Edition 494 – Rallying The Troops
A disruptive staff member leaves a family business, and continues to lob grenades, not only on their way out the door, but from afar afterwards. Inside a business of 40 staff, the act of war, can be both distracting, and destructive.
As the attack continues, the ownership and management team are at sixes and sevens as to what to do? The downside of modern technology is that there’s a WhatsApp group of employees, that acts as a back channel of communications. It’s possible there’s a lot of commentary happening behind the scenes, that involves denigrating the reputation of the employer, and deliberately spreading mistruths.
You see, old mate was punted as a result of unconscionable conduct towards a fellow employee. They broke the rules, in front of a bunch of co-workers by the way, and now want to argue the toss. The upside of modern technology is that video cameras inside the business, caught it all, even though the now ex-employee begs to differ as to the interpretation of the event.
When reinstatement doesn’t happen, a lawyer is engaged and an unfair dismissal complaint is lodged with Fair Work Australia. It turns out, the lawyer is on one of those “no win no fee” deals – something that, surely, needs to be revisited in the future, for is it justice that is being pursued, or money?
Verbal claims are made against the employer, including about alleged underpayments of wages. Whilst this is happening, there’s a barrage of communication from the former employee to current employees, continuing to spread false accusations and other unfounded rumours. The individual goes further, and contacts clients directly, alleging financial impropriety. We’re now into full blown warfare.
Thanks to a lot, including some very pedantic record keeping and administration skills of the management team, it’s found there has been no underpayment of wages. The dismissal was fair. And, as it turns out, the case from the ex-employee was so weak, that the “no win no fee” legal representative could see there was going to be no fee for them, so they bailed on the engagement.
When you’re under attack. When your reputation is on the line. When individuals whose sole purpose appears to be to engage in nothing short of a vendetta against their former employer, the only thing you can do, as that employer, is to rally the troops, Bring them all in. Sit them down. Talk to them. Not about the specifics of the battle you’re currently fighting, but about what’s coming up in the business.
When you rally the troops, you change the narrative. You go from defence to attack. The difference is, the attack involves looking forward, and articulating the opportunities for training, development and advancement in the business. It doesn’t involve continually looking over your shoulder, to see where the next missile is coming from.
The thing is, you should be engaging on a regular basis with your team as it is. Be it monthly, or quarterly, bring them in, sit them down, undertake some training, and let them in on what’s happening in the business. New clients won. Potential investment in new plant and equipment. Where you see the industry heading. What the next few months in the business are looking like.
When you take back control, you show leadership. When you show leadership, your team has something to follow. When they have something to follow, they’re less likely to take notice of someone on the outside, who is trying to disrupt proceedings. They’ll look to the positive that you’re showing, and not the negative, that has no basis of truth attached to it.
This Week’s Tip
“Sadly, for most family businesses, bringing the team together only seems to happen
either at Christmas time, or whenever there’s bad news.
If you engage with them regularly, you’re giving them a reason to stay.
If you don’t, you’re not.”