How do you handle a two faced employee?

@thedaddym (1731)
United States
May 23, 2012 10:36am CST
I have a guy who works for me who always seems to be doing and saying the right thing. I have been told by another employee repeatedly who I have known since I was a kid and is like a brother to me that this guy is two faced and that he acts totally different behind my back and is disrespectful to others. Other people are beginning to tell me the same thing. How do I handle this situation. I have never myself heard him being negative or disprectful, but it seems that he is. My wife said I should try to listen to him when he does not know I am around to see if I can catch him in the act. What do you think?
1 person likes this
11 responses
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
24 May 12
You really can only believe what you can see with your own two eyes in the end. Granted, if this person is really someone who is deceptive to such an extent, eventually evidence would rather be something that may present itself in due time. Of course in the world of business, saying the right things is just half of the measure of success. Of course, I would be on my guard, but until this person does something that call his ability into question, then you just never know with everything. People will always act like this however, that is just a part of life. Saying the right things but how they act is another manner. It is sad when there are a lot of people who wear masks of deception but that's how you get ahead.
• Philippines
24 May 12
Try to get the evidence and fire him. He would just cause bad luck in your business. Friends or not it is all business dear.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
23 May 12
I am not a big fan of listening to hear say, yet when more than a couple of people are telling you the same thing there is likely something to the accusations especially when one of the people is a trusted source, still you need to find out with your own ears what this guy is doing before you can confront him. I think you need to try and listen in when he does not know you are listening, that is the only way to discover the truth, the you can decide how to act accordingly once you have heard it. If you spend a significant time listening and you never hear this bad attitude then just let it go.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
24 May 12
Well, in my opinion, as long as he is a good employee to you, then there's no need to listen to what other people would say. However, be on guard and try to catch him , if he is really as others have been telling you.
• China
24 May 12
maybe what you had heard was just gossip, so you'd better to observe him. if you don't have enough proofs, please don't judge him as what the others said. trust yourself.
• Philippines
23 May 12
If you heard others saying about negative things against another employee, it's something to dig deeper into. There are two sides of the situation. It might be good to personally conduct some investigation and surveillance against the person they said is disrespectful. It is not good to base our conclusions on hear-says only. As an employer, you want to make a wise decision on the matter. Getting enough information or evidence would warrant a future decision for the good of your company, yourself, and the other person involved. That's just my suggestion. The final decision is yours to make. Have a great and wonderful day ahead.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
23 May 12
good day thedaddym, i certainly believed that there are persons who can be two-faced to others but not to you. wherein, they tend to give a different impression to other people. as they have their own reason why they are doing this. however, in your situation, whatever the reason behind of that person you are talking about, it is better be careful. as you will never know what is his plan why plays that kind of attitude.
• India
23 May 12
sometimes, you just need to patient enough for people to show their true colors. evidently, no one can carry two faces for long. its like living two lives together which is not possible. Use your judgment. listen to everybody but trust your instincts. seems you are the boss so the decision is yours to choose between right and wrong. truth shall always prevail be what the situation :)
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
23 May 12
Well i strongly feel that as long as a two faced person is faithful and loyal to the work given by us, we should not react violently. But if practically realize about his two-facedness then we should keep a strict watch on him and keep track of all his works.. and then only we can handle him properly
@amoran3 (32)
• Canada
23 May 12
My fiancee deals with the same thing. Your best option is to ignore it and just always be truthful. Therefore, you can never be accused of anything that you haven't done. In my case, I tend to keep to myself at work so I don't have to do deal with this nonsense.
@gelomon (286)
• Philippines
23 May 12
good day, for me You don't need to listen to him when he doesnt know. As you said, he is like a brother to you, and for whatever reason why he is like that, you are the one who can talk to him directly so you will not make any misunderstandings between the two of you. Talking to him directly and say what you want to clarify in a good way. There's no need to hide and listen. Go and talk to him directly..