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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Personal effectiveness

A manager notices that an employee who was previously reliable is now often late, makes frequent errors and appears withdrawn. Which action is the most appropriate first step for the manager?

The manager should first hold a private, supportive conversation to understand the cause and offer help. The behaviour changes suggest possible stress, so early support is more effective than discipline, silent reallocation of work or waiting until the annual appraisal.

  1. AIssue a formal disciplinary warning for lateness
  2. BHold a private, supportive conversation to explore the causes and offer helpCorrect
  3. CReassign the employee's work to others without discussion
  4. DWait until the annual appraisal to raise the matter

Explanation

These signs may indicate stress, so the best first step is a private, supportive discussion to understand causes and offer help such as adjusted workload or counselling. Immediate discipline could worsen the problem. Removing work without discussion or waiting for the appraisal delays support and may let the situation worsen.

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