Automotive Personnel chief executive officer Don Jasensky offered three options when dealership and auto finance company management teams are faced with the decision of making manpower changes based on performance.

Jasensky leveraged his nearly 30 years of experience, acknowledging that, “Every leader has to make decisions regarding underachieving employees.”

He continued in a company blog post, saying, “When a leader determines that an employee is incapable or unwilling to perform at the required level, it is time to make a change.  Once a decision is made to replace an employee the question becomes whom do we replace the employee with?”

When considering that question, Jasensky emphasized three options:

—Do not replace the employee and spread the work among existing staff.

—Promote a person to the position, and replace the junior position.

—Look outside the company for an experienced high achiever.

If the company decides that finding a replacement outside the current workforce is the best option, Jasensky articulated four points to keep the issue with the underperforming employee from snowballing into a larger problem that could derail the positive start to 2018 the store or institution might be enjoying.

Among those points, he noted:

—It is best to find the replacement prior to terminating the employee. You do not want a position to go unfilled for very long.

—It is important that you talk to the best people available. Jasensky recommended that companies not limit themselves to respondents to an advertisement. 

“The best people are seldom looking,” he said. “At any given time, only 5 percent to 10 percent of employees are actively looking for a new position. You will be competing both in and outside your industry for their attention.

—If you are not interviewing the best candidates in the marketplace, Jasensky believes the company will not be hiring the best candidate.

—Jasensky also emphasized that managers should keep the position situation confidential.

“Turmoil is created when an employee knows that he or is being replaced,” said Jasensky, who also is a board member of the National Automotive Finance Association.

More workforce recommendations and current industry job listings can be found by going to Automotive Personnel’s website.