Warning Signs at Work

All employees, at some time, display job performance problems. An isolated incident of coming to work late need not be a cause for alarm. However, when an employee displays a pattern of repeated job performance decline, the supervisor needs to take notice and possible corrective action. Using the checklist below can help determine if there are job performance problems.

Decline in Job Efficiency Decrease in overall work quality Inconsistent work quality Errors in judgment Periods of confusion Lack of concentration Unrealistic excuses for lowered work quality Missed deadlines Increased carelessness/mistakes Excessive time completing tasks Difficulty handling complex tasks Loss of memory Inconsistent Work Patterns Alternate periods of high and low efficiency Becoming or has become less dependable Substandard work compared to peers Frequent requests for help with assignments Absenteeism Repeated absenteeism (above average) Pattern of absenteeism around scheduled days off Excessive tardiness (Monday and Friday) or after days off Leaving work early Repeated absenteeism due to vaguely defined illnesses Improbable reasons for absenteeism Unauthorized leave Last minute request for leave Excessive use of sick leave On-the-Job Absenteeism Extended lunch breaks Physical illnesses developed on the job Unexplained disappearances on the job Excessive breaks, trips to bathroom Vacant look on the job Attitude/Mood Dramatic mood shifts Tendency to isolate Irritability Secretive/suspicious Crying Inflexible

Physical/Emotional Problems Change in physical/emotional condition during shift Marked nervousness on the job Excessive sweating Tremors of hands Lack of attention to personal cleanliness or grooming Reports to duty despite contraindication Impaired Interpersonal Relationships Frequent arguments with co-workers Excessive blaming of others Unwilling to cooperate or compromise with co-workers  Over-reactions to co-workers Wide swings in mood from isolation to angry outbursts Avoids contact with supervisor Complaints of irritability, physical roughness, verbal abuse Other Areas Excessive time spent making personal telephone calls Physically threatening Excessive talkativeness Grandiosity, exaggerated self-importance Specific for Nurses and Pharmacists Difficulty concentrating Assignment takes more time despite skill/experience Difficulty prioritizing Medication errors Omitted, illogical, incomplete, or illegible charting Deteriorating handwriting or performace during shift  Errors in transcribing orders or taking verbal orders Overlooking signs of a patient's deteriorating condition Medication-Centered Problems Increased use of prn medications recorded Increase in wastage or breakage of psychoactive drugs Missing drugs or unaccounted doses Seeks out on-duty physicians for complaints of pain

If you are not sure how to respond to someone who demonstrates a pattern of workplace problems, we are here to help. Contact us at (metro Denver) 303-369-0039 or (toll-free) 866-369-0039.