Difficult person to manage

[Plimsongrey]

I'm line managing a very difficult person at work. They are not performing and have behaved inappropriately and have now been put on a plan that may see them managed out of the company (on the advice of employment lawyers).

This wasn't my hiring decision and I'm finding the whole situation quite stressful. Dwelling on what to say/ how to say it and treading on egg shells so I dont give them motive to sue. I am being supported by HR and they attend some meetings and obviously everything is written down.

I really want this to be over if its inevitably heading to a dismissal but it could be a while yet as we need to give a chance to improve etc. I've tried to be supportive as well obviously but that approach doesn't seem to work and they're becoming quite rude and agressive.

Have such feelings of dread when I think about it, anyone have any advice?

Why aren't they performing? What's the problem? Can they explain what's going on? Are they out of their depth? Did they lie on their CV? Have you not inducted or trained them when you said you would?

IME there are two sides to every story. I've seen managers complaining about staff and I've also heard employees saying that they haven't been trained or they are overloaded with work but no one is listening.

@Plimsongrey your feelings are perfectly normal in this type of situation. It takes a toll but you have HR support. If your organisation has an EAP they often have support/counselling for managers in this situation.

I've been there. It is tough, but it does eventually end. Hang in there - you will feel amazing when they finally go!

If they have behaved inappropriately, why not dismiss on grounds if misconduct? It does seem that your decision is made and instead of supporting them to succeed you are looking for ways to support the termination of contract.

Can't go into details but the behaviour wouldn't come under gross misconduct. It does feel a bit like a lost cause and I feel like some of my superiors have already written them off and want them out but we have to still go through the motions.

Thanks @bluejelly @Foreversearch

im trying not to take things personally or bring it home but I just hate the atmosphere the situation creates in the office and I feel so bad even though I agree that things with this employee arent working out.

Blooming nightmare. It can take months and the whole time you're dreading work and treading on eggshells. For me it was simply a case of always having someone else present as a witness and being absolutely on it for the paper trail. As it happens I've been there more than once and someone I thought was 99% lost cause turned it around so it does happen. Some people are just bastards though who are absolutely out to play the system and your mental health and reputation is just collateral damage to them. If it gets really awful get a therapist.