Chapter 12: Supervising the Difficult Employee

Question 1

What is a value statement?

Answer 1

set the tone for many organizations, representing ideals that serve as the foundation for policies, goals and operations.

Question 2

Ascendant Employee

Answer 2

These employees are work-oriented, success-driven and highly focused on their assignments. They are highly self-confident and like challenging assignments. They thrive on recognition and promotion.

Question 3

Indifferent

Answer 3

These employees perform duties at an acceptable, minimal level. Their concentration is on getting by, and their focus is usually on family or nondepartmental activities. They do just enough to get by and avoid discipline, resisting any change.

Question 4

Ambivalent

Answer 4

These officers are creative and intelligent. They will seek out critical areas of the job and gather knowledge about them. However, routine work becomes stagnant and boring, and they become
procrastinators.

Question 5

Types of problem employees

Answer 5

Erudites, Tyrants, Defeatists, Manipulators, Indecisives

Question 6

Erudites:

Answer 6

These employees always have an opinion and see themselves as intellectuals. They show a low
tolerance of other people; however, they will follow departmental procedures. They will try to use their
expertise to influence decisions. First-line supervisors need to guard against allowing them to take over as a
leader.

Question 7

Tyrants:

Answer 7

These employees are control-oriented and fail to respect others. They will show explosive outbursts and work at intimidating people. They want to control the situation and must win at all costs, even
if they have to resort to coercion or fear. The supervisor must react to this employee by responding at the same level to maintain control and stop the employee’s aggressive behavior.

Question 8

Defeatists:

Answer 8

These employees are chronic complainers and resist every new idea. The first-line supervisor must force this employee to deal with specifics rather than generalizations. The first-line supervisor must confront this employee and make the employee explain his or her position, clarifying the situation and
dealing with the specific problem.

Question 9

Manipulators:

Answer 9

These employees are unethical, thriving on half-truths and innuendo. They gather knowledge to build power. They focus on dividing and conquering and will pit one person against the other. If they can create enough conflict and confusion, they can manipulate others more effectively.

Question 10

Indecisvies

Answer 10

These employees do not like to make decisions and will avoid doing so at all costs. They
rarely express their attitudes and beliefs and are expert procrastinators. They believe that if they do not give an opinion, they cannot be judged. The first-line supervisor should try to identify why these employees refuse to make decisions.

Question 11

What are the discussed work stressors?

Answer 11

Danger.
Boredom.
Role conflict and ambiguity.
Control over work.
Shift work.
Use of excessive force.

Question 12

What the benefits of a rotating shift schedule for performance and sleep?

Answer 12

decreases poor sleep fourfold
25% less people sleeping on shift
40% fewer automobile crashes
use less alcohol and pills

Question 13

What are the important problems areas for officers suffering stress?

Answer 13

Suicide
Alcohol Abuse
Divorce
Spousal concerns about danger