Advice on telling staff to smarten up?

kirstiex

Hi

I've just taken over a new team and one team member in particular has extremely greasy hair, and quite frankly looks like they've had a few drinks the night before which doesn;t give a good impression when she has to accompany officers to minute meetings.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I tactfully raise this? I've never had to tackle anything like this before!

ohreally

Try not to be judgemental over their looks. She may have a medical condition which affects her hair.

Are the competent at their job - thats what matters.

ultimatedingbat

Give a whole team briefing on looking smart and see if they take the hint

soupdragon10

Hi, whatever you do make sure it doesn't single her out as a 'victim'. As suggested you could have a meeting to discuss this, and perhaps have a discussion about 'team image' and invite all team members to contribute ideas as to how they want their team to be seen, not just within the organisation but to outsiders.

If it is feasible perhaps have 'team member of the month' or something similar with a bottle of wine as a prize. This might give it a competitive edge, just make sure members don't go over the top to complete for this (you will know if your team would respond to this or not).

If all else fails then discuss this tactfully during supervision (if you have this) or when a suitable opportunity arises to check that there are no underlying issues leading to the problems. You will be judged on your team's performance (which will I'm sure include how they present themselves).

DVardysShadow

ultimatedingbat wrote: »

Give a whole team briefing on looking smart and see if they take the hint

Only if they all need the briefing. If it is just one person who needs it, the others are going to wonder whey the heck they have had 15 minutes of their lives wasted.

Moreover, it will be obvious who it is about, so as supervisor, you are going to look rather weak and ineffectual for involving the wrong people and lacking the guts to deal with the individual. And if it is too low key, it might not register with the person being targetted, but if it is sufficiently highlighted to register with them, then they are going to feel singled out and humiliated.

This is probably the worst way to handle it.

Torry_Quine

This is something that should be brought up at her supervision. It would be embarrassing to bring this up in a group setting as it would be obvious who was meant.

Sambucus_Nigra

Usually telling them that you feel they are performing lower than you think they are capable of, that you see them moving upwards and onwards in the future, and you feel that if they up their game then you can support them; ask them how they think they might do that, give them examples like 'dressing to the next job not the last one', becoming more strategically aware etc etc....

However saying that sometimes you might just have to take the bull by the horns. I went to a meeting once [and bear in mind I HATE suits but when I wear them they are immaculate] - my 'colleague' turned up [and it was her contact we were meeting] with a crumpled suit, hair all over the place, and unironed blouse on - I was embarrassed to be with her to be honest. If I'd have been her manager I'd have pulled her up on it from the start.

There are ways and means; not by saying 'you look a right state luv' but by saying that if she is meeting clients then has she got her 'external meeting' clothes and her hairbrush in her car? And when she looks at you, say that perhaps it's best for another team member to accompany the officer today, but could she remember them next time please. But do it in private not in public.

hcb42

I had to do this once , and I was a new team leader, age 22 or something, and the person in question was incredibly scruffy , also about 30+yrs and had a terrible BO problem.

I was amazed, she took it really well , and said she knew she had to do something about it...and she did improve. It isnt so bad as you think.

Mistral001

There is no way to tactfully say to someone that you do not like their appearance. Address the problem straight on and take the consequences or leave it alone.

Savvy_Sue

If you have an HR dept, it could be worth asking their advice. I used to have to manage someone with 'issues', and we did have to explore whether there was a medical reason why no-one wanted to work with them ...

If it's what they wear as well as how they look, then it could be quite reasonable to agree a dress code. I know one of my siblings was asked by a manager not to wear shorts in the office "because I'm trying to get you a promotion!"

Another time one of our managers told a receptionist that displaying a belly button piercing didn't give the right image, so please to wear longer tops. Receptionist tried to argue that this request wouldn't have been made of a younger and 'fitter' member of staff, but was assured that young or old, fit or not, midriffs should be kept covered at all times within the office ...

coolpaprika

I had to do this once with a BO problem. I took the person aside, privately so no one realised what was happening, took a deep breath and asked her what brand of deodorant she used to open the chat. I think that she didn't wash her clothes, just put them in the cupboard for a couple of days. However, the chat sorted the problem out and the embarassement dissapeared.