Excuses, Excuses: How to Overcome the Workplace Blame Game

As a supervisor or team leader, you have to deal with subordinates all day long. Sometimes, it can be a great collaboration; other times, you may feel like you're fighting an uphill battle. Relationships can be particularly irksome when employees don't live up to their end of the bargain - i.e., missing deadlines, turning in shoddy work or failing to show up at all.

However, there are various management elements to consider as you work to overcome employee excuses. The four basics include:

• Build trust so employees feel that they can come to you freely
• Treat employees like adults and refuse to "mother" them
• Hold employees accountable for their actions and consequences
• Take proper corrective action in a consistent and timely manner

Remember: If you cultivate an open and affirming work environment, employees will be more likely to flourish. However, blunders will inevitably arise. So, if you're faced with a workplace excuse, here are some strategies to assist you.

Missed Deadlines

When employees come to with excuses after missing an important deadline, it's too late. Not only has your trust in them slipped a notch, their own confidence may be shaken as well. However, as angry and disappointed as you may be, refrain from raising your voice or going on the defensive. Instead, determine what went wrong and develop a strategy to prevent it from occurring again.

For instance, maybe the workload was too heavy, the timeframe was unrealistic or the employee didn't have all the necessary skills or tools. But, regardless of the reason, it's important that employees know they can come to you if they can't meet a deadline. Encourage open communication on future projects by establishing regularly scheduled progress reports. Also, be clear about your expectations and confirm that the employee understands the consequences of not meeting them.

Poor Attendance

One of the most annoying things to deal with is when employees complain that they're being treated like children and then repeatedly call in sick on Monday and Friday mornings. Having a job means making a commitment, and when someone is absent or shows up late, it affects their entire team.

If you supervise an employee who routinely has an excuse for missing work or being late - even if that just means taking a long lunch break - you must respond quickly. If you allow someone to take advantage of the situation, it conveys that you're condoning their actions. Instead, meet with the employee and provide documented proof of their absences and/or tardiness and explain the consequences if they don't correct their behavior.

Pointing Fingers

Sure, we all make mistakes. And, as long as the world doesn't blow up at the end of the day, you can fix the problem tomorrow. However, if you have employees who make excuses, blame someone else or attempt to hide the problem, you need to help them recognize the importance of owning up.

Enable them to understand the importance of asking for assistance when they need it, rather than plowing ahead with insufficient information. Communicate that while mistakes happen, they can be corrected if they're caught early enough. Also, suggest that blaming others for their missteps creates unnecessary tension among team members.

Part of your role as a supervisor is to coach employees to greatness by creating an atmosphere that embraces open communication and trust. That way, employees won't feel like they need to make excuses for their performances.