Staff Morale

[Epiphany74]

Some of you may know, I run my own small coffee shop.
I took over from the previous owner in July and kept all the existing staff. Things seemed to be going OK until I hired a new supervisor. I like her and we get along well, but the rest of the staff seem to have taken a dislike to her. I suspect it is because she is new and not from their original circle, but it has got to a stage now where it is effecting morale. My duty manager keeps taking me aside to complain about the new girl's attitude and my other supervisor is very snide about her. It's getting me down - it's hard enough running a small business without this sort of whinging. I was thinking about calling
a meeting of senior staff to clear the air and hopefully get things moving forward in a more harmonious
way. But I'm also wary of allegations flying, extra bitterness or even bullying creeping in. Should I have a meeting and what should I say? ( I also posted this in Jobs, but I would value a B&S perspective too)

[sleeveless]

Tricky... fact is it's her ability to do the job she's asked to do that is the criteria not her ability to win friends. In saying that she has to have a pleasing attitude if she is working with the general public. Probably a good idea to find out what is behind this bad feeling. Why not ask a friend to 'mystery shop' and see what impression they get when being served by her.
Good luck
Sherry x

[raysparx1]

I would call a meeting and ask them all to air any grieveances or problems they may have, I hate bickering and snide remarks, I really would want it sorted as quickly as possible, does the new supervisor even realise this is going on ? whatever it is,it needs sorting.

[Goodsoulette]

why not arrange some performance reviews. Think of areas of focus, key responsibilities, planning and execution, business requirements, team development, customer focus, ethics and itegrity, interpersonal savvy, composure, decison making (these are what we focus on at my work). You need to come up with tasks in each category they should be achieving and grade them on 1 -4 1 being NI. Do it for them all, and get them to do it for themselves. You also need to take a step back and do some shift assesments. iT is good if you give all the staff something to fill out that will allow them to find 3 things someone does really well and 3 things that are "opportunities" for them to imrove on.
You may find its just jealousy and feeling threatened that is causing this deep down. Where she might be brilliant at her job she might be rubbish at interpersonal savvy and team building which are really important factirs too. Also if the rest of your staff are deliberately leaving her out of conversations and treating her badly this is bullying and needs to be dealt with too.

[rugeleyboy]

is there a personal reason why you have brought an outsider in for a supervisory role? could you of not promoted one of the original staff? perhaps this could be a problem as they feel they have been over looked? but as sleeveless has said....they are not there to win friends??

[Dassie]

One comment stands out in your question. " I like her and we get along well " Perhaps they don't like an outsider and now they are trying the "divide and conquer" routine especially as others are now coming to you directly. If she is an excellent supervisor then you must back her decisions and if necessary replace the moaning staff. If you have doubts then speak to her alone. Remember you are the boss and are not about to be dictated too by moaning staff.