Every manager tries to have the right number of people in his team with regard to the volume of work they have to carry out together. However, when the demands on his team are growing, the manager starts to wonder whether he can handle all the work with his existing team, or whether it is necessary to hire more people. The answer to this question is not simple. Understaffed teams, however, have certain things in common. These features were summarized by Robert Hosking, executive director of the British staffing agency OfficeTeam, on talentmgt.com. When should you start hiring?
1. Your best people do not give their best performance any longer
In each team, there are some people who always do more than is asked of them. If, however, your best people start missing deadlines, it is a serious warning sign. How about those whose performance is lower, even under normal conditions?
2. Fear of the company's growth
Your company is growing, new offices are being opened, but your employees are not happy about it. You can see fear and questions about how to handle the growth instead. If this is the case, it is definitely advisable to start recruiting new people.
3. Managers do not support changes
You have enough money for new marketing strategies, new technology or other changes that can move your company forward. However, managers across the company do not want to run with any changes because they know they do not have enough people.
4. Managers are doing the work of their subordinates
Instead of solving management issues, managers are handling phone calls, copying documents and helping their people finish reports. When just one team member falls ill, his work must be performed by the manager.
5. Everybody works overtime
We are not talking about occasional overtime during an important season or project. However, if both your employees and their superiors routinely work on evenings and weekends, it is wrong.
6. More complaints
Managers listen to complaints about the company's operation from employees as well as clients. When the company is losing business opportunities because it cannot handle all the demands it is particularly worrying.
7. More mistakes occur
Employees try to handle as many activities as quickly as possible. The result is, of course, an increase in mistakes and less attention to detail. Top management should trust managers when they say their people cannot keep up and are making more and more mistakes.
8. Employees are ill more often
Stress and exhaustion begin to take its toll. Employees become more susceptible to illnesses or injuries. If your people are on sick leave and you want them to work anyway because nobody else will do their work, you really need to hire more people.
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