Dear Dr. Mimi: Impatient

Dear Dr. Mimi:
We have a new person, and she is slow. She knows what she is doing. She doesn’t make mistakes, but she is so slow. How can I get her to speed up, or do I need to let her continue at her own pace?
—Impatient

Dear Impatient:
When everyone is working to capacity, a slow co-worker can be demotivating, So yes, you need to address it. First, you need to determine why your employee is slow. So ask her! If she gives you a reason, and you can repair it, do what you can to make it work. Tell her that her work is excellent and that she simply needs to pick up the pace. Give her clear deadlines and let her know how much is expected from her by that time.
It is important that she knows the expectations and that you hold her accountable.
—Dr. Mimi

Written By

drmimi

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Backup

    Dear Dr. Mimi,My boss favors another employee and schedules them for more shifts. We are on the same skill level and have had the same training, but I am being treated like a “backup” for them. I am afraid to bring this up to my manager for fear that they will reprimand or even fire…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Overworked Student

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I am a working college student, and my company is supposed to be accommodating to students’ schedules. However, my boss keeps asking me to come into work at times she knows that I have classes or study groups. I have tried to make this issue known to her, but she keeps dismissing me.…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi — Frustrated

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I trained a new employee about a month ago, but they still don’t seem to be getting it. They mess up almost every task I give them. What can I do to fix this? Should I just fire them?—Frustrated Dear Frustrated,It can be tricky working with new employees. If you think they are…