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