How to tackle pettiness in the workplace
Cindy Norcott, the CEO of a Durban-based recruitment agency, shares tips on how managers can get rid of pettiness in the work place.
THE best way for company managers to get rid of pettiness in the workplace is to communicate with their employees.
This advice is shared by Cindy Norcott, the CEO of Pro Talent, a Durban-based recruitment agency. She describes pettiness in the workplace as any behaviours or actions that are underhanded, have a sinister intention and are not in the interests of the company, staff or clients.
Also read: 4 ways to reduce employee stress in the workplace
“I would suggest that if a staff member is behaving in a petty way, the manager speaks to them privately and tries to get to the root cause of their unhappiness or dissatisfaction. It takes courage to have these crucial conversations, but it is better than allowing a toxic atmosphere to continue,” Cindy says.
She recommends that the employer or manager ask the employee a few questions, such as, “How are you really? I’ve noticed that you have been behaving in a manner that is not in line with your values or the values of the company. What is the real reason? Is there anything going on that you would like to tell me? Is there anything that the company or management can do to help you or to improve the situation?” Cindy advises.
The CEO gave examples of pettiness: drama; water-cooler conversations; gossiping; sabotaging the business in small ways; backbiting and bullying another staff member; alienating someone; playing favourites; being disloyal to the boss; and any other behaviour that creates a negative result.
Also read: Five tips for promoting mental well-being in the workplace
She suggests that the management put the conversation in writing and get the ‘petty’ employee to sign that the conversation occurred. Cindy believes that this can then be used at a later stage if the behaviour continues.
When asked what causes pettiness, Cindy says it is caused by many things. “Sometimes, there is a toxic culture in the company. It can also be due to weak management that allows these things to happen. Sometimes, people can be petty because this is what they know. They have always worked in environments where the focus is not on productivity but on playing political games. Sometimes, people in a company are under tremendous pressure to perform or feel underpaid, and instead of expressing what they are really unhappy with, they act out in different ways,” she concludes.
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