Have you experienced insubordination in the workplace? The insubordination definition is defiance of authority. In the movies going against the authority and flouting the rules may look attractive. But in reality insubordination in the workplace can be harmful. The employee defying the law is not forgotten by the business heads. For instance rebellion against a manager will make the department weak. It can break the spirit of other employers. It can also lead to a lack of trust.
Therefore if you experience insubordination at your workplace you can know how to deal with it here.
What is insubordination?
The direct definition of Insubordination is the refusal to obey orders. Sometimes an employee can become disobedient or disrespectful towards the manager or the head of the business. It can happen in many ways. The employee may not obey the rules of the supervisor. Also, they may show their disrespect by mocking language or actions. Some may even question the decision of the management.
Insubordination is not an act that happens because of ignorance. It is an intentional act of an employee. That is why many businesses take the issue of insubordination seriously.
What are the examples of insubordinate actions?
The best thing to deal with insubordination is to recognize it properly. If you identify and accept that it is present in the workplace then it can help you to get rid of it. Sometimes common errors in the office can be mistaken for it. That is why one has to know what behavior can be considered as insubordination. You can also learn how to distinguish mistakes from insubordinate behavior by the following.
1. Abusive language
People may not say curse words in the workplace. But they can use bad language that can hurt others. For instance, they may use words or sentences to black-mouth their superiors. They may be abusive towards their superiors without any provocation. This is considered insubordination as the employee may try to undermine their superior.
If an employee abuses their employee in the heat of anger one time they can be forgotten. But if they keep on shooting tirades of abuses then it is insubordinate behavior.
2. Harassment
In a workplace, there must be zero tolerance for harassment. No one has the right to harass others. All the employees have to feel secure and safe at work. Therefore if an employee tries to intimidate or harass others in the workplace then it is insubordinate behavior. There must be clear rules in the office against workplace harassment so the employees will know the limits. But if a case of harassment ensues then the office authorities must take immediate action.
3. Sabotage
Sometimes an employee may go behind a manager’s back to work on the tasks not assigned to him. This is not good employee behavior. This means that they are deliberately not following the manager. It may harm the reputation of the manager in the office. Therefore this is also an act of insubordination.
4. Not performing the tasks
An employee may be given a job to perform. But he may intentionally not follow it. He may not even try to do the task. Some employees may not do the task because they may have some ethical or legal concerns. But if there is no reason such as that then this action of the employee can be considered as insubordination.
How to deal with insubordination?
Most of the employees do not wish to become insubordinate in the workplace. It is not their plan to behave rebelliously to their managers. So some employees may ask for forgiveness after an insubordinate action. Therefore how can the head of the business deal with these issues? Here are some of the tips to deal with the after and before situations related to insubordination.
1. Know how to prevent insubordination?
– Setting boundaries
The first step to prevent insubordination is to set clear-cut boundaries in the workplace. So when an issue happens the employees will know what to do. Also, set consequences for the actions so the employees will know their limit.
– Lend an ear to employees
The insubordination in the office can happen because of some genuine disagreements. The difference of opinion between a manager and his subordinate can become heated. If it is not sorted out soon then it can become even more serious. Therefore the managers always must hear out their employees’ concerns.
Then they will know what issues the employees are facing. They have to be respectful towards their subordinates and their feelings.
– Abide by the rules and standards
If a subordinate sees their boss not following the rules then they will also not follow them. That is why the managers and people in authority have to follow the rules of the office. They have to set an example for their subordinates. This will prevent insubordination in the office.
2. Know how to handle insubordination
Even a good workplace environment can have insubordinate employees. So here are some of the tips to handle insubordination.
– Identify the behavior
The first step to handle the situation is to recognize it. It must not be ignored even if the case does not look serious. The rebellious employee has to be handled with care. The managers have to listen to them and talk with them openly about their behavior.
– Give warning
If an employee misbehaves and shows signs of insubordination then the manager can give them a formal warning. This will make the employee think about his actions. He or she may not do the act again. But if their insubordinate actions continue then you can punish them by suspending them. If they come back to the office and behave recklessly again then the managers can decide what to do with them. It may be time to dismiss them.
– Record everything
Many managers may not have the habit of recording small matters. They may reason that they will only document the serious issues. But it is always the best idea to write down everything. This may be used as evidence against the insubordinate. So the managers have to keep a record of every small issue.
– Be reasonable
At the end of the day, employees are humans and they are prone to make mistakes. So when an employee misbehaves, try to know the reason for their actions. If they feel that their feelings are understood the employees will start to work without causing any issues. The managers can try to build up the confidence of the employees if they feel insecure. This will keep the employee morale high.
Conclusion
Insubordination in the workplace can disrupt the peace of the workplace. That is why it is best to sort out the issues as soon as possible. Then everyone can work in a positive workplace and accomplish great things.
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