This method of office training is focused on preventing accidents instead of waiting for accidents to happen. The goal is to make it easy for the new employee to do the right thing in the first place. Training in this way is faster and more effective than punishing the employee for mistakes. YOU, his or her manager play the most important part in the success or failure of this method, you must be patient, determined and reliable for it to work. If you already have an employee with problems, you can use this method to start fresh just as you would with a new employee.

This method requires the use of a cubicle or at least, a small, confined area for the employee to stay in when he can’t be supervised. A cubicle isn’t cruel! It’s your employee’s own private room where he or she can work and stay safe, secure and out of trouble. Your new employee needs to be protected from hurting himself and destroying your office. A cubicle will make the job so much easier!

The first few weeks of your new employee are some of the hardest and most important. Spending extra time and effort now will pay off in a big way. Don’t blame the employee if you’re lazy!

New employees, have limited work control and job reflexes. They usually don’t know where they’re going to go until the moment they do! It’s not realistic to expect them to tell you ahead of time. If you’re observant, you’ll see that a new employee will suddenly circle about while looking in some cabinets or browsing documents. The browsing is instinct, he or she’s looking for a project that’s already been done. If he can’t find one, he’ll start one! By preventing accidents in the office, you’ll teach him that the only appropriate projects are done outside of the cubicle!

Also in the cubicle should be a computer (any old windows machine will do, you can’t expect your new employee to do any serious work for the first 2-3 months) , an uncomfortable chair (to prevent him or her from falling a sleep) and some empty document folders. Put the cubicle where he or she isn’t shut away from the rest of the office. If you’re using a confined area instead, a low partition is preferable to closing the door and isolating your new employee.

Your employee might not like the cubicle at first. Don’t give in to his or her complaining or tantrums! If you’re sure she or he isn’t hungry or has to go to the toilet, ignore the yowling. If he or she gets really obnoxious, reach inside the cubicle, give him or her another project and say WORK in a deep, stern voice. Eventually they’ll settle down and work which is what cubicles are for!