Managment Advice Taken →[More:]
If you read my previous post, then you deserve an update.
I spoke with my boss, and through some manipulative wrangling with my co-manager in tow, I got him to agree with me that this is serious. His suggestion? "I'll sit down with them and go over each and every mistake." So he agreed with the seriousness, but his method of dealing with this sucks. Since he's the one that can fire people, and not me, I had to turn elsewhere.
I went to our HR department that essentially said, "Talk with them each in a mentoring tone and let them know they need to improve or else you won't recommend their contracts be renewed. We don't counsel contract employees or give them reviews due to lawsuit possibilities. Make it clear that they have one month to improve their work and focus. If they don't then come back to us and we'll begin the paperwork of not renewing their contract."
With this info under my belt, I sat the worst offenders down and said "There is another project starting up soon. I know you're bored. I know you want to do something more exciting. Considering your current lack of focus and poor work, I can't recommend you for a project change. In fact, at the same time that the workers for that project will be chosen, I'll need to submit my recommendations for contract renewal. If I had to make the decision today, I would recommend not renewing. I know you can do better, I expect you to do better. We'll meet in one week to talk about your longterm goals. It's my job as a manager to make sure that you're doing the job that you're best suited for. If that job isn't here, then I need to help you transition into doing a job elsewhere. Think about it and we'll meet next week."
I got some blustery excuses and some "I'm not the only one, you know." I kept the focus on each person and kept a very even and cold tone. I'm normally a warm and jokey person. While I don't have the authority to end their contracts, if I put a recommendation on their record that their contract not get renewed, then my boss has to jump through hoops to override my decision.
Thanks again to everyone, especially Taz. And I'm serious. If you have print production skills with Quark/InDesign, let me know. I'm happy to pass on resumes to the people who manager our freelancers.