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Most Recent Question: Employee's Negative Comments
Dear Frances,
I work for a large medical company and have been employed for over 12 years. One of my management peers has a very negative behavior and is constantly making comments about the team. In management meetings this person interrupts others while speaking and doesn't hold back on negative comments.
The situation has been addressed with senior management and the employee's attitude remains the same. Nobody will escalate to HR because we are afraid of retaliation. I myself, numerous times, have tried to address the individual about my feelings. Things will improve for a short time only. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Susan
Susan,
Difficult people rarely recognize how others see them and this behavior will continue until the individual faces some kind of confrontation that really shakes him/her up. Although I do not advocate being rude or nasty, a gentle talk by one person who does not have influence or power over this person will not work.
If you care about this person, I would recommend all this person's peers and/or subordinates gather together to meet with the person in question. Appoint one spokesperson for the group to clearly and frankly put forth your issues, but all parties should be present. Make it clear that you are doing this because you care about the person, which is why you have not reported this to HR, but the rude and negative behavior has got to stop. Indicate you recognize this person may not be fully conscious of what he/she is doing and you are willing to work with him/her to make him/her conscious of such behavior as it arises. I doubt any single individual could affect a behavior change in this party, but the confrontation of everyone he/she works with would have an impact.
If this is not feasible, you have no choice but to go to Human Resources. Here again, I recommend, it be done as a group for greater impact and to preclude the retaliation you fear.
Good luck!
Fran
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