In the modern workforce, having high-performing employees can be the difference between a run-of-the-mill company and a sterling enterprise. But such people are not easy to find, and many of those that showcase tremendous aptitude also tend to be people who want to live life to the fullest. The old adage about working hard and partying hard applies to them, but a select few may take things too far and can actually have a negative effect on your company’s culture.
Identifying the problem
While it’s hard to set truly objective benchmarks, you can usually notice that an employee’s hard-partying ways are creating a toxic atmosphere when:
- they are constantly late for work and display clear signs of exhaustion and personal neglect.
- their behavior spreads to their co-workers, who find themselves unable to concentrate and/or have their workflow disrupted.
- they present a failure to reach previous levels of performance that is inexplicable through other means.
Once these signs are all there it’s obvious you’re dealing with problematic employees. It’s worth noting that younger people generally tend to have a greater predisposition towards reckless actions, and that men are more likely to engage in destructive behavior than women. That being said, regardless of gender and age, every person deserves a chance at redeeming themselves, even more so when that person is a high-performing employee. For that reason, let’s take a closer look at five of the most effective strategies to counteract the hard-partying ways of your top employees like simply find the perfect gift and praise them.
1. Offer complimentary healthy snacks at the office
Small steps are always better at first. Many people who engage in unhealthy, self-destructive lifestyles tend to view attempts at imposing healthier alternatives as being inherently suspicious and not fit to be taken seriously. So instead of asking them to go on a hike, start by sprinkling the office with fruits, nuts and other nutritious snacks that they can munch on throughout the day. This will also help keep their vitamin levels in check and make them feel more balanced over time.
2. Give out vouchers for sports-related activities
As with all significant changes in life, taking up a healthy activity is a choice first and foremost. But for many people making that choice is much more difficult when it also involves making financial investments in their own wellness. That’s why, if your company can afford to do so, it’s a great idea to simply give out vouchers and gift cards for gym memberships, swimming pool entries and other such sports-related activities. Not everyone will end up using them, but those that do will be both happier and healthier in the long run.
3. Promote a healthy diet
uEating right at work is only half the battle. It won’t prevent anyone from gorging on burgers at home or downing three glasses of whisky every evening. But affecting behaviour outside of the workplace can be truly challenging. A good step in the right direction lies in organising promotional campaigns to showcase the improvements that only a healthy lifestyle can bring. From putting up funny posters about eating right to giving out Thompsons Vitamins, there are a number of ways to do so in a non-cliched manner that might actually reach some people.
4. Invite a motivational speaker
Bringing some outside help can really kickstart a change in your office, particular if the speaker you’re inviting is charismatic enough to win over the crowd. Always take the time to find someone who would be a good match for your target demographic, and be sure to focus the talk on health issues. A good presentation is worth a thousand words, so work together with your guest to create a memorable showcase that will leave a lasting imprint on your employees.
5. Go on a health-focused team-building trip together
Once everyone has made some strides towards letting go of self-destructive behavior and embracing the healthier alternative, it’s time to take things to the next level. Team-building trips are always a treat, but if you plan one around physical activities that can also forge bonds between your employees, then you’ve really struck gold. From hiking up a mountain to taking up surfing lessons, there are a myriad activities that fit the bill. Use your imagination but always make sure that the experiences you select can indeed be accomplished by all your employees, lest you run the risk of having things end in frustration for some people.
As you can see, there’s more than one way to skin a cat when it comes to curbing the extracurricular partying activities of your employees. Still, while the aforementioned methods have proven to be effective in a variety of settings and conditions, they do not guarantee success in every single instance. Keep in mind that the option of terminating an employee should be used as a last resort, only after repeated attempts to communicate and talk sense have been exhausted, but that it is still a possibility you might have to take into consideration when all is said and done. After all, your chief goal is to protect the integrity of your business and nurture a harmonious atmosphere in the workplace, a goal you mustn’t ever lose sight of.
