It’s certainly a decision you need to make. But, keep in mind, sometimes it’s not worth firing an underperformer. In fact, according to the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), it costs an average of two and half times an employee’s salary to replace them. For someone in a specialized field, it can be up to four times their salary. That’s what makes firing so expensive.

With that said, if you’d like to give your employee a second chance, there are some steps you can take to improve their odds of getting back on track. For instance:

Talk to your employee.

Most managers don’t like having awkward discussions with their employees, especially about poor performance. But if you want them to improve, it’s an absolute must-take first step in the process.

Make goals and expectations clear.

Too many times, an employee’s poor performance is, at least in part, due to a manager not defining goals and expectations. But if an employee doesn’t know what you expect from them, how can they deliver? The simple answer is: They can’t. And to anticipate them to isn’t fair to your employee. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your goals and expectations for all of your team members are crystal clear.

Provide support.

What support does the employee need to improve? Training seminars? Coaching and mentoring? Online courses? Whatever it is, make sure they gain access to the right resources to boost their performance.

Monitor progress and hold your employee accountable.

It’s important that you regularly check in with your employee to monitor their progress and make sure they are improving. If not, then it’s your job to hold them accountable.

That being said, sometimes it’s not worth giving an employee a second chance. In some cases, a person who was the right fit three years ago isn’t so today. It’s up to you to evaluate the situation and make the best decision.

Do you need help adding high performance employees to your team? Call Murray Resources. As one of the leading staffing services firms in Houston, TX, we can assist you with the entire search process – from sourcing and screening to hiring and retaining top talent. Contact us today to get started.