then you are running headlong into problems. This could not only result in this person quitting, but could lead to a lawsuit, a slap in the face or worth.

I can't be bothered with this, ever!
You have to get information and there is your Boss or Manager on a personal phone call, researching kids' cloth, the newest tech toy etc. He or she can not be bothered by you, because they are busy right now, or for that fact ever you have a big problem on your hand. Remember that you lead by example. If you are less then work appropriate and can not be bothered with making work and the running of you Business a priority, how do you expect your Workers to follow your lead? Private research and phone calls are for that, the private or off time. If you are in the workplace, please make sure your work is a priority.

Screaming at the workers before you get the facts.
One, you should never scream at a worker period, but doing so before you have all the facts is even worst. Try to be informed before you start making accusations of any kind. Get familiarized with the problem, before flexing your muscles. You may find that what you thought is true is completely of the base. You will stand with egg in your face and if it happens more then a couple of times, you may find yourself holding your project in your own hands. If something has not been completed on time, you may wish to ask yourself if the workload may have been too much of one person or if any other circumstances in which you may have had a part in could be responsible.

Berating a worker in front of others.
Sadly there are times, when even the best worker will make a mistake and at those times a talking to may be in order. What you don't want to do is berate that worker in front of others and in a volume that will echo down the street. Make sure you keep swear, cuss or other derogative words out of your speech. Never make stupid ultimatums like shape up or else unless you are willing to take the risk of having your bluff called. The statement you can be replaces, can easily be followed by a "Then replace me". If your worker does the workload of more then just one person and has performed in any other way above the standards set by others, perhaps such an anger induced statement should not even be considered.

Not supplying the necessary materials to complete a project.
If decorations for the office are more important then the office supplies, we have a problem. What is even worth is when the lack of supplies handicaps the operation of the entire company and the workers have to take the brunt. Never put your workers in the position to be unable to complete their work due to your neglect. A good worker will only put up with this oversight so long. If in due course they have to listen to your berating them for an undone or untimely completion on top of it, then you may find yourself between a rock and a hard place in no time and without the trusted help of the unappreciated worker.

Making vulgar, stupid or otherwise obnoxious and uncalled for comments.
Maybe you think it is funny when you imitated someone's speech, discuss the new workers anatomy or tell your worker that what you think about her home and taste in ...

I can almost guarantee you; he or she probably does not. Keep your obnoxious behaviors at home. Your thoughts are nobodies business but your own and unless your lifestyle is perfect and without blemishes you may wish to watch your vicious tongue a bit.

Screeching like a fish monger.
This is very unbecoming. I don't care if you are a lady or a gent. If you need to get your workers attention and you are not heard, then walk the few steps or ask someone to tell him or her that you are requesting them. However, screeching like a fish monger is very disturbing.

I have been in this position personally where my Boss showed all of the above named signs. Needless to say, this job is rather temporary and so will be the job of any Worker if treated with such extreme disrespect. A work place is never ones favorite place to be, but when it becomes a torture to just walk near it, because you know that you will be humiliated ones again, then this is a business that needs a new Manager or Owner. Eventually such behavior will lead into destruction of the company. Make certain yours is not one of them.