Senior Employees Struggling with Teamwork: How Should I Address Their Behavior?

Dear All,

This is Pooja Rajpal, working as an HR Manager with an organization. There are two or three employees who have been working with us for the last 3-4 years. They hold senior positions but seem unwilling to handle the team or work collaboratively. This behavior is affecting their coworkers and juniors. They also display jealousy towards newcomers.

In this situation, I am unsure whether to terminate these senior employees. Doing so may have a negative impact on others. I am truly perplexed about what steps to take. How should I address this matter? Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Pooja Rajpal

Do you have PMS systems in place? If they are consistently not performing as per appraisal systems, you can proceed with further action by initiating a show-cause notice issuance for explanation.

Regards,
Pon

You have given the background of the situation you are facing but haven't mentioned anything about what the Management's take on this issue is. Since the concerned individuals are senior-level persons, the Directors' views will be very important in the options available to you. Is the management aware of this situation and its impact at all?

It might also help to give a better perspective to the members who want to suggest solutions if you provide the domain/sector details in which your company operates - manufacturing, IT, etc.

Regards,
TS

I truly understand your concern. As an HR Manager, we need to deal with these problems tactfully. All I suggest you do is sit down with them individually and have their inputs on the following:

1. Their "Key Focus / Result Areas".
2. Reasons for not handling a team / being a part of it.
- Whether they intend to shed their responsibility off?
- Do they lack "Team handling" skills?
3. Are they looking for a "Profile transfer" or any other alternative?
4. Are they really uncomfortable working with their juniors? Why?

Try to gather as much input as possible, and I am sure you will come up with a desired solution.

Cheers!
Abhishek