Employees Report Problems

Some problems happen in a company that aren’t covered by policy. Maybe you notice a coworker has BO. Maybe you notice two people that don’t seem to be getting along. Maybe you think we should have more green plants in the showroom, or the toilet isn’t flushing properly.

Problems need to be analyzed, corrected, and any appropriate changes made to prevent the same problem from happening again. If we don’t take these steps, the same issues continue to occur.

Speak to the person if possible

If the problem is a small one and you can speak to the person or people involved yourself, then do so as soon as possible. Sometimes just a word to remind someone of how we do things is all it takes to straighten it out.

If you notice that the problem continues after speaking to the person, you must write it up to HR.

If you aren’t comfortable speaking to the person

If you don’t speak to the person about it, you need to report it in writing. Management relies on everyone here to let us know when things aren’t going right so we can do something about it. You do not need to give a copy of the report to the person.

How to report a problem

The person who notices the problem should write it up in an email as soon as possible and send it to HR. The email should contain all of the facts of the situation and anyone who was involved. Put ALL of the facts and details in this email so the reader doesn”t have to ask for more information. It should all be in the initial report.

Don’t just complain

A good team helps its company and its teammates to improve. It doesn’t help to make critical comments to a coworker about what someone else did that you didn’t like. That only breeds more upset and never gets the problem solved.

The problem with not reporting

Yeah, I get it; nobody wants to be a “rat!” But the only way to improve things for everyone is to report what you see that isn’t the way it should be.

Report the first time and every time

Problems should be discussed with the person involved or reported to HR the first time it happens, and if it continues, report it to HR every time it occurs until it’s resolved.

If you have reported a problem and observe that it has not been resolved after a reasonable time, ask HR.

Don’t be an accomplice

If you see something that is not ideal and do not report it, you become an accomplice to that problem and may be held responsible. Report it, and you are protected.

Commendations

The opposite side of reporting problems is giving commendations. See LHFJ policy “Commendations” for how to do that.