b'Tips for Handling a Toxic EmployeeSafety Before the First StepSo, youve taken your first important step. You have chosen the ladder that is right for you and the job(s) you will be doing, whether at home or on a work site. But not so fast. Before even stepping foot on that ladder for the first time, there are some basic safety tips that must be followed. First of all, even a new ladder can potentially be damaged or otherwise compromised. Dave Francis, Nation-al Safety Director for Utah-based Little Giant Ladder Sys-tems, LLC, speaks from 30-plus years of industry experi-ence. A damaged ladder? We dont know what thats going to hold, he remarked. So, it comes down to the decisions Leaders sometimes must navigate challenging rela- that the user makes on whether or not theyre going to in-tionships with the people they manage. And a trouble- spect the ladder to see if its in good condition before they some employee can negatively affect the team anduse it. If youve picked the right ladder for the job, then decrease morale.dont misuse it by standing higher than you should, over-reaching while on the ladder, and so forth. Fast Company shares the following tips for handlingBut most new ladders are in prime condition. Even a toxic employee.so, safety must still come first. Chad Lingerfelt, National Safety Training Manager for WernerCo, advised, From a 1.Check your assumptions. Identifying behaviorsfirst-time perspective, you need to know how to inspect the that actually are toxic is crucial. Once you labelladder and make sure it is good to go from a safety stand-point. We have an inspection sheet you can download on someone as toxic, it can affect the way you lookour WernerCo.com website that will walk you through step at everything they do. For example, if the individ- by step by step. Anyone can do it. Just last week, I taught a ual challenges someone because he or she thinksclass of sixth-graders at my church [about ladder safety] and something is important, it may be viewed as toxic,used the document as a guide. while someone without that label would not beHe continued, Number two, make sure you are viewed the same way for the same action. Re- aware of the general area youre in. Be sure theres not a member, sometimes an employee who seems dif- forklift or something that will be coming around the corner ficult may have personal issues affecting his orand knocking you over. Make sure you are in a safe envi-her behavior at work. It is best to start with a one- ronment before you start. After you do that, set the ladder on-one conversation to discuss the employeesup correctly, either on a level surface or having some type behavior.of levelers. Michael Van Bree, Director of Product Safety and 2.Listen effectively. In your one-on-one with theEngineering at Louisville Ladder, concurred. And he has employee, you want to share your observationssome counsel of his own. The key thing is inspection, he and discuss how to proceed in a constructive way.said. Youll want to make sure whatever ladder youve If the employee gets defensive or frustrated, letchosen, whatever size it is, and material its made out of, them know youre listening and acknowledgeyou must inspect that ladder before the first use and before their frustration. For example, you could say, Ieach use. Often times, somebody will set up a ladder that get the sense this is frustrating for you to talkhas not been inspected. If thats the case, you can have an about.unexpected result. The second step is properly setting the 3.Consider the team. It is important to set clearladder up. Take for example a self-supporting step ladder. boundaries and expectations for the employeesThe key point with that type would be making sure you are behavior moving forward, especially if he or sheon a firm, level surface and the ladder is fully opened, [and] spreaders are secured and locked. Most significantly, are all does not show signs of changing after your initialfour feet supported on the ground? conversation. If an employee is negatively affect- Francis summed it up best: Follow the simple rules ing an entire team or company, you may need toon your ladder. Nothing will stop you from misusing a lad-make a tough decision to protect your employees.der except the label and your own common sense. By Teddy Durgin 23'