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Disgruntled Employees

- Warning Signs

& Protection Strategies

Special Report From: EasySmallBusinessHR.com

The actions of angry employees are more than just news stories.

From stealing sensitive information and compromising data to

vandalizing the workplace and, at worst, committing violent acts,

having angry employees are a reality that small business owners

face every day.

One way to protect your business from the actions of disgruntled

workers is to know the signs that could indicate potential trouble.

The 6 Signs of Dissatisfied Employees

1. Chronic absenteeism

2. Raising the voice frequently

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3. Depression

4. Unusual impatience

5. Increased irritability

6. Memory or concentration problems

Identifying the signs of unhappy employees is just one part of a

strategy to protect yourself, your staff, and your customers.

Of course you want to protect the staff and others from potential

physical harm, but having a strategy for dealing with dissatisfied

employees will also help boost staff morale, eliminating one of the

reasons for employee turnover. Here’s how to get started:

Don't ignore unusual or inappropriate behavior by an employee.

Take action by speaking with your employee to learn what might

be troubling him or her. If you don't feel comfortable meeting with

the employee alone, have another manager in the room with you or

ask security to be nearby; in another office perhaps if it helps you

to feel more comfortable.

When meeting with the staff member, be empathetic when

listening to your employee's concerns, but also be firm and clear

that certain behaviors will not be tolerated in the workplace.

In very extreme cases where an employee is clearly violent or

threatening, don't second guess and put your safety or the safety of

others at risk. Contact security or the police if appropriate.

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Other best practices in support of a secure workplace include:

Reviewing the physical integrity of the workplace.

Ensure doors, windows, and other entry/exit points are secured

and the locks work.

Encourage employees to report broken locks on doors and

windows.

Check that entry/exit points cannot be easily propped open or

otherwise tampered with.

Adopt security measures that guarantee the personal safety of

all staff inside and outside the premises.

Provide necessary safeguards for valuable objects, belongings,

and information.

Make sure the workplace has adequate lighting inside and

outside.

Ensure that common trouble spots, such as reception areas,

restrooms, garages, and elevators, are secure.

Protect sensitive and confidential information to prevent

security breaches from unhappy employees inside or outside

the workplace.

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Adopt a formal document destruction policy.

Reduce your workplace’s vulnerability to disruption and violence

by formalizing a comprehensive violence prevention program.

Your policy for dealing with angry employees should include:

Taking steps to ensure your company’s violence policy is

supported by the entire organization, from the interns to the C-

suite. In addition, include the policy in your company’s employee

handbook.

Don’t wait until an angry employee disrupts your business or

harms a colleague.

Know the signs of dissatisfied employees and have the strategies in

place to ensure the physical integrity of your workplace and the

security of your employees. You owe it to yourself and to your

staff.

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