Give Advice to Subordinates
Letter #1
Thanks for bringing the issue of employees playing games on work computers to my attention. While I understand waiting for information can be frustrating, maintaining productivity is crucial. Let's explore solutions together. Perhaps creating a designated break area with approved games would address the desire for a brief mental break. We can also discuss strategies to improve information retrieval speed. Feel free to share your thoughts - open communication is key to a successful team environment.
Letter #2
Our dress code promotes professionalism while ensuring comfort. For men, dress shirts, slacks, and comfortable dress shoes are ideal. Women can choose skirts, dresses, or slacks with blouses or sweaters. Casual attire like jeans or sneakers is more appropriate for company outings. If you have questions about specific items, please don't hesitate to ask.
Letter #3
Thanks for letting me know about recent tardiness concerns. Traffic can be unpredictable, but punctuality is essential for a smooth workflow. Would staggered start times or carpooling options be helpful? We can brainstorm solutions together during our next staff meeting. Your suggestions are valued - let's work as a team to overcome this challenge.
Letter #4
I appreciate you seeking guidance on the conflict with John Doe. Personality differences can create tension. I understand you've already tried to address it directly. Would you both be open to a mediated discussion to clear the air and find common ground? Prioritizing open communication fosters a more positive work environment. Feel free to share your thoughts on how to proceed.
Letter #5
Thank you for your honesty regarding personal phone calls during work hours. While we trust employee judgment, maintaining focus on work tasks is vital. Let's explore solutions. Perhaps designated break times for non-work calls would be helpful. Open communication is key. Feel free to discuss this further with me if you have any questions.
Letter #6
The situation with John Doe is certainly challenging. Let's explore solutions that minimize confrontation. Perhaps addressing the issue with the entire team, without naming individuals, could be a first step. If necessary, a private conversation with John Doe reminding him of expectations might follow. Our goal is a respectful and productive work environment. I'm confident you can handle this with tact and professionalism. Please keep me updated on any developments.
How to Write this Advice Letter: Expert Tips and Guidelines
Keep your tone helpful and be careful of appearing judgmental. If the topic is a sensitive one, consider reordering your approach. For example, stating the problem first may put an employee on the defensive. If this is the case, outline the evidence and your advice before pointing out the problem. Shift the focus from reprimand to collaboration and problem-solving. Maintain a professional yet supportive tone that fosters trust and open communication. Encourage employee feedback and participation in finding solutions. Avoid singling out individuals and offered flexible alternatives where appropriate. Consider adding a disclaimer clarifying these are general suggestions and complex situations might require formal HR intervention.
Steps
- Explain why you are writing and summarize the problem or situation.
- Give your advice, being as specific as possible.
- If appropriate, include evidence to convince the reader of your opinion.
- Make it easy for the reader to respond to your advice.
Write Your advice in Minutes: Easy Step-by-Step Guide with Sample Sentences and Phrases
1 Explain why you are writing and summarize the problem or situation.
Sample Sentences for Step 1
- You have been a great asset to the company. You are one of our most efficient and productive employees. But I am concerned about some complaints we have received recently. Some customers have described you as rude or annoyed when you respond to their questions.
- I'm flattered that you asked for my opinion. I faced a similar problem with management in my department a few years ago and that experience taught me to approach my manager differently.
- This is a good time to reemphasize the importance of looking professional on the job. It is amazing how much of an impact something as small as a tie can make on a prospective client.
- Although the situation seems to be improving, we continue to have friction between the editors and the typesetters. The conflicts seem to result from poor communication between the two groups.
- We recognize that sometimes a worker has a good reason for being late, but recently we have noticed an increase in tardiness in several departments.
Key Phrases for Step 1
- a trend towards
- affect all of us periodically
- appreciate your involvement in
- asked for my opinion about
- can have a considerable impact on
- continue to have difficulties with
- don't always realize
- faced a similar problem
- have recently received complaints about
- have seen some improvement, but
- have recently noticed
- have given careful consideration to
- let you know that
- may seem a small matter
- no one objects to an occasional
- one of our most valuable
- problem appears to be
- seem to be the result of
- something as small as
- the concerns you raised
- this is a good time to
2 Give your advice, being as specific as possible.
Sample Sentences for Step 2
- I suggest you make a special effort to show courtesy to all our customers.
- You may want to approach him with both of these options and allow him to choose one after you have explained the implications of each.
- It is in your best interest to look over your benefits package again. You may have overlooked some benefits to which you are entitled.
- I don't know enough to make a fair judgment about your division; however, from what you have told me, it would seem that your first reaction is right. As much as we dislike taking such action, staff reduction may be the only long-term solution.
- While the informal atmosphere in the office defines what is acceptable here, casual dress outside the office may be offensive to a potential client. I would advise you to avoid denim, especially old jeans, and wear an ironed shirt and tie.
- I suggest each of you make a special effort to notify the others of schedules and deadlines.
Key Phrases for Step 2
- could give a better impression
- from what you have told me
- is important for you to
- it is difficult to
- it would seem that
- keep a lookout for
- make some changes in
- make an extra effort to
- make the effort to
- make a special effort to
- make allowances for
- may want to approach
- may have overlooked
- may be more acceptable
- may be offensive to
- may be the only solution
- might want to consider
- personally know that
- recommend that you
- send a more positive message
- show substantial improvement in
- something as simple as
- suggest that each of you
- suggest that you
- take a minute to
- to clarify the situation
- to make a fair judgment
- watch out for
- would be in your best interests to
3 If appropriate, include evidence to convince the reader of your opinion.
Sample Sentences for Step 3
- Clients easily approach a representative who has a clean, crisp appearance, and people generally are more likely to trust someone who takes care of his or her appearance.
- In addition to speeding up the publication process, knowing schedules and deadlines would prevent many of the problems you are experiencing now. This is a stressful job and any change that produces a smoother process helps a great deal.
- From our experience, we have seen how overall performance and efficiency are significantly improved when employees take their jobs seriously enough to get to work on time.
- When we reduced tardiness in my department, individual employee output increased significantly.
Key Phrases for Step 3
- all the data indicate that
- experience shows that
- difficult for you at first, but
- is frequently interpreted as
- from my own experience
- have learned that
- helps a great deal
- ideas are right in line with
- will improve services to
- in my own department
- led to significant increases in
- can make a big difference to
- makes life easier
- has done wonders in the past
- overall performance and efficiency
- people tend to trust someone who
- was significantly lowered by
- should solve the problem
- someone pleasing in appearance
- sometimes it takes a little time
- speeding up the process
- the problem can be eliminated
- these improvements will ensure
- this would prevent
- will pay off in the long run
4 Make it easy for the reader to respond to your advice.
Sample Sentences for Step 4
- If you have any questions about your benefits package, contact John Doe, the director of personnel services. You can mail him your concerns or meet with him in person, if you prefer. You can make an appointment with his secretary, Ms. Johnson, at 555-5555, ext. 123.
- If you'd like to discuss this further before making a final decision, let's do it over lunch some time this week. I'm happy to be of help. Call me (555-5555) and we'll set a time.
- If you feel that your problems extend beyond this, such as to personality conflicts, let me know. I want to help in any way I can.
- I hope you find my experience useful. Feel free to give me a call if you would like to discuss the matter further.
- If you have any other concerns that I can help with, let me know.
Key Phrases for Step 4
- any questions or concerns
- before making a final decision
- call me at
- don't hesitate to
- e-mail address is
- feel free to
- give me a call
- happy to meet with
- help in any way we can
- if you have
- if there is a problem
- if there's anything I need to know
- if you would prefer
- if you feel that
- if you would like
- let me know
- make an appointment with
- please contact
- to discuss the matter further
- to discuss this further
- will be happy to be
- work it out together
