training

Difficult Employees: interview training for managers

Optimally prepare and confidently conduct conflict discussions

This training is held in German.
When dealing with Employees , as a professional manager you are the first person to take action in the event of difficulties with the employee - often before the HR department gets involved. As a manager, you also have a mental duty of care for your employees. In order to fulfill this duty and find suitable solutions in the event of a conflict, you need to be empathetic yet clear in your approach. To do this, you need basic knowledge of employment law, which is taught and deepened in the training . Above all, however, it is about understanding the gradation of necessary management measures, which are presented and practiced in the training . This creates a practical communication model that can be used to work convincingly and effectively in cases of tension and conflict.

Contents

Appropriate preparation for problem solving

  • What exactly are the problems with the: employee?
  • How do I identify real deficits and how do I plan bridging options?
  • Which tasks do I do myself and which are better handled by a qualified HR representative?

Communication

  • Permissible approach and questioning of:frequently ill or long-term sick employee.
  • Clarification of possible triggering factors.
  • Form of appointments at the end of the interview.
  • The active participation of line managers in company integration management (BEM) or in preliminary discussions due to illness.
  • Addressing Employees in the event of performance-related deficiencies.
  • Sensible planning of training/bridging measures.
  • Orientation, motivation and critique meetings.
  • Openness and supportive impulses in the context of annual discussions with the: employee.

The critique interview

  • Good preparation as a basis: documentation of the poor performance, preliminary negotiations and provisional agreements with the employee.
  • Structure of the critique meeting: Defining target corridors, rules for conducting the discussion, recording important facts and results - avoiding ambiguity.
  • Avoidance of typical mistakes such as prolonged passivity, avoidance of discussions, downplaying intolerable behavior, lack of a clear line, etc.
  • The crucial importance of the catalog of measures.

Strategies to retain strong Employees

  • Lead talks.
  • Maintaining contact with Employees who are sent to other locations or abroad.

 

Workshop for practical rehearsal of typical conflict discussions

  • Employees who have changed their performance, low performers, long-term or frequently short-term sick employees, those partially unable to work, workaholics, addicts.

Learning environment

Once you have registered, you will find useful information, downloads and extra services relating to this training course in your online learning environment.

Your benefit

Dr. Wetzling, publisher of the reference book "Umgang mit Low Performern" (Beck Verlag), provides you with practical knowledge on how to master difficult conversations with employees in the best possible way.

  • After this training you will be sensitized for dealing with difficult Employees, but also with those you would like to keep.
  • You will have worked through and practiced relevant interview situations in various personnel-critical constellations so that you are better prepared for practical situations.
  • You will gain valuable insights into psychological patterns and learn how to see through them and break through them if necessary.
  • You can work in suitable cooperation with the HR department as you ensure optimal preparation. HR will later become a genuine business partner for difficult personnel situations. However, you are the HR manager.

Methods

In-person events

Day 1: Lecture, presentation, discussion

Day 2: Workshop, acting out and rehearsing typical conversation situations

Live online events

Day 1: Lecture, presentation, discussion

Day 2: Workshop, acting out and rehearsing typical conversation situations

Recommended for

Managers in line functions and managers with qualified leadership responsibility.

Open Badges - Show what you can do digitally too.

Open Badges are recognized, digital certificates of participation. These verifiable credentials are the current standard for integration in career networks such as LinkedIn.

With them, you digitally demonstrate the competences you possess. After successful completion, you will receive an Open Badge from us.

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Seminar evaluation for "Difficult Employees: conversation training for managers"

4.5 from 5
with 8 ratings
training content:
4.3
Content comprehensibility:
4.7
Practical relevance:
4.2
Trainer expertise:
4.8
Participant orientation:
4.3
Method variety:
4.3
On-site training together
Booking number
30551
€ 1.520,- plus VAT
2 days
in 2 locations
2 Events
German
In-person trainings
Joint online training
Booking number
34939
€ 1.520,- plus VAT
2 days
Online
0 Events
German
Live online events
Train several employees internally
Pricing upon request
  • Customized training courses according to your needs
  • Directly at your premises or online
  • Cost advantage from 5 participants
  • We contact you within 24 hours (Mon-Fri)
2 days
In-person or Online

Start dates and details

  Select time period
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15.09.2025
Cologne/Lower Kassel
Booking number: 30551
€ 1.520,- plus VAT.
€ 1,808.80 incl. VAT.
Venue
Hotel Clostermanns Hof
Hotel Clostermanns Hof
Heerstraße 2A, 53859 Cologne/Niederkassel
Room rate: € 125,13 plus VAT.
Arrival via Deutsche Bahn
Train tickets to this event starting at € 51,90.
Days & Times
2 days

Monday, 15.09.2025

09:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday, 16.09.2025

08:00 am - 4:00 pm

Fee includes
The participation fee includes
  • one joint lunch per full seminar day,
  • Catering during breaks and
  • extensive working documents.
The participant will settle the hotel accommodation costs directly with the hotel. You will find a reservation form for hotel bookings in your learning environment.
19.01.2026
Berlin
Booking number: 30551
€ 1.520,- plus VAT.
€ 1,808.80 incl. VAT.
Venue
Seminaris CampusHotel
Seminaris CampusHotel
Takustraße 39, 14195 Berlin
Arrival via Deutsche Bahn
Train tickets to this event starting at € 51,90.
Days & Times
2 days

Monday, 19.01.2026

09:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday, 20.01.2026

08:00 am - 4:00 pm

Fee includes
The participation fee includes
  • one joint lunch per full seminar day,
  • Catering during breaks and
  • extensive working documents.
The participant will settle the hotel accommodation costs directly with the hotel. You will find a reservation form for hotel bookings in your learning environment.
Sufficient places are still free.
Don't wait too long to book.
Fully booked.
The next booking ensures this course will take place
Booking number: 30551
€ 1.520,- plus VAT.
€ 1,808.80 incl. VAT.
Details
2 days
Fee includes
The participation fee includes
  • one joint lunch per full seminar day,
  • Catering during breaks and
  • extensive working documents.
The participant will settle the hotel accommodation costs directly with the hotel. You will find a reservation form for hotel bookings in your learning environment.
Booking number: 34939
€ 1.520,- plus VAT.
€ 1,808.80 incl. VAT.
Details
2 days
Book later
You are welcome to make a non-binding advance reservation.
No suitable date?
You are welcome to be notified by e-mail as soon as new dates are released.
Also bookable as in-house training
demand-oriented adaptations possible
on-site or live online for multiple employees
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