Warning Signs

Decline in Job Efficiency Decrease in overall work quality Errors in judgment Periods of confusion Lack of concentration Unrealistic excuses for lowered work quality Missed deadlines Increased carelessness/mistakes Excessive time completing tasks Difficulty handling complex tasks Loss of memory Inconsistent Work Patterns Alternate periods of high and low efficiency Decreased dependability Substandard work  Frequent requests for help with assignments Avoiding contact with supervisor or colleagues Absenteeism Repeated absenteeism (higher than average) Pattern of absenteeism around scheduled days off Excessive tardiness (Monday and Friday) or after days off Leaving work early Repeated absenteeism due to vaguely defined illnesses Improbable reasons for absenteeism Unauthorized leave Last minute request for leave Excessive use of sick leave On-the-Job Absenteeism Extended lunch breaks Physical illnesses developed  Unexplained disappearances  Excessive breaks, trips to bathroom Vacant expression

Attitude and Mood Dramatic mood shifts Tendency to isolate Irritability Secretive/suspicious Crying Inflexible Physical and Emotional Problems Change in physical/emotional condition  Marked nervousness  Excessive sweating Hand tremor Lack of attention to personal cleanliness or grooming Goes to work despite contraindication Excessive time spent making personal telephone calls at work Physically threatening Excessive talkativeness Grandiosity, exaggerated self-importance Impaired Interpersonal Relationships Frequent arguments  Excessive blaming of others Unwilling to cooperate or compromise   Over-reactions  Wide swings in mood from isolation to angry outbursts Complaints of irritability, physical roughness, verbal abuse Specific for Nurses and Pharmacists Medication errors Omitted, illogical, incomplete, or illegible charting Deteriorating handwriting or performance during shift  Errors in transcribing orders or taking verbal orders Overlooking signs of a patient's deteriorating condition Medication-Centered Problems Increased use of pain medications recorded Increase in wastage or breakage of psychoactive drugs Missing drugs or unaccounted doses Seeks out on-duty physicians for complaints of pain

If you are not sure how to respond to someone who demonstrates a pattern of workplace problems, we are here to help. Contact us at (metro Denver) 303-369-0039 or (toll-free) 866-369-0039.