Can you provide an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult employee performance issue, and how did you approach and resolve it?

Answer:

During my tenure as a Branch Manager, I encountered a challenging employee performance issue that required a delicate approach to resolve effectively. The situation involved an employee who consistently failed to meet sales targets despite being provided with training and support.

To address this issue, I initiated a one-on-one meeting with the employee to discuss their performance concerns in a private setting. It was essential to create a safe and supportive environment for the employee to openly express their challenges and issues that were hindering their performance.

During the meeting, I actively listened to the employee's perspective and identified the root causes of their performance issues. Together, we developed a performance improvement plan that included setting clear and achievable goals, providing additional training resources, and offering ongoing support and guidance.

Throughout the implementation of the performance improvement plan, I regularly checked in with the employee to monitor their progress, provide feedback, and offer encouragement. By maintaining open communication and a collaborative approach, the employee was able to make significant improvements in their performance and eventually met their sales targets.

This experience taught me the importance of addressing employee performance issues with empathy, transparency, and constructive feedback. By actively engaging with the employee and developing a personalized solution, I was able to resolve the situation positively and enhance team morale and productivity within the branch.