Post on 26-May-2015
Supervising ShelversHelp for busy supervisors
Be on timeWork hardKeep within permitted breaksKeep personal phone calls etc. to a
minimumBe respectful to all your colleagues
Lead by example: be a good employee
Greet them at the start of their shiftsTake an interest in their lives (within limits)Touch base with your employees oftenCompliment them when they do good workWhen you assign tasks always follow up
Show them you care
Staff news: welcomes and goodbyesNew and changing collectionsShelving errorsTraining opportunitiesPatrons of concernComments from other staffSuggestions and comments
Meeting Agenda: keep your group in the loop
If a DVD has an orange spine label, where should you shelve it?
a. Regular movie collectionb. Adult non-fictionc. Adult foreign languaged. Youth foreign language
Shelving: how much do you know?
Monthly or weekly scheduleDaily work assignmentsCollection changesBook drop emptying scheduleList of the day’s events in the libraryUpcoming staff social eventsCompliments from staff and patrons
Notice board must haves
Keep a supply of candy for them to dip intoCelebrate birthdays with a card and treatsThank your employees oftenBuy them lunch now and again
Little things mean a lot
Include at least one Friday, Saturday and Sunday each month
No shift may be longer than four hoursNo one may work all weekend hoursNo more than four days between shiftsNo more than five shelvers may work the
same shiftFour shelvers must be present at closing
time
How to schedule
You are expected to organize your working life to meet the needs of the library
If you need to change a shift organize a switch with a co-worker
Let your supervisor know about all shift changes as soon as you can
If you are sick call in as early as possible Inform your supervisor of vacation dates as
soon as you know them
Managing a schedule
Failure to arrive for a scheduled shiftHabitual lateness and poor timekeeping Inappropriate dressExcessive talking and socializingUnderperformanceNo longer fit enoughLack of personal hygiene
Things you can’t ignore
Meet in a private settingSpeak calmlyRemember it’s about the work, it’s not
personalBe very clear about your expectationsFollow up and follow through
Act quickly and be consistent
A sudden illness or injuryA family crisis or emergency Involvement in a traffic accidentBeing the victim of a crime
Good reasons for being absent
Have the evidence to handAsk them if they know why you are meeting Show them the list of late arrivalsPoint out that this behavior is unfair to
othersFind a solutionFill out a conduct agreement
Tackling the poor timekeeper
Supervisor name………………………… Employee name…………………………. Date…………….. Cause of concern……………………….. Action employee will take……………... How improvement will be monitored... ……………………………………………….. Date of next meeting……………………. Outcome………………………………….... Further action (if required)……………...
What’s a Conduct Agreement?
Clothing that shows cleavage of any kindAnything that reveals a bare midsectionGarments with offensive wordingShorts (If they are prohibited)Dirty or torn clothingFlimsy footwear
What Not to Wear
It distracts other workers It will be noticed by other departmentsReflects poorly on your employee and on
you It can also make the whole library look bad
What’s wrong with talking?
Leave them a long list of assignments Insist that breaks are staggeredDrop in unexpectedlyHave another member of staff check on
them
Curbing Your Evening Crew
Show them, rather than tell themWork alongside them for a whilePair them with a more experienced shelverSet goals for each shift
Underperformance by a newer employee
Tell them you are glad they are on your team
Say you have noticed a falling off and you are concerned
Be sympathetic and direct them to any services your library might offer
Ask if they feel able to get back to their usual high standard
Underperformance by an established shelver
Speak to them in privateSay how much you value themExpress your concerns about their welfareAsk what you can do to helpSay that everyone will understand if they
want to take things easierGive them a nice send off
Is the job getting to be too much?
Move them to tasks that can be done sitting down
Ask them to bring proof of fitness to work from their doctor
Point out that they will make a great volunteer
Not willing to give up yet?
Speak to the person in a private settingExplain that other staff members have
noticed their strong body odor If you have noticed it as well, say soPoint out how uncomfortable the situation is
for co-workers and patrons Ask them if they will have any trouble
eliminating the problemListen sympathetically but be firm
When it gets very personal
Hear them outGive no details without your employee’s
permissionTell them you have followed procedure and
have documentation to back up your actions
Assure them that you are treating their child the same as any other employee
Say that you and their child have already dealt with the matter and will continue to work together
What to do about parents
You must do it in a private settingHave another member of staff with youHave all your documentation to handGo over what has led to this clearly and
calmlyTell them that because of their actions you
can no longer employ themEscort them from the buildingDon’t discuss it with your other employees
Sometimes you have to fire them
Pay attention to your staff and they will pay attention to you
A Final Thought
Patricia TunstallIndian Trails Public Library355 Schoenbeck RoadWheeling IL 60090
ptunstall@indiantrailslibrary.org
Contact Information