Blog

Frontline Supervisor: Skills for New Supervisors

Q. I want to make a good impression on my employees now that I am their new supervisor. What will employees focus on most as they “size me up” over the next several months?

Frontline Supervisor: Common Management Mistakes

Q. What’s the most common mistake supervisors make when confronting troubled employees?

Frontline Supervisor: How Family Violence Affects the Workplace

Q. I always thought that family violence was almost exclusively a behind-closed-doors phenomenon and that the workplace was simply not in the picture. Is family violence something employers really need to be concerned with as a business matter?

Frontline Supervisor: Substance Abuse in the Workplace

Q. Periodically, we have employees incur back injuries on the job. Some get pain medications, which I know can be addicting. Although I haven’t noticed any employees affected by drug dependency, what are the symptoms? 

Frontline Supervisor: Internet Use at Work

Q. What is Internet addiction and how can I spot whether Internet addiction is affecting productivity? How would you hold an employee accountable if you can’t “diagnose” the worker? It seems like a catch-22 to me.


Frontline Supervisor: Socializing With Employees

Q. I have an employee who does not participate in any after-hours activities that the other employees attend. She’s a great performer, but I tend to think more highly of employees who join in the fun. Should I inquire about why she does not join in? Maybe there’s a personal problem.

Frontline Supervisor: Addressing Employee Resistance

Q. I referred my employee to BJC EAP for performance issues, but was asked, “What will they do or say to me?” I know BJC EAP helps employees, but I couldn’t be specific. I think the employee is worried about sharing too much.

Frontline Supervisor: Alcohol and Your Employees

Q. My fellow managers and I have been educated in the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse on the job, but isn’t the most important part of training learning to avoid being manipulated and dispelling misconceptions about alcoholism? 

Frontline Supervisor: Diversity in the Workplace
Q. 
We have a very diverse workplace, and I sometimes correct employees when I see them demonstrating poor tolerance of coworkers’ differences. I am not an expert on tolerance and bias, so can you offer some language, tips or “phrases” helpful in educating employees?
Frontline Supervisor: Violence in the Workplace

Q. An employee complained of being punched in the arm by a coworker. The “puncher” said it was “in jest,” and that no violent intent was meant. My own kids do this sort of thing. There is a bruise, but some people bruise easily. Is this a matter for BJC EAP? Or should I dismiss this?


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