SURVIVING THE WORKPLACE: Keeping Your Job by NOT Doing These Simple Things

Today’s blog is the last part of the three- part series of blogs “Surviving the Workplace”. This blog focuses on things you can do to guarantee yourself an escort to the door and out of your job.

Imagine arriving at your desk only to find that you have been terminated from your position. In today’s economy and with the National average of unemployment at 12%, this situation is not ideal for anyone. Protect your position and your bank account! Here’s a short sweet and to the point list of things that you never want to do on a job, unless you are actually trying to get canned.

These tips of what not to do may seem obvious, but you would be surprised at the number of people that actually do at least one of these things at work.

1) STEALING: This is a for sure way to be escorted off the premises. Don’t steal anything. Period. Your company pays good money for those supplies and it is not up to you to treat them like they are your personal things. Even the smallest, most insignificant items like pens, pencils, post- its, and computer paper all count. Just because it is something small does not mean it’s yours. Remember stealing is not only wrong, it is illegal!

2) BLAMING SOMEONE FOR YOUR MISTAKE: It might be embarrassing to admit when you made a mistake, but admitting it demonstrates maturity and is a direct reflection of your character. Better believe your boss will consider you for the bigger and better if you can own up to your own mistakes rather than making excuses or blame others.

3) SPREADING GOSSIP: Gossip, while entertaining in the short term, is immature and creates unnecessary drama in the workplace. Stay away from any gossip you hear, as it can easily lead to termination.

4) GETTING TO COMFORTABLE: Many times, when we have been at a job for a while, we get comfortable and slack off in areas where we would have kept sharp in the beginning. Always remember; dress professionally, keep a professional attitude with all co-workers and upper management, show up on time and meet all deadlines. You always want prompt and reliable to be included in a description of you, and getting to comfortable will ensure those 2 words are never used.

5) DOING POOR WORK: Always go above and beyond what is expected in you. Working harder will not only ensure you keep the job you have but it can also lead to a promotion.

6) FAILURE TO GET ALONG WITH SUPERVISORS AND COWORKERS: Contributing to the overall morale of the company is important. When you don’t get along with upper management they are going to see you are not an asset to the company. Never argue with a superior. If you have a problem, ask them to talk it out with you. If you can’t resolve it professionally, speak to your superiors supervisor. Keep a professional, calm demeanor ALWAYS.

7) LYING ABOUT YOUR QUALIFICATIONS OR JOB HISTORY: You made it through the interview process and landed the job but don’t think you are in the clear just yet; you’re still in your probation period. If it is obvious that you can’t do the job you said you can do, you can be sure that your employer is going to do more in depth research into your background. People have been terminated for incorrect dates of employment as well as out and out lies about employment history or educational degrees. Be honest at all times.

8) COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR JOB: Don’t think that what you say to a co-worker won’t get to someone of higher authority. Don’t complain about your job; Someone else could be hired for your position and love it; be thankful that you have a job.

9) DON’T BOTHER LEARNING WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU: When hired for a job, or even after you’ve been in a position for awhile, make sure you know what is expected of you. The best way to be clear on job expectations is to sit down with your manager and outline what your job entails, your deadlines, and company policies. This will eliminate any guess work.

10) LEARN TO SAY, “THAT IS NOT PART OF MY JOB.” Remember, it is important to always go above and beyond. Learning and executing a foreign task outside of your typical duties can be a promotion in the making. If you demonstrate a negative attitude toward learning something new, how long will your employer be interested in keeping you in a position where they need a team player? You can never tell your boss, 'no, I don't think I will do that.’

11) FORGET TEAM WORK: Remember your parents teaching you to play nice with others? Well, that old playground rule is still in effect in office politics. Teamwork is important in everything that you do. It demonstrates your ability to incorporate others’ ideas, that you are willing to learn from co-workers, and that you don’t mind giving or receiving help from others.

12) CONSISTENTLY SHOW UP LATE OR LEAVE EARLY FOR WORK: This type of behavior shows that you think you are more important than your peers, your boss, and your employees and indicates you don't value them or your job.

13) TREAT DEADLINES AS UNIMPORTANT: Deadlines? What are those? If you don’t know, this probably pertains to you, so listen up! Deadlines are the moment your boss is expecting that paperwork in his inbox or on her desk. Extensions should be requested the day before, rather than at the last minute. If you are going to be late, give a courtesy phone call to let your coworker or supervisor. When you are late it affects everyone working on the project.

14) ABUSE OF COMPANY EQUIPMENT: We've all seen the animation of the office drone becoming increasingly frustrated and destructive (http://www.dragonflightstudio.com/banghead.gif), but the reality is that equipment is expensive, and banging keyboards, pounding your mouse on your desk, or slamming your desk drawers is more than inappropriate--it costs the company money. Failing to take care of the technology and equipment provided to help you better accomplish your tasks is always unacceptable.

Here is a few that I have mentioned in past blogs that I did not add to the list but could be considered valid in this topic too:

• INVOLVING CO-WORKERS IN YOUR PERSONAL PROBLEMS
• ABUSING COMPANY TECHNOLOGY: This means using the internet or phone for your personal needs.

I’m sure you catch my drift. But let me emphasize one more time—if you don’t know or aren’t sure if your behavior is beyond reproach and everything that an employer would expect, step up the game. Believe me, it costs employers a lot of time and money to find a candidate, get them hired, and train them. They don’t want to have to fire you any more than you want to be fired.

Carly Sabato