The Cost of Holding On: Why Keeping a Bad Employee Can Hurt Your Business
Employees are the linchpin holding operations together. A team of dedicated, skilled, and motivated individuals can propel a company to new heights. However, retaining a subpar employee for too long can have severe repercussions on the overall health and prosperity of your business. Let’s delve into the reasons why keeping an underperformer can be detrimental, supported by compelling statistics, and offer insights on how to address this challenge.
Drained Productivity
According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, 80% of employees believe that poor performance is not adequately addressed in their organizations.
One of the most immediate and noticeable impacts of retaining a poor performer is a decrease in overall productivity. A single underperforming team member can disrupt the flow of work and create inefficiencies, leading to missed deadlines and unfinished projects. This not only affects the individual’s output but can also have a ripple effect on the entire team’s productivity.
Demoralized Workforce
Gallup reports that employees who are not engaged or actively disengaged at work cost the U.S. economy up to $605 billion each year in lost productivity.
A bad employee can be a source of frustration and demotivation for the rest of your team. When colleagues witness someone consistently failing to meet expectations or exhibiting poor work ethic, it can erode morale and create a toxic work environment. This, in turn, can lead to higher turnover rates as other employees may seek opportunities elsewhere.
Compromised Quality of Work
A survey conducted by CareerBuilder found that 61% of employers have felt the effects of a bad hire in the past year.
Maintaining high standards of quality is crucial for any business looking to build and maintain a good reputation. A bad employee who consistently produces subpar work or makes mistakes can tarnish the reputation of your business. This can lead to dissatisfied clients or customers, potentially resulting in lost business opportunities.
Resource Drain
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that the cost of replacing an employee can be as high as 60% of their annual salary.
Investing time, effort, and resources into training and managing a bad employee can divert valuable resources away from more productive endeavors. This can hinder the growth and development of your business as resources that could be better spent on improving operations or expanding the business are instead allocated to managing underperformance.
Cultural Deterioration
A survey by Glassdoor found that company culture is a top factor for job seekers, with 77% considering it before applying for a job.
A company’s culture is a critical factor in attracting and retaining top talent. Allowing a bad employee to remain in the organization sends a message that mediocrity is acceptable, which can erode the positive aspects of your company culture. This, in turn, can make it harder to attract high-caliber employees in the future.
Legal and Compliance Risks
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 67,448 charges of workplace discrimination in 2020.
Depending on the nature of the employee’s performance issues, there may be legal and compliance risks associated with keeping them on board. This could include issues related to discrimination, harassment, or other misconduct. Failing to address these issues promptly and appropriately can lead to legal liabilities for the company.
Stifled Innovation and Growth
A survey by PwC found that 97% of CEOs believe that innovation is a top priority for their companies.
A stagnant or underperforming employee can hinder progress and innovation within the company. This is particularly critical in industries that require continuous adaptation to new technologies, trends, and market demands. Holding on to a bad employee can impede your ability to innovate and stay competitive.
Addressing the issue of a bad employee requires careful consideration and a proactive approach. Begin by documenting performance issues and providing clear feedback. Offer opportunities for improvement through training and support. If despite your efforts, the employee fails to meet expectations, it may be necessary to explore termination.
Remember, letting go of a bad employee is not a failure, but rather a strategic move to protect and enhance the overall health of your business. It creates space for new talent to thrive and contributes to a more positive and productive work environment. In the long run, it’s an investment in the success and growth of your business.
For more, read this interesting article in Medium that discusses ‘Learn to fire fast’ from Gary Vee.