hiring/firing/discipline

Evaluations
What is the process of evaluating employees?
I sit down with my employees monthly for reviews.  At this point I state anything I have noticed, both good and bad, and then open up the floor for the employee to express their feelings, problems or concerns.

What rating system do you use to rate employees?
I rate them on their skill for their particular job, their ability work well with others, efficiency, openness to change, and their overall contributions to the company.

How often do you rate employees?

I do not formally rate my employees but it is part of their overall review.

What are the challenges involved with evaluations?
the toughest part if telling an employee what areas they need improvement in. 

Do you believe in rating your employees low in order to give them areas to improve on?
I think that it is important to give employees areas that they can improve on so they can grow, but it is equally important to acknowledge what they are doing right.

Hiring/Firing/Discipline 
What qualities do you look for in potential employees?

-work ethic, personable, intelligent, job skill
What are red flags in an interview?

- lack of punctuality, no confidence, lack of personality, lack of professionalism
What are the three most common interview questions you ask?

- give me and example of a problem situation and your solution, what are your strongest qualities and why? What makes you stand out from everyone else that applied?
What is your interview process?

Review resume, group interview, single interview, then 2 week working interview.
What is your plan of action for discipline?

Warning, write up, probation, termination
What kind of problems have you encountered that have led to disciplinary action?

Tardiness, insubordination, no shows
How do you deal with morale and gossip around disciplinary action?

I make an effort to have an open door policy,  If the employees have a problem with my decision I am more then welcome to sit down and discuss it with them, and am open to suggestions with how we can make it better

Frequency of hiring/firing/discipline?

As needed.
How do you protect yourselves legally when you have to fire someone?

Everything is documented throughout the disciplinary action, both I an the employee sign it.

How do you make your decision to fire someone?

I meet with the other supervisors and we discuss the employees actions and weather they warrant termination.

How do you deal with threats from disgruntled/former employees?

I have not experienced any threats…yet.

I interviewed brother who is a general manager of a Hampton Inn.  I was surprised to find out that if I was in his position as GM I would likely do things in the same manner as he does.  His evaluations and disciples are very fair, and open.  He does not beat around the bush with with employees, they have a mutual respect for each other, and they feel like he is very approachable.