If HR leaders want more effective and psychologically safe performance processes, getting rid of the word "review" is a good place to start, an advisor says.
Performance conversations that weren't as "overt" as they could have been contributed to an employee's confusion regarding the reasons for her dismissal, but her employer's decision wasn't unlawful, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.
Implementing a support plan, holding frequent meetings and providing performance feedback from multiple people were all reasonable actions, a commission has ruled in a dispute over liability for an employee's psychological injury.
"Micro coaching moments" are among the ways progressive HR functions are combatting managers' fear of giving performance feedback, according to an experienced consultant.
"Anomalies" in an employer's management of performance and conduct issues meant the process lacked clarity and resulted in a dismissal that was valid, but harsh, the Fair Work Commission has found.
A performance improvement plan gave an employee "ample" opportunity to demonstrate better workplace communication, but she "missed it by a mile", a commission has ruled in upholding her dismissal.
It's natural for managers to have "some confusion and fear" about delivering performance feedback, and employers have more work to do in reframing workplace views about psychological safety, a specialist advisor says.
A disclosure of mental health issues shouldn't necessarily stop a manager from holding an underperforming employee to account, but the approach they take might need to change, a conflict specialist says.
Rude and unprofessional behaviour towards customers, which persisted despite warnings and performance coaching, provided a valid reason for an employee's dismissal, the Fair Work Commission has found.
"Aggressive and deprecating" comments from a supervisor couldn't be considered reasonable management actions, a commission has noted in finding an employer liable for a psychological injury.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.
