Invest Manage & Grow

Managing Employees

Without employees, most businesses don’t exist.  Therefore, it is very important to learn how to manage your employees so they are both productive and happy.  Knowing what to do with regards to hiring, motivating, directing, reprimanding and even firing an employee will help you achieve both of these goals.

Effective Job Descriptions
Job descriptions are as important for the employer as they are for the employee.  As the employer, you understand all aspects of your business and need to make sure all roles and responsibilities are covered. An employee needs to understand what is expected of him or her, and what skill set is required to get the job done.

Before starting your business, make a list of all of the areas of responsibility and create corresponding roles to cover them off.  In some small businesses, one employee may take on several roles.  Make sure when hiring employees, they know exactly what is expected of them.  This can be done by writing responsibilities down on paper, and including the overall purpose of the job.  Make it clear the job description may change as the business changes. Flexibility is important for business success.

Setting Goals
Involve your employees in setting goals for your business.  If they’re involved, they’ll be more engaged in reaching the goals.  It can also help to tie incentives to the goal setting process.  If the business is more profitable because your employees help you reach your goals, everyone should share in the success.

Effective Communication
Employees need to know what’s happening with your business.  If you’re planning to move in a new strategic direction, or if sales happen to be lower than expected, be honest with your employees.  They may have some great suggestions to turn things around, be motivated to work a little harder, or have some insight that will be important to your next move. In small businesses, many employees feel like they’re part of a family and if they’re treated as though their opinion matters, they’ll be more invested in the outcome and more thoughtful in their actions. 

Motivating Employees
Treating people with respect is the most important way of motivating employees.  If they believe they’re a vital part of the business, and are valued for their contribution, they’ll be more likely to perform at a higher level.  Some people are motivated by financial incentives, but most people want to feel like their making a valued contribution and are challenged in the work they do.  Recognize the strengths of your employees and make sure they’re always able to work to their full potential.

Dealing with Problems
Problems with employees will arise from time to time, and it is important they’re dealt with immediately.  By dealing with problems immediately, other employees will respect you for addressing the situation, and you’ll be able to move on to other important issues in your business. If you don’t deal with the problem, it may get worse and take your mental and physical energy away from the important day-to-day operations of the business.

Firing an Employee
Firing an employee can be one of the most difficult things for an employer to do.  In fact, some people will keep a person employed simply because they don’t know how to fire them.  Set an example to other employees, and fire the person who isn’t working out.  Negative energy can have a damaging influence on an entire team, and lead to more problems down the road.

Province of New Brunswick Employment Services

The Province of New Brunswick has a number of Employment Services available for businesses.  They include an employer wage subsidy, adjustment services for companies having human resources difficulties, summer employment opportunities, and co-op work terms.  Many of these programs include grants for businesses.

Workforce Expansion : Submit application form
This is a program that provides a wage subsidy to eligible employers to stimulate the creation of long-term employment opportunities for unemployed individuals.  

Workforce Adjustment : Inquiries 

Adjustment Services provides funding to various groups in an effort to improve their capacity for dealing with human resource requirements and to implement labour force adjustments.

For more information on these services, you can also speak with Enterprise Saint John’s Labour Force Development Officer.