Work

Part of my job is managing people. Currently I have about 18 direct reports, though that number varies between 13 and 20. On November 1st there were some changes in the office and the people I had managed for the previous year were redistributed while I picked up a bunch of new people. So, I am trying to lead a group that I have only been with for about 2 months now. One person I am managing is a young woman, about 27 years of age, who has been with the company for about 5 months now. She runs a particular area of my teams business and a good part of her work is dealing with customers herself. It is usually a pretty independent position, where the person takes care of a lot with very little oversight from me. However, since she is so new she asks many questions. I have no problem helping her get up to speed. However, I do have a problem with her that I am having trouble dealing with. She cries. A lot. At the drop of a hat. The slightest problem comes up in the job and she is in my office crying. She has only been working for me for about two months now, and she has gone full on tears 3 times, and come close several other times. And by full on tears, I mean she is bawling. This is a new situation for me. I have had people who work for me cry before, but usually when something dramatic has happened. When I have to write someone up, sometimes they cry. When I have had to lay people off, sometimes they cry. But never for the little day to day things we regularly have to deal with. I truly don't understand how to deal with her. Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.