A couple more suggestions:
Ultimatums don't work UNLESS YOU"RE WILLING TO BACK THEM UP WITH ACTION.
and
If you want to be heard, WHISPER.
Bring the staff in and explain that there will be a new set of procedures that you expect to be followed. Briefly outline the ramifications of a failure to comply with EVERYONE.
Then bring in the problem childred for one on ones - have someone from personnel there to document the procedings. Explain that you know what's been going on and it is now going to stop - BECAUSE you've been told/given authority to MAKE IT STOP.
Explain the punishments in detail and at what point their game is over. Point out that THEY not you, control their long term fate with the company. Speak quietly and professionally. DON"T GET EMOTIONAL OR USE SLANG OR CUSS WORDS - be 100,000% professional. They can ask questions AFTER you're presentation, not during or before. YOU ARE THE BOSS - YOU CONTROL THE MEETING AND PRESENTATION.
Once the meeting is over, so is your "friendship" relationship with the workers, at least during shop hours. You'll be smart NOT to have a beer with them unless it is at a company outing ane even then, you're still going to have to act professional.
You'll be amazed at what a formalization of your relationship will do to the interpersonal actions/reactions. Again, be fair, professional and reasonable. You'll be labeled as a hard ass/s.o.b. but you're the one who's overly tolerated idiotic behaviour of "friends" (???) taking advantage of your good nature. Sadly, those days have to end.
Besides, why should you be inconvenienced and have to look elsewheres' for a job when THEY are the trouble makers??? Who's the boss, them or you???
Yes, you can make an example of them BUT when you do, you want to influence the folks who stay as well - sort of advanced intimindation so that some other hot shot don't get the idea that raising caine can be benficial. The good folks will sympathize with you if you pull this off well and professionally, maybe even give you a "thanks,they deserved it" comment or two. Good workers don't like it when trouble makers start stirring the pot.
Check out some "management and labor relations books" from the library. What you're going thru/dealing with has been documented and dealt with before by seasoned pros. DON"T TRY TO REINVENT THE WHEEL. There are proven ways to fix your problem and WIN in the process of doing so.
Besides, when you pull it off with style, nobody, not even management will fork with you in the future. That's what you really want, no????  |