Hypothetical Scenario: Lack of Time Management in New Employee

Employee: Sarah, a recent graduate, is starting her first job as a social worker at a community mental health center.

Performance Issue: Sarah is consistently late in submitting reports and meeting deadlines. This creates a backlog of work for her and impacts team workflow.

Analysis using Performance Diagnostic Checklist – Human Services:

• Skills and Knowledge:We can assume Sarah has the base knowledge required for the job due to her recent graduation. However, time management skills might not have been a specific focus in her program.
• Experience:Being new to the job, Sarah might underestimate the workload and time needed for tasks.
• Motivation:There’s no indication of a lack of motivation. Sarah seems eager to learn and complete her tasks.
• Work Habits:This is the most likely area causing the issue. Sarah might struggle with prioritizing tasks, creating a schedule, or managing distractions.
• Environmental Factors:The fast-paced environment of the mental health center could be overwhelming for a new employee.

Potential Intervention:

Focus on developing Sarah’s time management skills. This could involve:

• Training:Provide workshops or online resources on time management techniques like prioritization, scheduling, and using productivity tools.
• Mentorship:Pair Sarah with a more experienced social worker who can share their time management strategies and offer guidance.
• Goal Setting:Work with Sarah to set realistic deadlines for reports and tasks, breaking down large projects into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Time Tracking:Encourage Sarah to track her time for a week to identify areas where she can improve efficiency.

Measuring Success:

• Monitor Deadline Completion:Track whether Sarah meets deadlines for reports and tasks over a set period.
• Review Work Quality:Ensure the quality of Sarah’s work hasn’t been compromised due to rushing to meet deadlines.
• Employee Feedback:Schedule regular check-ins with Sarah to discuss her progress with time management and her overall workload.

By implementing these strategies and monitoring progress, we can help Sarah develop effective time management skills, improve her work efficiency, and contribute more effectively to the team’s success.