: Management Tips for Dealing with Counter Productive Behaviors

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Part of management is minimizing the counterproductive behaviors of staff. You want to do so in a way that will keep your staff happy, productive and efficient to the extent possible.
Make the rules of the office very clear
Some workers partake in counterproductive behaviors simply because they do not know that they are not allowed. For instance, a worker may utilize the Internet if you have not specifically said that one cannot use the Web for personal use during work time. You want the rules against these counterproductive behaviors to be very clear so that people understand them. They should be included in the handbook that an employee receives upon entering the company. You may want to post them in a break room or other common area. You can also send out e-mails or flyers. You can discuss them at company meetings as well. You also may want to lay out consequences for ignoring the behavior. Do it according to the level of breach and the amount of times they have broken the rules such as first a warning, second a written reprimand, etc.
Talk to those partaking in counterproductive behaviors
Sometimes it is a particular person in the office who is being counterproductive. Perhaps they are chatting too much with others. Perhaps it is something that would be impossible to put into a rule book such as that they are doing their work in a way that is taking too long. Try not to just go and accuse the employee because he or she might get defensive and you may lose an otherwise good employee. Instead discuss the issue with them and see if you can come up with a solution to remedy it. If someone continues to break the rules with their counterproductive behaviors then you can take further action.
Let the staff make suggestions when they see counterproductive behaviors
Sometimes the management is not always aware of counterproductive behaviors. For instance, perhaps you have one person interrupting the next in every meeting they have. The management may not know about it, and it may be making the meetings longer and less efficient. Allow the workers to make suggestions or bring up areas where counterproductive behaviors are stifling work. They may even occur in management. You could have an anonymous drop box where people can leave suggestions.
Counterproductive behaviors can affect business greatly. Management can address these with the above tips.