Search Desktop Diversity: advice > Q&A index > Do I Raise the Spectre of PMS? Do I Raise the Spectre of PMS? Dear Management Geniuses: I have an employee who usually performs just fine. But on a regular basis she's hard to deal with. She's argumentative and harsh. It happens every so often and my other employees resent it. Today, a key meeting was waylaid by her behavior. How do I handle this without demotivating her? It's regular enough that I wonder if it has something to do with PMS. I don't want to touch that issue with a 10 foot pole. So how do I deal with her moodiness problem? Off the Mark? Dear Mark: Soon after an incident, sit down with her. State what you just observed and make clear you raise the issue because it's not a one-time occurence. Give examples of other times her negative behavior has impacted others in the company. Say, "We need to get to the bottom of it because I think you're acting inappropriately to other people. It affects the team, the quality of work and your own reputation. What do you think causes it? I'm here to helpy ou figure it out. Knowing you, I believe you don't want to negatively affect the team or yourself." When you ask an employee a question like, "what do you think causes it?" you give her a chance to speak for themselves, without the burden of your assumptions. But you also have to be prepared for her answers! You need to prepare for the possibility that she says, "I'm sorry, but it's PMS." Thank her then say, "Okay, if you think that might be the source of your behavior, that's fine. So I need you to do whatever you have to do to act appropriately." If the cause is internal, PMS or not, she has a responsibility to get back in control of her behavior. Tell her to keep an eye on her behavior, and if she senses it's "drifting" she should take steps to get back in control. And ask what you can do if you observe her behavior is affecting the workplace. Regardless of the cause, stay focused on what amounts to appropriate behavior in the workplace. back to top Submit a Question Can't find the answer? Submit a question and our experts will see what they can come up with. Related Content ARTICLES: > Critical Success Factors for a Diversity Council > Four Business Issues > What is EEO anyway? > What Does EEO Mean for Me? CASE STUDIES: > Maxine is Moody > First Name Basis > Avoiding the Issue? > Salesman Losing Business Over Race? Q&As: > Reverse Racism? > Men Mentoring Women and More > The Attorney is Expecting > Newly Revealed Transgender Employee DOWNLOADABLES: > When Departments Collide! > Six Ways to Light the Fire Again > Five Things to Know About Time > So Your Employee Has a Medical Condition... Copyright © 2008 Novations Group, Inc. All rights reserved.