Which action is recommended when someone makes excuses for not completing their work?

• A. MAKE A RECORD OF THEIR WORK QUALITY OR TARDINESS ON YOUR MEETING DOCUMENTATION
• B. ACCEPT EFFORT, NOT EXCUSES AND INSTRUCT THE PERSON TO REDO THE ASSIGNMENT
• C. IF PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED WITHIN 48 HR, GET MIKE INVOLVED
• D. WAIT TO CONFRONT THE PROBLEM IN HOPES THAT DOING SO MAY AVOID CONFLICT

Answer: (B)

When someone makes excuses for unfinished work, the goal is to reinforce accountability while keeping the response constructive. Accepting effort and not excuses says that standards matter and the focus is on the work, not on personal complaints. By instructing the person to redo the assignment, you establish a clear next step, a specific expectation, and an opportunity to demonstrate improvement. This approach also opens a chance to discuss any obstacles and offer support if needed, without letting excuses become a pattern.

Keeping track with documentation can be useful later for performance records, but it doesn’t solve the immediate issue and can feel punitive if used before the behavior is addressed. Waiting to confront to avoid conflict is passive and allows problems to linger, undermining reliability. Involving a specific person without a standard process can escalate unnecessary conflict or bypass consistent practices.