How to Not Get In Trouble At Work
Not every job can be a dream job, and not every career move may be the right choice; but making the best of a lackluster situation buys you the time, experience and respect you will need to get where you want to be. In a world where jobs are scarcer by the day, you can't afford to throw your job away because of bad habits or a bad attitude if you want to reach your goals.
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Instructions
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Be on time, all the time. Consistent tardiness in the workplace not only demonstrates a lack of respect, it costs your employer money and frustrates coworkers who do arrive on time.
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Use your time off responsibly. Whether you have paid or unpaid vacation or sick days, don't tempt fate by calling off work on a regular basis. Reserve these days for when you really need them.
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Save the small talk for break time. When you're at work, you should be working. If your boss can hear you laughing from his office or has to hunt you down to hand you a special assignment, not only will you lose precious respect, but also discipline may follow, especially if it's a daily habit.
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Follow your company's dress code. If it's not specifically outlined in your company manual, ask your manager what is required. If a uniform is required, including hats, aprons and name tags, wear it.
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Shut off your cell phone and any other gadgets that distract keep you from being productive.
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Avoid the Internet. If you must be online to do research, then focus only on the research. Checking in to Twitter, shopping for a new pair of shoes, or visiting an unfortunate link that leads you to a porn site will not score big points with your employers. Your Internet and email activities are monitored, whether you know it or not, so it's best to behave in the most professional manner possible when it comes to your digital activities.
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Follow all safety guidelines. Wear protective gear, as designated by company policies; use only assigned tools, and follow exact procedures when operating equipment. Carelessness not only endangers you and your coworkers, it also decreases productivity and costs your company money.
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Treat everyone with respect. Leave the tasteless jokes and crude comments about things such as weight, race or religion, at home. If your actions cause other employees embarrassment or discomfort, discipline, up to and including termination may result.
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Take responsibility for your mistakes when they happen. Don't pass the proverbial buck or waste your manager's time by making her hunt down the source of an issue. Depending on the scope of the error, hiding may cost you the respect of your managers and coworkers and can result in serious disciplinary action.
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Tips & Warnings
Check in with your manager on a regular basis to find out how you're doing. If you feel like you've got some problem areas, discuss how you can fix them and what you can do to improve overall.
A negative attitude may be the worst workplace infraction of all. Not only does it lead to a host of negative behaviors, it can drive down morale, heighten tension among coworkers and result in your termination. If you have a bad attitude towards your job, take the time to figure out what is upsetting you and come up with solutions for fixing the issues, or start looking for a position that better meets your needs.
References
- Creative Business Resources: The Cost of Late Employees
- EnviroVantage: Top 10 Workplace Safety Violations
- CVtips.com: Cell Phone Etiquette at Work
- "Forbes"; How Not To Behave At Work; Tara Weiss; October, 2007
- LegalWorkplace; Strategies For Overcoming Negative Attitudes In the Workplace; September, 2007
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
