Disciplinary for stressed member of staff

[girlcrushonvillanelle]

I have a member of staff who struggles with anxiety and stress. Before Covid she was generally fine, However this past 12 months have meant that her quality of work has taken a big nose dive.

The type of work we do needs full focus and attention, but she now struggles this this a lot and so is making numerous mistakes.

These mistakes are close to costing us our business.

I am planning to give a last warning before disciplinary action commences.

Does anyone know of any mental health support or mindfulness training that is any good so that I can offer her support?

which does not form part of her formal diagnosis and treatment

Of which she doesn't have either of. The OP isn't really in a place to recommend she sees her GP, that's not within the scope of a manager and pretty inappropriate, but she is in scope to follow a reasonable and fair process which outlines the expectations and next steps if she cannot address her performance, through whatever steps the employee themselves sees neccessary.

@daisychain01

she does not suffer with depression or other mental health issues

You've described her as suffering from anxiety. You do realise anxiety is a form of depression. You are not qualified to say that she has or has not got "other mental health issues".

Does anyone know of any mental health support or mindfulness training that is any good so that I can offer her support?

I appreciate you are a small business, but it's completely inappropriate to ask strangers on the internet for advice about random Mental Health training for your employee which does not form part of her formal diagnosis and treatment. It would be better to support her with specific training to do the tasks you're expecting her to do and find out if there are aspects of the tasks she needs help with. Leave the other stuff to trained professionals.

I don't agree about asking for advice on the Employment issues board - the OP asked and you have given her some great advice! People who run small business have a lot to learn, it's not easy to get advice.

Are we witnessing a failed name change (25/01/2021 22:13) and a reverse?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/a4135324-performance-management-making-me-worse?msgid=103623920#103623920

[quote VodselForDinner]Are we witnessing a failed name change (25/01/2021 22:13) and a reverse?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/a4135324-performance-management-making-me-worse?msgid=103623920#103623920[/quote]
Interesting!

@GoodGirlsRUs

I've probably made her anxiety issues sound worse than they are. She is a perfectly well functioning person but is worried about Covid etc which means she finds it hard to concentrate on her work and has made many mistakes.

This is coming from someone who has has had counselling for anxiety and panic attacks in the past and has suffered with them for years but have coping mechanisms.

Her issues are low level (without meaning to dismiss them).

You are dismissing them though. You're not her doctor. You can't speculate if her anxiety issues are low level or not.

Why are you posting as both the employer and the employee?? Really dodgy tbh!

OP is this a reverse?

I don't agree about asking for advice on the Employment issues board - the OP asked and you have given her some great advice! People who run small business have a lot to learn, it's not easy to get advice.

Yes, I feel uncomfortable when 'employers' (if indeed the OP is one, and it isn't a reverse) come on here, because they're exposing confidential facts about their employees, which to me is a breach of trust. And in this case, minimising or misconstruing, their employee's MH challenges. Not good practice.

As a qualified MH First Aider, the facts on this thread fill me with horror, and go against all advice we were given during our training about amateur diagnoses, and making assumptions with no qualifications!

@Backbee

which does not form part of her formal diagnosis and treatment

Of which she doesn't have either of. The OP isn't really in a place to recommend she sees her GP, that's not within the scope of a manager and pretty inappropriate, but she is in scope to follow a reasonable and fair process which outlines the expectations and next steps if she cannot address her performance, through whatever steps the employee themselves sees neccessary.

Why wouldn't a responsible manager suggest to an employee who they could see was suffering from anxiety "would it be worth you seeking advice from your GP". Had the employer been a bigger organisation, they would take the step of agreeing with the employee to have a consultation with Occ Health. Who would then suggest the employee may need to seek advice from their GP...

That's a far more responsible and constructive thing to do than come on here asking people who don't even know the employee what training they can suggest, when they could be giving completely the wrong information.

It's appropriate from OCC health who take an impartial stance, for someone struggling with anxiety it's not appropriate for a manager to say that imo. And there are organisations and resources online for small businesses (and others) to use, so doesn't sound that outrageous.

The other thread is the reverse. I am genuinely trying to find a solution.

I am the employer.

I am here for advice. I have other avenues for advice that I am working with.

I'm looking for best outcome for them, me and my business that's all.

Shit, another name change fail!

Fair enough, @Hastingsishot thanks for clarifying.

Please get her to consult with a healthcare profession.

Meanwhile provide her clear structured guidance on the tasks and duties she isn't coping with. Ask her to give you feedback if the training is helping or if there are any gaps in her understanding, so you can help.

This may seem labour-intensive but if you abandon her without support and then hit her with a disciplinary for capability, you'll be creating a lot of issues for both her and you.

Thanks. We have met and talked about her performances. She admits she hasn't put the effort in to do the job properly.

I have offered training and support so will see how things go.

She has been offered and given support in the past but there has been no improvement.

We'll see if things get better. I now have a good HE advisor working with me.

The reverse was to try and get some ideas from the other view.