06/20/2025

How to Manage a Disrespectful Employee

Every leader will encounter one at some point

HR Question: I have a member on my team who consistently exhibits disrespectful behavior toward me. They interrupt me in meetings, gossip about me and fail to follow my directives. How do I effectively manage a disrespectful employee?

HR Answer: Managing a high-performing, in-sync team at the best of times can be difficult – let alone if you have a subordinate who fails to respect you or who is trying to make waves in the team. If you are finding it difficult to manage a disrespectful employee, there are a few approaches you can take to try to resolve the situation for the better.

First, keep in mind – respect has to be earned. In a perfect world, respect would be earned based on job title alone, but that’s not always the case. If you’re coming into a new role, particularly if you’ve been promoted above others or are making major changes to the dynamic of the workplace, it’s almost a given that you’ll face some resistance.

Please select this link to read the complete article from OSAP member Clark Schaefer Strategic HR.