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Last updated on Feb 6, 2025
  1. All
  2. HR Management
  3. Employee Relations

You need to give feedback to a sensitive employee. How do you do it without causing distress?

When giving feedback to a sensitive employee, it's crucial to balance honesty with empathy to avoid causing distress. Here's how you can do it effectively:

  • Choose the right time and place: Ensure privacy and a calm environment to make the conversation feel safe.

  • Be specific and constructive: Focus on specific behaviors and offer actionable suggestions for improvement.

  • Show empathy and support: Acknowledge their feelings and provide reassurance that your goal is to help them grow.

How do you approach giving feedback to sensitive employees? Share your strategies.

Employee Relations Employee Relations

Employee Relations

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Last updated on Feb 6, 2025
  1. All
  2. HR Management
  3. Employee Relations

You need to give feedback to a sensitive employee. How do you do it without causing distress?

When giving feedback to a sensitive employee, it's crucial to balance honesty with empathy to avoid causing distress. Here's how you can do it effectively:

  • Choose the right time and place: Ensure privacy and a calm environment to make the conversation feel safe.

  • Be specific and constructive: Focus on specific behaviors and offer actionable suggestions for improvement.

  • Show empathy and support: Acknowledge their feelings and provide reassurance that your goal is to help them grow.

How do you approach giving feedback to sensitive employees? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
79 answers
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    Yvette Anthony

    Employment and Investigations | Technology | Dispute Resolution

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    It may be helpful to start with strengths before discussing areas for improvement. It would also be useful to focus on concrete behaviors and outcomes (instead of merely providing vague criticism). Using “I” statements (for e.g. “I noticed that…” instead of “you did this wrong”) could also help to make it seem less personal.

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    Félix Alarcón
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    Dar feedback es siempre difícil. A veces incluso desaconsejable… Las personas con alta sensibilidad requieren un lenguaje especial, cuidando nuestra comunicación de forma milimétrica y observando cada expresión para no conseguir el efecto contrario. El feedback está sobrevalorado. Si tiene alguna utilidad está en identificar aspectos de ese “yo desconocido” que es difícil de asumir. Mi punto de vista, que seguro no es compartido y puede que genere polémica, es dar siempre y sin excepción feedback positivo, llevando a la autorreflexión pero evitando siempre una comunicación correctora o que pueda resultar lesiva para mi interlocutor.

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    Shweta Garg

    Human Resource | Talent Acquisition | Non IT Recruitment | Bulk Hiring | Leadership Hiring | MBA in Human Resources Management

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    I approach feedback with empathy and clarity, ensuring a safe space for discussion. I start with strengths, frame feedback as a growth opportunity, and keep it specific and actionable. My tone is supportive, and I check in later to reinforce progress. It’s about guiding, not criticizing—helping them improve while feeling valued. What’s your go-to strategy for handling sensitive feedback?

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    Endri Ndoni

    Managing Partner AIMS Albania | Member of AIMS Talent Management Global Practice | Founder of Toastmasters in Albania

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    First break down the elements of the 'sensitivity' of the employee.(personality and behaviors) Are they low 'tough-minded' = sensitive to criticism? - Constructive wording is crucial. Caution must be made in not making the feedback too personal, but rather aligning it with situations, or third parties. Are they low-relaxed =easily accumulate tension and stress? -The 'sandwich' method may work well here. Start positive to set the tone, give feedback including criticism, end positive to give a lasting positive effect. Are they low emotionally-controlled = they express emotions openly? -Be frank and open in the feedback and try not to be reactive to their emotional bursts. Avoid drama creation as much as possible, and let them cool down.

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    Ishika Azad

    IIM Rohtak | Ex Ericsson | Ex EY

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    Giving feedback to a sensitive employee isn’t about tiptoeing around them—it’s about fostering trust. Begin with sincere appreciation, then present feedback as a means of growth rather than criticism. Use specific examples and a collaborative approach, such as, “I’ve noticed something—what are your thoughts on it?” This transforms the conversation from critique to development. When approached correctly, feedback becomes a source of empowerment rather than discouragement.

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    Gustavo Souza Miranda Sacchetti

    Senior Executive | Director | Head | Health | Safety | Environment | Quality | ESG | EHS | SSMA

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    The feedback process is very important for aligning the route, making it clear what is going well and what needs to be adjusted. This action needs to be well structured, bringing the facts and demonstrating their impact on the organization. It is essential to avoid bias. We must always bear in mind that this process has a constructive objective, seeking positive results for the area and the organization, but it is not always pleasant for one or the other or both, but it is necessary.

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    Orhan Abbasov

    Senior Frontend Developer at Youmio🔹8 years of experience🔹React, Next.js, Remix.js, Redux, TypeScript, Tailwind🔹Web3🔹Three.js🔹AI

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    💬 Giving feedback to a sensitive employee? It’s all about the right balance- honesty with a human touch. 🔹 Pick the right moment - A private, calm setting makes all the difference. 🔹 Be clear, not harsh - Focus on actions, not personality, and offer solutions. 🔹 Show you care - Reassure them that feedback is about growth, not criticism. People remember how feedback makes them feel. Make it constructive, not crushing. How do you handle these conversations? Let’s discuss! 👇

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    Subrata Adhikary

    Driving Success as Your Trusted ✅ Microsoft Dynamics ✅ Salesforce ✅ SAP ✅ Premium Resource Supplier ✅ Corporate Training ✅ Contratual global deployment

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    Giving feedback to a sensitive employee requires empathy and tact. 💡 Start with positive reinforcement before addressing areas for improvement. Use "I" statements instead of "you" to avoid sounding accusatory. 🤝 Keep the conversation private, supportive, and specific, focusing on solutions rather than criticism. Ask for their perspective and encourage dialogue. 🗣️ End on a motivational note, emphasizing trust in their abilities and growth potential. 🌱 Feedback should inspire, not discourage! Thanks Shawn #constructivefeedback #empathyatwork

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    Rhoda Ojo, ACIPM

    People & Culture Specialist | Recruiter | Administrative Strategist

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    When giving feedback to a sensitive employee, it is important to be kind and thoughtful. Sensitive employees can be found in any workplace, so it is essential to approach the situation with care and professionalism. Begin by highlighting what they do well to help them feel appreciated and valued. Then, when discussing areas that need improvement, be clear but avoid being too harsh. Focus on the behaviour or task, not the person, and suggest ways to improve rather than just pointing out what went wrong. Also, offer support and let them know you are there to help them succeed. Keep the tone calm and positive, and give them a chance to ask questions or share their thoughts. This way, feedback feels constructive and not overwhelming.

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    Bhavna Dwivedi

    VFX Line Producer

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    Giving feedback to a sensitive employee, balance honesty with empathy by starting with their strengths to set a positive tone. Be specific and objective, focusing on facts rather than opinions. I would use a gentle and constructive approach, framing feedback as an opportunity for growth. Offer actionable solutions instead of just pointing out issues, and encourage an open dialogue to understand their perspective. Finally, reaffirm their value to the team, ensuring they feel supported and motivated to improve. And of course, I believe that learning to give feedback thoughtfully is just as important as knowing how to receive it with an open mind.

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