Criticising employees: don't treat your staff as a venting tool

Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Tan Hwee Hoon said: “Feedback is an essential component in the workplace, be it positive or negative. When criticising a staff, managers should be aware of how the feedback is being transmitted.” Prof Tan recommended that the manager should describe the situation, and then help the subordinate in question understand the impact of the action that he/she has performed, including impact on the work, on the people around him/her, for example. Managers should also guide subordinates and give them suggestions on how to better handle the situation. Prof Tan also commented that if the feedback is accurate, the subordinate should be receptive and take it constructively so as to learn from the situation. She said, “Over time, after the subordinate has built up the relationship with the manager, he/she will understand the managerial style of the manager and the managers' expectations. With the building of the relationship over time, trust develops and the subordinate will understand that the feedback given comes with good intentions.”