Bosses assume the last thing they need is a slacker. Anybody who is going to do the bare minimum is a liability. You need the people that are going to be productive from the morning until the evening for the good of the company. Sure, they might work hard for ulterior motives, yet it doesn’t matter as long as they are on point. Slackers, on the other hand, are a waste of money and need purging ASAP.
There is no doubt an “I’ll-do-the-least-possible” culture is potentially fatal and that slackers need to be shown the door. Before they leave though, don’t forget to consider the following.
Cream Rises
The best employees want a mix of a healthy living wage and a balance between life and work. The rest only want to get by without doing anything too strenuous and taking on zero responsibility. Although it’s a reflection on the person, it also says a lot about the firm. The fact you’re left with slackers to the left and right of you suggests the recruitment process has holes. It also implies the perks of the job aren’t as strong as the competition’s. If rivals continue to poach your best workers, you might need to offer them a sweetener to keep them happy.
No Commitment = Poor Work Ethic
Businesses create lazy employees by not making the work interesting enough. Because it’s boring and monotonous, they don’t have the drive to come into the office and invest in the material. Companies, therefore, can change a slacker’s approach by giving them something they relate to and asking them to head the project. Computer Support for businesses should be able to pinpoint the projects which got their creative juices flowing if you’re unsure. Another option is to ask them for their opinion on the products and services. Offering items that they believe in will encourage them to graft.
Laziness Isn’t Incompetence
It’s tempting to see their lack of drive or passion as a hole in their skill set. The reality is lots of clever and intelligent workers are not the hardest workers. The reason usually stems from the fact that they can coast without having to do too much. Although it’s annoying, it’s also an opportunity. Because of their attitude, they often find the quickest and most efficient solution to a problem. So, if the entire office is stumped, ask them for their opinion, especially if there are lots of possibilities.
Rewards Never Fail
What a slacker needs is something to motivate them other than money. For them, a Friday afternoon off is enough to make them churn out work from Monday to Thursday. Because it’s immediate, it’s as appealing as a pay rise or the offer of a financially-based reward. What you’ll find is that an incentive often encourages everybody, grafter or not, to up their game because they want a prize too. Usually, the business as a whole benefits from engaging one or two people.
Slackers aren’t always the ideal role model, but they aren’t a lost cause either. Keep in mind that a different approach to the job doesn’t make it wrong, and there can always be something learned from someone else’s work style.
