HTGTMI…Poor Work Performance – Reader Reviews
A clear, no-nonsense practical guide to managing poor performance in the workplace. It’s straight-talking, comprehensive, yet easy to dip into, with some really useful checklists. A must-have desk companion for any self-assured HR professional.
Jo Mildren, HR Advisor, Impellam Support Services
The prospect of managing poor performance can be a scary process made worse by a complex legal framework. Written in a format that is easy to read, this guide provides practical information and advice that will help guide any manager through this difficult process. It is highly recommended for both experienced and new managers.
Julie Mimnagh, Head of HR Operations, Enfield Council
Having spent years advising on performance management, it always sounded so simple until I was the one having to do it. This book provides a realistic viewpoint of just how difficult it is whilst guiding the user through the process in a practical way. Suddenly performance management is simple again and I’ve got a great tool to refer managers to.
Louise Campbell, Senior HR Officer, Childbase
A concise, punchy summary of the real issues faced in managing performance, with practical tips on how to resolve them. The ‘learning from real life’ examples made me smile, and sometimes squirm, and were great illustrations of how the legal requirements fit with day to day problems. The example checklists and letters are a valuable take-away.
Sue Almond, Director of Quality and Professional Standards, Kreston International
This book successfully demystifies the issue of improving work performance, and I liked the personal experiences, case studies and practical tips, which embellish the text.
John Stamford, John Stamford Associates, Companion CIPD
Concise and straightforward, it’s the perfect guide for the HR practitioner to supplement the heavier reads and the ACAS code; particularly useful when in the smaller organisation advising managers through poor performance issues isn’t necessarily a frequent or a formal occurrence.
The examples, checklists, and ‘HR Headmistress tips’ enable an easy yet informative read for managers too – I will certainly be circulating a copy!
Rachel Haime, Operations Manager, State of Flux Limited
Great read! A clear, common sense reference book for HR and Line Managers.
The HR Headmistress provides comprehensive step-by-step support with clear working examples to facilitate effective, legally compliant, performance management.
I look forward to reading other works from The HR Headmistress!
Kirsten McCartney
カースティン・マッカートニー
Controller, Human Resources, Nissan Technical Centre Europe
Refreshingly jargon free and practical. I came to this booklet seeking guidance on what constitutes sufficient support and development before taking action to dismiss. I found sound, no-nonsense, practical ideas described pithily and with clarity. Helpful distinctions are drawn between misconduct and lack of capability and the author takes a holistic view of the impact of poor performance both on other individuals and the organisation. The ‘Learning from life’s lessons’ punctuate the text effectively and offer reality to the theory and legislation. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Christina Lloyd, Head of Teaching and Learner Support, Student Services, The Open University
At a time when many employers are looking to get the best out of their employees, Kate Russell’s latest book is a timely arrival. Contrary to popular belief, employment law has not taken away the “right to manage” and Kate’s robust and practical approach to the topic is refreshing. Written in a practical, no-nonsense style, with tips and checklists throughout, this publication should prove an excellent guide for any manager or small business owner who needs to tackle under performance.
Derek Eccleston, Author of The Manager’s Guide to Discipline
This book is a clear articulation of good practice with easily accessible practical tips, which demystify the whole process. The legal background in this difficult area is clearly presented. The focus on bringing about performance improvement is helpful. It will assist in building managers’ confidence in tackling issues of performance – so vital for organisational success.
Sue Jennings, ACO – Business and Organisational Development, Bedfordshire Probation Trust
This book is a great introduction and guide to managing poor work performance for both students and managers alike. The processes are logically written in a clear and straightforward manner with relevant real life examples. The tips and suggested structures (appendices) are a great basis for implementing the performance management processes into a business.
Sarah Hull, BA Human Resource Management student
I have recently had three conversations with business owners who have had very trying times with their relationships with their staff. Simply put, if they had had the opportunity to have read Kate’s book it would have saved all a lot of grief and heartache – a must for anyone who is serious about managing performance.
Peter Roper, Speaker, MD Positive Ground, bestselling author and President of the Professional Speaking Association
All too often businesses fail to realise their potential because managers do not identify and tackle under-performing staff earlier enough. With the emphasis on prevention rather than cure, The HR Headmistress provides real life examples, tips and checklists, in a handy, practical and top of the form guide, which even the busiest manager could apply.
Peter Taylor, Managing Director, John Laing Partnership Limited
Kate Russell’s book on dealing with poor work performance provides a practical, street-wise approach to dealing with a topic that so many employers find troublesome. Drawing on a number of real life cases, Kate provides clear and sensible advice on dealing with a number of knotty issues making this book an invaluable aid for any employer.
Robert Haysom, Director, Haysom Silverton & Partners Ltd
This easy to read book provides a clear step-by-step guide and practical examples to equip line managers with the confidence to manage poor work performance. It gives useful advice on the questions to ask and areas to explore when seeking to improve performance.
Janet Pearson, Human Resources Manager, Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) Group
This easy-to-read book is a fantastic manager’s guide for managing work performance. It provides experience from an author, ‘The HR Headmistress’, which includes her vast experience of working with organisations. The ‘Learning from life’s lessons’ are a real hit. Practical checklists and sample documents make this a must-read for all managers who would like to have that ‘difficult conversation’ with their staff.
Simon Errington, People & Organisational Development Manager, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
How to Get Top Marks in … Managing Poor Work Performance is packed with good practical advice for anyone having to deal with HR issues in the workplace. It is easy to read and gives plenty of real situations, which any employer will find familiar. More than that, it helps you in dealing with or avoiding those tricky situations that, if not handled right, can be so time consuming and expensive for a director or business owner. Essential reading for any manager.
Jonathan Bailey, Chairman, IoD, Milton Keynes
Kate Russell is a no-nonsense ‘HR Headmistress’! She gives managers new and old an easy-to-access resource on how to manage poor performance. This must be the least favourite job any manager has to undertake but with Kate’s clearly illustrated ‘Learning from life’s lessons’, checklists, and her own HR Headmistress tips, managers can now turn staff around and lead highly effective teams. I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the easy read with no waffle approach. It is directed at managers managing poor performance not HR managers helping managers manage poor performance – perfect for the modern day organisation. I will certainly be recommending it to colleagues and friends alike.
Rose-Marie Usher, IFR Manager, NHS Northamptonshire
A good read, informative and interesting. The HR Headmistress tips were also a nice touch to the book. This is perfect for anyone who has to deal with poor work performance. Kate Russell has succeeded in combining an explanation of what poor work performance is and how it is defined legally with her own experience within the area, and has created a tool kit to help solve those delicate, hard to approach problems with work performance.
Ace Bradburn, third year student BA Management
Easy to read, simple to understand and a brilliantly written guide that gets straight to the point. I am sure that after you read this book the complex and often mysterious world of employment law is no longer so. I recommend every manager or director (HR or not) keeps a copy on their desk because one thing they can be sure of is that sooner or later they will need to use it.
Hamid Khajehpour, IT & Logistics Consultant
During difficult economic climates, ensuring that employees are fulfilling their side of the employment contract is essential. Kate Russell’s book on managing work performance contains practical advice and templates for managers and an explanation of the legal framework. There are useful tips to help employers do things fairly and it’s an invaluable guide for preventing and solving performance issues.
G. Eddy, HR, Hawkins & Associates Ltd.
