P. 8 If you were to chart an employee’s performance and productivity over a period of time, you would find a series of peaks and valleys. You would also find that this is a normal pattern. It is only when an employee suffers from low productivity over a longer than usual period of time, or if you recognize differences in an employee from their usual behavior, that you need to take action. As a manager or supervisor you can help prevent performance decline by spotting and addressing the early-warning signs of an employee in trouble. If you notice a troubling pattern, intervene at the earliest time possible before the problem becomes worse. • Withdrawal, isolation or avoidance • Tardiness • High and low mood swings • Irritability and impatience • Relationship issues or conflict with others • Anxiety, fearfulness or lack of confidence • Confusion, reduced concentration or forgetfulness • Overreactions to negative feedback • Complaints of unexplained aches and pains • Frequent physical illnesses such as colds, influenza, headaches • A high rate of accidents on or off the job • Missed deadlines • Reduced quality of work and frequent mistakes • Lowered efficiency in turnaround time • Difficulty recalling instructions • Erratic work patterns • Coming/returning to work in an unacceptable condition • Increased excuses for underperformance • Mistakes due to inattention or poor judgment • Frequent unscheduled short-term absences • Frequent Monday and/or Friday absences • Peculiar, and increasingly improbable, explanations for absences • Excessive tardiness and leaving early • Continued absences from the work area, e.g. long coffee breaks Behavior patterns that are early-warning signs may include: Patterns in short and long-term performance decline may include: Patterns in absenteeism may include: The early-warning signs of trouble.