As a company leader, do you ever find yourself lamenting the employees who just don’t seem to get it? Do you wish that certain employees would turn in a better work product, have a better attitude with clients and coworkers, or just plain be better?
The problem may actually be with you.
It could be that the employee has not been sufficiently trained. Training should always be a priority, whether the employee has been with the company for a day or a decade. Performance issues can sometimes be linked back to the company for failure to adequately train the employee.
As a starting point, train new hires on company practices and procedures. While most companies are diligent about finding qualified candidates during the hiring process, it is not enough to simply hire the best, provide him or her with a desk, and expect instant greatness. New employees need to be familiarized with the company’s culture and day to day habits, as well as know exactly what is expected in the position, how success is measured, and how to make it happen.
As the employee progresses in his or her career, encourage ongoing training to enrich knowledge. Encourage growth through online training, professional associations and memberships, and conferences. As the company continues its growth as well, be sure to thoroughly train employees on new software and emerging technology in their fields.
Cross-train for other positions within the company. It’s easy to get so focused on one’s own duties to the exclusion of all else, but cross-training is beneficial to both the employee and the company. It helps the employee become more aware of his or her place in the bigger picture, gives a clarified understanding of where the company as a whole is going and provides added skills.
Don’t forget about the skills beyond the position itself. At Nextep, for example, we constantly strive to enrich our professional relationships with clients and each other through regular service-based training.
The ever-changing employment regulations also mean that it’s important to train employees and leaders on the latest rules. At a minimum, employees should be trained to identify and prevent harassment, discrimination. Additional recommended topics include ethics, workplace violence prevention, and safety.
Managers especially have a responsibility to know and apply the laws that govern employment; ignorance of a law isn’t accepted as an excuse in court. Managers should have at least workable knowledge of laws such as FMLA, ADA, rights under NLRA, and how to apply the company’s drug-free workplace policy.
For assistance in developing a training program for your company, please contact Nextep’s HR team.
Need more info on training?
Nextep’s online training library has thousands of courses for managers and employees. Contact our HR team to craft your own!
