Recruiting, Selecting, and Retaining Direct Service Workers to Provide Self-Directed HCBS

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2. Read

In this lesson you learned:

• How to address poor performance
• The importance of recording performance problems
• The types of DSW actions that should result in immediate firing
• Steps to take when ending someone’s employment
• The importance of getting assistance with firing a DSW if you have safety concerns

3. Scenario

Roberta's DSW Aisha continues to come to work late.  Roberta has talked to Aisha several times about her expectation that she be on time.  Roberta has tried to be flexible about the situation, but she has missed some appointments because Aisha didn't come on time.  Roberta doesn't feel like the situation has improved at all.  Roberta asks her daughter for advice about what she should do.   What would you tell Roberta?

It's time to let Aisha go.

Roberta and her daughter decide that Roberta's needs are not being met.  She missed some important appointments.  Roberta's daughter reminds Roberta about the chances she has given Aisha to correct the situation.  Roberta arranges a time to meet with Aisha when her daughter can be present to support her.  Roberta and her daughter meet with Aisha and go over all of the times that she has been late and what that has meant for Roberta.  They tell Aisha that she will no longer be providing supports for Roberta.  Aisha is surprised and angry that she has been fired.  She didn't expect this.  She thought she was doing a good job for Roberta.  After Aisha leaves, Roberta thinks that the situation may have gone better if she had been clearer with Aisha about what would happen if she continued to be late a lot sooner.

It's better to give Aisha a formal warning.

Roberta and her daughter decide that Roberta's needs are not being met.  She missed some important appointments.  Roberta's daughter reminds Roberta about the chances she has given Aisha to correct the situation.  She even adjusted her schedule to help with her transportation problems.  Roberta is concerned about the challenges of finding a new DSW, and she likes working with Aisha even though she is late.  After talking to her daughter, Roberta decides that she has never had a serious conversation with Aisha to warn her that she could lose her job if she keeps coming late.  Roberta and her daughter meet with Aisha.  They list all of the times that Aisha has been late and the problems that being late causes for Roberta. Roberta tells Aisha that if she is late again at all in the next three months, she will lose her job.  Aisha is upset, but she promises she will try harder to be on time.  Roberta is glad her daughter was there to support her.  It was a difficult conversation!