Most employers have encountered employees they dread seeing duplicated in the workplace. These individuals typically have a track record of low productivity, making mischief at work or adversely affecting the company’s bottom line.
There are some companies where these issues are easily resolved, and individuals are speedily held accountable for their work performance and behaviour. Other firms are challenged, and many of these difficult employees become entrenched in their fabric, tainting the business’s image and establishing the wrong corporate culture.
In some cases, these employees are unaware they have become a burden to their company and the people they serve. It is quite unfortunate that our failure to identify, uphold and manage standards has resulted in far too many employees who either don’t know better or have been conditioned not to care.
Our discussion today, then, provides a basic checklist for employees to determine whether or not professional lines have been crossed. It lays out for the entire workforce the ‘black’ - and sometimes ‘grey’ - areas that cause employers and company executives to frown in disgust.
As a leader, there are a few areas on this list that particularly set me off, and cause me to view the employee in a negative light. At the completion of reading this list, and the ‘rationale’ for these actions, you should have a clearer picture of whether you bring value or disgrace to the title and job you currently hold.
Extended (executive) lunch breaks. Because an hour is never enough, I manoeuvre, hoping the leader is not aware of my coming in and going out.
School pick-ups after the lunch hour has already been taken. My children come first and no job will keep them waiting in the school yard.
Inviting friends and family to your personal work space. Because my space is my space, I invite who I want up in it.
Candy crushing, solitaire playing etc at the desk. Because they give me little to do, I have to occupy my time somehow.
Rude or crude jokes and comments at work. Because I’m just a funny and laid back person, I bring these qualities to the workplace.
Inappropriate use of company equipment and resources. Because these are the trades-off we make, and besides, everyone else does it.
Pursuing sexual relationships with team members. Because love and sex are a natural part of the human existence, work barriers and human resource policies should not prevent it.
Too many sick/casual days. Because I am entitled to them, I have every intention of taking each and every one.
Chronically ill employees. Because I just don’t like my job or the people I work with. And besides, I have a doctor friend who works with me.
Expecting and asking for a raise with poor work ethic and performance. Because they have to pay me more to get anything else from me.
Playing the political card. Because my cousin is so and so, I am a card carrying so and so, and I walked the streets to get them elected. They better not touch me.
Playing the trade union card. Because I pay my dues, they better not even try it. That’s what the union is for.
Horrible with customers. Because they are rude to me, they get it right back at them. Besides, they don’t pay me enough to smile.
If you have ever uttered any of these words, or find yourself justifying your actions with this kind of language, you have perhaps been placed by your employer on the pile of employees to replace as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
Make a u-turn today, change your attitude, and your behaviour and actions will follow suit.
• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.
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