Task summary

This role-play requires you to assume the role of the Office Manager at Accountancy Victoria and conduct a meeting with the Administration Assistant (role-played by your assessor). The purpose of the meeting is to a difficult workplace issue.

 Required

• Computer and Microsoft Office
• Access to the internet for research
• Fair work Managing underperformance guide
• 1)    https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/policies-and-guides/best-practice-guides/managing-underperformance

• Space for a meeting

Instructions:

It is six months later at Accountancy Victoria. The new Administration Assistant, Beth, has been employed and has been in the position for 2 months. Beth is from Somalia but she has been in the country for 1 year and speaks good English.

The Officer Manager, Sarah, asks to see you to discuss the Administration Assistant’s performance. She mentions that the Beth has not been completing her tasks on time or to the standard she expects. She refers to a few examples, including stationary not been ordered on time, agendas for meetings not sent out in the correct format or to the required timelines and providing clients with incorrect information.

Now complete the following activities:

1. Prepare for meeting to resolve workplace difficulties

Before you commence this assessment, read the following guide about managing underperformance. You will be assessed on your demonstration of the skill referred to under key points for employers to remember.

https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/policies-and-guides/best-practice-guides/managing-underperformance

Send an email to your assessor (as though they are Beth) requesting her to attend a meeting with you to discuss her work.  Include a date and time for the meeting.

2. Conduct meeting to resolve workplace difficulties

Conduct the meeting with Beth (with your assessor playing the role of Beth), explaining to her what the problem is, why it is a problem, how it impacts on the workplace, and why there is a concern.

At the meeting you must:

• Explain the purpose of the meeting
• Explain to Beth what the problem is
• Explain how this behaviour impacts on the workplace and why it is a concern. Ensure that you focus on the issue, not the person.
• Demonstrate your interpersonal and communication skills by:
• Keeping your communication clear and simple
• Listening to Beth and confirming and clarifying information shared
• Asking questions to confirm information
• Emphasizing Beth’s strengths as per the scenario information
• Discuss and agree on a solution

3. Follow up meeting

Send a follow up email to Beth within 1 day of the meeting, summarizing the meeting and the solution agreed to.