How to Handle an Employee Who Constantly Seeks Attention with New Work Issues?

If an employee repeatedly seeks attention by creating new issues at work, such as constantly complaining about work pressure, how should this be addressed?

Hi, call the employee for a discussion. Find out his actual issues. Ascertain whether he is overloaded with work or if it is just a myth. Also, find out whether the employee possesses the right skills and prior experience to carry out his day-to-day tasks. In case of any lacking, identify the training needs and plan for training. Before calling the employee for a discussion, please discuss with the immediate superior of the employee and gather his inputs. At times, employees might have genuine issues, and if not addressed promptly, they might leave the organization out of frustration.

On the same note, if you observe that the employee is raising issues to gain attention, then he needs to be counseled. Help him understand that he is paid for his work and should love his profession. Any work carried out with involvement will lead to the right results.

Dear Navjot Thakur,

There is a mismatch between the heading of your post and the main body. Secondly, I wish you had provided information about the nature of your industry, the department in which the employee works, the length of service of the employee, etc.

"Mood swing" is a mental health issue and requires treatment from a certified psychiatrist. On the contrary, complaints about the quantum of work, the tendency to jump into light, etc., are behavioral issues and counseling may be sufficient.

Why does an employee feel that the quantum of work is excessive? What is the take of the reporting manager on the complaint of the subordinate? Is the quantum of work the same for other employees also?

Are you comparing the work done by the employee's predecessor? Occasionally, such comparisons don't work as there is a basic difference between human beings, and work done by all may not be identical. Some leeway for variation has to be given, but the leeway may not be major.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar