Keeping Your Job in a Bad Economy
With today's growing unemployment rate, even the best employees should not consider themselves immune from receiving a pink slip. As companies continue to tighten their belts, it is very important to remember that many companies are dredging up outdated policies. As an employee, you should not expect to be exempt from any company policy, including vacation day guidelines or dress codes.
Leaving early because your child is sick is generally acceptable for employers, but coming in ten minutes late and leaving five minutes early every day will be noticed. It is not only considered poor work ethic, it also shows a lack of respect for your supervisor. Undermining the authority of your supervisor or performing poorly can make them look incompetent and someone will eventually be forced to answer for the behavior—most likely you.
One of the quickest ways to lose your job is to be deemed unreliable. When an employee is hired, they are expected to perform a certain set of tasks. Although employers understand it will take some time to acclimate to your new settings, if you are still unsure of how to perform the essential tasks required for your position after a few months, it will diminish the effectiveness of the entire company. If you are failing to perform well because your duties are taking a backseat to non-work related activity—updating your Facebook profile status or checking up on the hottest celebrity gossip—your boss is sure to notice. For an employer, the easiest way to cut overhead expenses is by isolating employees who are neglecting their duties and showing them the door. Be punctual and reliable.
Reliability also goes hand-in-hand with honesty and trust. Believe it or not, honesty is a double-edged sword, especially for employees on a corporate career path. We were told by our parents that honesty is the best policy, which is great advice when it comes to stealing cookies from the cookie jar, but remember to keep some thoughts to yourself. An honest exchange of ideas with your boss is one thing; insulting him or her, even with the best of intentions, is a one way ticket to unemployment. Likewise, private information is something that you should keep to yourself and applies on and off the clock. Employers have no trouble cutting ties with someone who blabs secrets.
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