4 ways to deal with employees’ personal problems in the workplace

Listen

I’ve often talked about the importance of listening and communication and for good reason. If an employee is dealing with a personal problem, let them give you at least a brief synopsis of what’s going on. You don’t have to get every detail, but by being in the know, you can now assess the situation for yourself and figure out what the best course of action for that employee will be.

Keep it professional

Obviously, you want to be supportive when an employee is dealing with a tough personal issue. But, the last thing you want to do is be so supportive that it makes it difficult for you to be the boss. You have to draw a line in the sand for yourself and not become more of a friend than a manager.

Let them deal with it

It’s always tough when your team is down an employee, but the sooner they handle the issue, the better. If they need a few days off to get things together, figure out how your team can cover for the employee, decide how many days off you can give the employee, and give them space until that day.

See how they’re doing

Give them the freedom to handle the issues, but also let them know you’re thinking about them. The employee will probably feel a little guilty for being gone during this time, but by checking on them, they’ll also feel supported which will let them worry less about work and allow them to focus on the issue at hand. A text or short email will go a long way.