Recession forces attitude check for grumpy workers

Tackling workplace grumblers could be a key to surviving the recession, according to a local human resources firm.

Jaluch, which has offices in London, Reading and Ringwood, is increasingly hearing from employers who claim office pessimists are a drain on productivity and are sapping the energy of other staff.

Moaners, nitpickers, overly argumentative staff and generally miserable workers are being urged to take an attitude check before bosses take more formal action.

Helen Clarke, Managing Director of Jaluch, said: ìEmployers find staff with bad attitudes difficult to address and many have let problem characters fester for too long, but the recession has forced companies to take a hard look at ways of driving up productivity and retaining good staff and weíre increasingly being approached for advice on tackling negativity.î

Jaluch is advising companies to identify which individuals are a negative force, how their negativity is manifested and the impact it has on other employees. They recommend employers raise their concerns and highlight supporting evidence at a fairly formal meeting, with a follow-up letter giving clear objectives and timescales for change. Staff who fail to improve in time could be disciplined for ëpoor attitudeí.

Helen added: ìSelf-help books and one-to-one coaching can be effective in reversing negativity and psychometric profiling can help start the process. Communication skills training could also help those whose poor attitude stems from problems with expressing themselves.î

Jaluch also has tips for employees struggling to stay positive at work – they include eating healthily and exercising, associating with positive people and using a screensaver as a reminder to adopt a positive attitude.

ìDoing nothing about negative staff is not an optionî, Helen said, ìitís a competitive market and making the workplace a happy place to be is the most cost effective way to motivate staff and convince them to stay.î