tried my best to help direct report improvement to no avail

[greenyblueyes]

Hi all.

Not really sure what I am asking but I am feeling really angry and frustrated because I have done my absolute to help my direct report improve in some really crucial areas.

This includes a very structured month long plan with SMART actions (not a formal PIP through HR as I wanted to give her a chance following several months' management gap), encouraging her to find a mentor, loads of training, 1-1s, practical advice on processes and systems, listening to her issues and encouragement.

I have even referred her to OH to check for any underlying issues as her written work is so poor.

None of it has had any measurable effect. she is still making countless sloppy mistakes, simply not doing some tasks, and showing an appalling attitude when faced with any constructive criticism or any errors are raised. Even for a small detail today that she got wrong (it needed to be pointed out but was done so in a fair, proportionate way) there was blame shifting, a preposterous denial, excuses, all in an aggressive tone, which escalated a small request to a full email bollocking from me.

She makes up information as she goes along and will tell you whatever she thinks you might want to hear so you can never trust her to do anything she says she will do, even with clear instructions, or that any information she gives you isn't complete tosh.

Her contract ends in 2.5 months. It will not be renewed. my bosses are happy to see her go, I just feel I have really failed as a manager by her not improving as I pride myself on helping staff to develop.

How do I get through these next couple of months knowing she will not be kept on and is there anything last ditch I can try?

The problem is that if is impossible to get through to her. anything positive is taken as friendly encouragement and a firmer stance is met with defensiveness. she is unable to explain why she gets defensive.

She sounds like a nightmare.

If she is that bad, bin her now. Save that 2.5 months wages for something else!

just writing all that down actually allowed me.to sleep, she had wound me up so much yesterday!

Thanks Farting but we're Civil Service. That would be a lot easier said than done and I feel in my waters that she would raise a grievance against me if I don't just let this play out.

Plus with the Covid response she is at least keeping some normal work ticking over, even if to a crap standard.

To be honest I would just minimise the damage she can do in the time she has left, and make damn sure that no one is going to get any ideas about extending her contract just to keep a bum on a seat during covid.

I wouldn't bother trying to address her performance any more. And don't get so invested in other people's outcomes - people will only develop/improve if they want to.

I have a poor performer in my team (also civil service) and have done the same as you to no avail. If I knew they were definitely leaving in 2.5 months I'd be doing happy skippy dances every single day! 🥳

Thanks Hedgefund you're right, I need to take this as less of a personal failure. I think I have done all I can with the most genuine intentions to help her.

and absolutely. luckily, I think my bosses are clear that whilst it has been useful on balance at least having another pair of hands during Covid, the job as a whole is simply beyond her range of capability and understanding. it's no longer a matter of maybe needing more training or support. Therefore she has to go before two years sneaks up and she has employment rights.

Oh god, good luck with yours. Are they permanent?

You are viewing this as your failure, it is not. It's your role as a manager to support as you did and assess whether the issue is skill/will/other. From what you have said she is not capable of the role.

My hint going forward is to use a PIP rather than what you did. As she's not capable & has a bad attitude you would be closer to her termination.

Yes mine is permanent. Totally incapable of doing the job they were hired for and also totally incapable of performing at the grade, so couldn’t even pass them on to a more suitable role. Also doesn’t help that they are convinced they are going to suddenly “get it” and outperform the rest of us - total lack of self awareness! At least I’m getting experience of using the poor performance procedures 🙄

sounds so infuriating. There is no way to get through the lack of self awareness and make them understand what the issues are.

mine has a lot of bravado too and will never accept any criticism without arguing the toss. Not to say she can't have a right to reply but I wonder what is the point for her?!

ha yes, definitely useful experience though.