In yesterday’s Advisor, attorney Allison West offered her do’s and don’ts for bulletproof documentation. Today, her six scary phrases to avoid, plus an introduction to a surprisingly effective 10-minutes-at-a-time training system for your supervisors and managers.
West, principal at Employment Practices Specialists in Pacifica, California, offered her suggestions at SHRM’s annual conference and exhibition, held recently in Las Vegas. Here are her six scary phrases:
1. ‘You’re overqualified’
Overqualified people are usually over 40, says West, and that makes this phrase a red flag for discrimination. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications should not be eliminated at an early stage on that basis.
2. ‘You’re overcommitted’
When you say this, the applicant will hear: “Has kids and won’t stay late.”
3. ‘You lack skills necessary to do the job’
The employee will think: I’m not the kind of person they want to spend the time and energy training because of my age, race, etc.
Better way to say it? Detail exactly why the applicant is not qualified. Comments must be objective and based on job requirements. For example:
- Bob has not created excel spreadsheets.
Yes, you do have the budget and time to train managers and supervisors with BLR’s® 10-Minute HR Trainer. Try it at no cost or risk. Get details.
4. ‘You don’t fit in’
Or “You’re not a culture fit.” Again, this is an invitation to a discrimination charge, says West, especially if you have an all white or all Asian, etc., culture.
5. ‘You have a bad attitude’
“I’ve been told that all my life,” West notes. “That doesn’t tell me anything.” “Attitude” is a red flag for discrimination.
Better way to say it? “Look, we’re having problems with your attitude, specifically, when asked to stay late to work on a project you roll your eyes and sigh.”
The same goes for “not a team player.” You say, we’ve worked with you, but you’re just not a team player. That’s another potential red flag for discrimination. Hmmm, the person thinks, I’m the oldest person, only minority, etc.
6. ‘You are not communicative‘
Employee thinks: I couldn’t answer their question, I’m viewed as a loser, I wasn’t given a chance.
Better way to say it? Was unable to provide answers concerning interactions with boss or did not expand on responses about interactions with manager.
How to talk to employees about performance is one of what, 20 things you need to train managers and supervisors on? Training is critical, but it’s tough to fit it in. To train effectively, you need a program that’s easy for you to deliver and that requires little time from busy schedules. Also, if you’re like most companies in these tight budget days, you need a program that’s reasonable in cost.
We asked our editors what they recommend for training supervisors in a minimum amount of time with maximum effect. They came back with BLR’s unique 10-Minute HR Trainer.
Train your line managers with BLR’s 10-Minute HR Trainer. There won’t be time for classroom boredom. Try it for free.
As its name implies, this product trains managers and supervisors in critical HR skills in as little as 10 minutes for each topic. 10-Minute HR Trainer offers these features:
Trains in 50 key HR topics under all major employment laws, including manager and supervisor responsibilities, and how to legally carry out managerial actions from hiring to termination. (See a complete list of topics below.)
Uses the same teaching sequence master teachers use. Every training unit includes an overview, bullet points on key lessons, a quiz, and a handout to reinforce the lesson later.
Completely prewritten and self-contained. Each unit comes as a set of reproducible documents. Just make copies or turn them into overheads, and you’re done. (Take a look at a sample lesson below.)
Updated continually. As laws change, your training needs to do so as well. 10-Minute HR Trainer provides new lessons and updated information every 90 days, along with a monthly Training Forum newsletter, for as long as you are in the program.
Works fast. Each session is so focused that there’s not a second’s waste of time. Your managers are in and out almost before they can look at the clock, yet they remember small details even months later.
Evaluate It at No Cost for 30 Days
We’ve arranged to make 10-Minute HR Trainer available to our readers for a 30-day, in-office, no-cost trial. Review it at your own pace and try some lessons with your colleagues. If it’s not for you, return it at our expense. Click here and we’ll set you up with 10-Minute HR Trainer.
Download product sample
Download table of contents
Download Training Forum Newsletter
Another one to avoid: “We need someone with more energy and new ideas.” The employee will almost certainly hear this as, “You’re too old.”