I wonder if supervisors in long-term care facilities realize that their staff members often only live up to the “boss’s” expectations. If we expect mediocrity, then that is what we will get.

I have been working with several facilities to decrease overtime, tardiness and call-ins. I am shocked that in fewer than two weeks, one facility has cut their tardiness and absences to almost zero. It’s amazing that when we expect our staff to actually show up and be on time, they will do it—IF we communicate our expectations to them and hold them accountable!

Additionally, the overall morale is improved by leaps and bounds. Staff really is happier when everyone shows up on time to not make shift change a nightmare.

Take a look at the morale in your facility and then print your time sheets and see if there are areas where your staff needs to improve. Employees really need boundaries and someone to care enough to punish them when an expectation is not met—or to praise them when they are. Author Frieda Stewart, RN, is the Director of Nursing at Corn Heritage Village in Corn, Oklahoma; the owner and CEO of VitalAttitudes, LLC; and a public speaker who travels all across the United States.