Which circumstance most strongly indicates to a supervisor the need for a personal conference with an individual under supervision?

• A. Seem sufficiently conscientious about the details of work, but rarely volunteer to do extra work
• B. Performs his duties competently but seems aloof and preoccupied
• C. Requests time off for the second time in one month to attend personal business
• D. Asks questions frequently about minor details of procedure

Answer: (B)

When a supervisor notices an employee who is capable but seems aloof and preoccupied, it signals a potential shift in engagement or morale that could impact performance. A private conference is the right response because it creates a chance to address what’s happening directly, listen to the employee’s perspective, and determine any underlying issues—personal, workload-related, or motivational. The goal is to re-establish connection, clarify expectations, and offer support or adjustments before problems grow, while keeping the discussion respectful and focused on work impact.

The other scenarios don’t point as strongly to a need for a personal, developmental talk: volunteering for extra work is more about initiative; needing time off may require attendance management or policy review; asking about minor procedure details suggests a training or clarification issue rather than a morale or engagement concern.