Workplace etiquette needs to begin with an understanding of our Canadian culture combined with how we accept manners and basic courtesies. Many of us have been raised with the art of saying please and thank you, and that is still appropriate for employers and employees today. We may have also been raised to open doors for ladies, or others in general, and to allow others to step off elevators before stepping on. In today’s society, common practice is to be considerate to everyone. Holding the door open, for example, seems to depend on the situation, timing, and location. However, there are some differences today in workplace niceties, as technology, working remotely, and costs of doing business, all seem to be taking on an acceptable protocol of their own. Every company does have its own culture, its own personality, and its own policies, which does takeover in everyday work life.
Our Canadian expectation is to shake an associate’s hand and make direct eye contact when we meet for any type of business meeting, including an interview. If we are unable to, we must state that, otherwise we appear distant, unfriendly, and perhaps even egotistical. We are a warm and caring nation, and we do tend to hug our close co-workers, and even associates and customers with whom we feel close to. We have to be careful, however, that we do not cross the lines of acceptable behavior, as we can perhaps misinterpret normal cultural friendliness with harassment.
When talking to bosses and co-workers, we should keep our personal lives, especially issues, to an absolute minimum during work hours. But, today, we are all looking for more ways to be social, to meet people, and to get closer. Technology and working remotely has removed the personal water cooler talk from the workplace. Additionally, we are all really too busy now, stressed and over scheduled, to chit chat. So, we may crossover our work lives with our home lives, and get a little too close when we have the chance. Workplace etiquette though, is to keep the conversations at work to mainly work related topics, especially with bosses. We need to keep personal phone calls to quiet and short timeframes, and personal emails should be handled on what would equal coffee break time; we need to remember that work time is paid time.
Company codes of conduct are general rules that should be followed by everyone, and should make common sense in any workplace. These rules should be clearly written and posted, and may consist of safety regulations and generally respected human rights. Workplace etiquette seems to be a little more flexible these days, and will vary based on the culture, ages of the workforce, and what the employees and employer create and allow as acceptable behaviors.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Employer/Employee Relationships
Employer/Employee relationships are complicated. No different than most other relationships, but work related issues seem to cause more stress than any other type! Appreciation, collaboration, and communication are the key words to help make a successful workplace for 2012.
I find that when one person in any relationship feels unappreciated, the feelings fester, eventually erupt, and sometimes can't be repaired. If the boss feels unappreciated, that person usually holds most of the power, and he or she may begin to pull back in some form. The boss may withhold perks, promotions, raises, or any other little offering he or she may usually present or over look for those employees who don't thank or show any gratitude. On the flip side, for employees who don't feel appreciated for their hard work, their loyalty, or their value, they may steal, perhaps time or items, they may cause quiet disturbances, or they may just quit, perhaps without proper notice.
Appreciation revolves around people's feelings. If employers and employees equally collaborate on what is fair for both parties, as well as for the organization and other related parties such as co-workers and customers, the workplace will be a better place to be. The mutual goals need to be clear, and the expectations of the business and its people understood. The cross point between appreciation and collaboration is communication. Employers and employees need to be able to talk about the realistic fairness of the workplace, what will be expected and what will be appreciated as part of the deal. When spouses marry, they usually talk about who is responsible for the housework, the yard work, the shopping, and paying the bills. There is some discussion, some expectations are set, and they communicate pretty well when one party feels underappreciated or the load becomes unfair in some way. And yet, in the workplace, we enter these hopefully long-term relationships, we stress about them, we complain about them, we stick with them for sometimes years and years. We count on our work to give us our lifestyles and pay our way in life, but we don't necessarily communicate those expectations.
Hopefully in 2012 we will become better at employer/employee relationships; we will not worry about retaliation if we do communicate our needs and our goals for this coming year. These tough relationships are difficult to navigate, but we rely on them for almost everything in our livelihood.
2012 workplace goals and strategy for bosses and employees should be to appreciate one another as often as possible while remaining fair to each other and the organization, to collaborate enough to achieve the goals, and communicate the expectations as well as the thanks when it comes to fruition.
I find that when one person in any relationship feels unappreciated, the feelings fester, eventually erupt, and sometimes can't be repaired. If the boss feels unappreciated, that person usually holds most of the power, and he or she may begin to pull back in some form. The boss may withhold perks, promotions, raises, or any other little offering he or she may usually present or over look for those employees who don't thank or show any gratitude. On the flip side, for employees who don't feel appreciated for their hard work, their loyalty, or their value, they may steal, perhaps time or items, they may cause quiet disturbances, or they may just quit, perhaps without proper notice.
Appreciation revolves around people's feelings. If employers and employees equally collaborate on what is fair for both parties, as well as for the organization and other related parties such as co-workers and customers, the workplace will be a better place to be. The mutual goals need to be clear, and the expectations of the business and its people understood. The cross point between appreciation and collaboration is communication. Employers and employees need to be able to talk about the realistic fairness of the workplace, what will be expected and what will be appreciated as part of the deal. When spouses marry, they usually talk about who is responsible for the housework, the yard work, the shopping, and paying the bills. There is some discussion, some expectations are set, and they communicate pretty well when one party feels underappreciated or the load becomes unfair in some way. And yet, in the workplace, we enter these hopefully long-term relationships, we stress about them, we complain about them, we stick with them for sometimes years and years. We count on our work to give us our lifestyles and pay our way in life, but we don't necessarily communicate those expectations.
Hopefully in 2012 we will become better at employer/employee relationships; we will not worry about retaliation if we do communicate our needs and our goals for this coming year. These tough relationships are difficult to navigate, but we rely on them for almost everything in our livelihood.
2012 workplace goals and strategy for bosses and employees should be to appreciate one another as often as possible while remaining fair to each other and the organization, to collaborate enough to achieve the goals, and communicate the expectations as well as the thanks when it comes to fruition.
Friday, December 30, 2011
When did our values begin to form around fortune and fame?
Lately, it has seemed to me that the most important thing to people is who has the most popularity, good or bad. In North America, we seem to base trust and success on self promotional fame. The loudest person who shows the most confidence publicly tends to get the most support. In politics, the most attractive famous person usually gets the job; and in business, the person who walks around talking about how great he or she is gets the promotion, raise, or position. I wonder why we get sucked in by those types of people. When did our values begin to form around fame and fortune?
I think there are a lot of people doing a great job, quietly. There are many successful business people who are donating anonymously, because they want to help our community without having to be recognized for it. Mothers and fathers work so hard every day to raise responsible, healthy, and kind children, because their values are true and right.
There is no glory in most jobs, no grand recognition or praise. There are low wage earners who work just as hard or harder, and who are better people than those who make a fortune and treat people poorly. I wonder if there is payback for those who solely value their own fame and fortune, who spend their days spouting “I am great" to the entire world, to the detriment of those around them.
I don't get star struck, but I have met many people who are. Personally, I would much rather sit and talk to an everyday person, who is caring, giving, and trustworthy, than with someone who constantly talks about how awesome they are. I prefer to know, "what have you done for someone else lately?” than hear stories about fame and fortune. I have far more interesting conversations with those who work hard, who care about their work, who are middle class, and whose stories are different than my own, than with the rich and boring.
Is it possible for people to have bad success? I say yes, if they have a false set of values and are not authentic. As we get closer to the Christmas holidays, we should evaluate the people we spend time listening to, and make sure they are worth our energy and appreciation.
I think there are a lot of people doing a great job, quietly. There are many successful business people who are donating anonymously, because they want to help our community without having to be recognized for it. Mothers and fathers work so hard every day to raise responsible, healthy, and kind children, because their values are true and right.
There is no glory in most jobs, no grand recognition or praise. There are low wage earners who work just as hard or harder, and who are better people than those who make a fortune and treat people poorly. I wonder if there is payback for those who solely value their own fame and fortune, who spend their days spouting “I am great" to the entire world, to the detriment of those around them.
I don't get star struck, but I have met many people who are. Personally, I would much rather sit and talk to an everyday person, who is caring, giving, and trustworthy, than with someone who constantly talks about how awesome they are. I prefer to know, "what have you done for someone else lately?” than hear stories about fame and fortune. I have far more interesting conversations with those who work hard, who care about their work, who are middle class, and whose stories are different than my own, than with the rich and boring.
Is it possible for people to have bad success? I say yes, if they have a false set of values and are not authentic. As we get closer to the Christmas holidays, we should evaluate the people we spend time listening to, and make sure they are worth our energy and appreciation.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Stop limiting yourself to your past.
Sometimes people get stuck. We get complacent in our work lives, our home lives, our routines, and our relationships. We create our own limitations by what we have already done and are used to doing, especially when it comes to our work histories.
Resumes are supposed to show what a potential candidate could and should do, based on what they’ve done in the past. Everything seems to be based on what used to be, and not on what talent, desires, creativity, and hobbies reveal about a person.
We often talk about setting boundaries, and that we don't easily recognize our own. We seem to create boundaries only after something serious has happened, or we simply get old enough to understand what is acceptable for us. But, when it comes to looking for new work, the forbidden change, we have created such a box around what we think is necessary and right for us, that we find ourselves trapped in it!
We are so accustomed to following patterns that we forget to open our minds to new opportunities for work, relationships, and our well being. I certainly would not suggest that a bank robber should become a cop, or that a dentist should become an electrician, but I think people have become way too conditioned to live within the box of their resume. It seems that the most frequent phrase spoken by job seekers is "I used to", when they should be saying, "I love to, I could try, or I think I’d be good at". We also seem to believe that age is discriminated against. He is too young or she is too old is ridiculous. But what’s even worse, is when I hear from job applicants that they themselves think they are too old or too young for a certain job. There is that terrible box again, limitations created only by themselves.
Self esteem is a complex topic. We often limit ourselves before even opening up to the idea that anything is possible. We should look outside our past, the patterns we are stuck in, and the limiting beliefs we have put into our own brains. If we started writing resumes based on our futures, what we hope to accomplish based on what we love to do, what gives us energy, and what our talents are, perhaps we could rewrite our paths. Imagine, looking for a job or hiring someone based on having no limitations, just creativity, desire, and happiness. Perhaps we would not be so scared of change, if we could just stretch that box to dream of a future where we loved our jobs, our work, and our relationships.
Resumes are supposed to show what a potential candidate could and should do, based on what they’ve done in the past. Everything seems to be based on what used to be, and not on what talent, desires, creativity, and hobbies reveal about a person.
We often talk about setting boundaries, and that we don't easily recognize our own. We seem to create boundaries only after something serious has happened, or we simply get old enough to understand what is acceptable for us. But, when it comes to looking for new work, the forbidden change, we have created such a box around what we think is necessary and right for us, that we find ourselves trapped in it!
We are so accustomed to following patterns that we forget to open our minds to new opportunities for work, relationships, and our well being. I certainly would not suggest that a bank robber should become a cop, or that a dentist should become an electrician, but I think people have become way too conditioned to live within the box of their resume. It seems that the most frequent phrase spoken by job seekers is "I used to", when they should be saying, "I love to, I could try, or I think I’d be good at". We also seem to believe that age is discriminated against. He is too young or she is too old is ridiculous. But what’s even worse, is when I hear from job applicants that they themselves think they are too old or too young for a certain job. There is that terrible box again, limitations created only by themselves.
Self esteem is a complex topic. We often limit ourselves before even opening up to the idea that anything is possible. We should look outside our past, the patterns we are stuck in, and the limiting beliefs we have put into our own brains. If we started writing resumes based on our futures, what we hope to accomplish based on what we love to do, what gives us energy, and what our talents are, perhaps we could rewrite our paths. Imagine, looking for a job or hiring someone based on having no limitations, just creativity, desire, and happiness. Perhaps we would not be so scared of change, if we could just stretch that box to dream of a future where we loved our jobs, our work, and our relationships.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Are you really living paycheck to paycheck?
I had a conversation with someone recently about living paycheck to paycheck. I have scraped loose change together to get dinner at 7-11 in the past so I understand that way of life. Living day to day, working hard, and having no extra cash available is very stressful. Some industries pay every 30-45 days, so budgeting for that is difficult. It is tough to live hand to mouth whether someone is being paid too little to live on or being paid too sporadically. For most people, being paid is the incentive for showing up to work, of course there are exceptions. But when it comes down to eating versus not eating, the amount of money someone makes and the frequency of being paid matters.
The conversation I had which sparked today’s column, took a different turn when I felt empathy and began asking questions. That is when I learned that living paycheck to paycheck means different things to different people. This gentleman was frustrated that he had no savings and was working hard. So, I asked about his RRSPs, which it turns out he maxes out every year and his company matches his contributions. To him that was just part of his monthly expenses, and did not constitute savings. To me that is what RRSPs are, savings for later in life, a nest egg, and the company matching is a large sum to be considered in his annual compensation. I asked him about his home, which he owns, but of course has a mortgage. I say that owning a home is a privilege, and shows that this person is not living paycheck to paycheck. A mortgage is necessary to own the asset, unless you are extremely wealthy.
I asked this man about other debt, specifically, if he had any credit card debt. He said he doesn’t like to use credit cards, because he doesn’t want to have debt. And if he does use them, he’ll always pay them off at the end of the month. Paycheck to paycheck to me means credit cards are maxed, and certainly no home ownership with substantial equity! I asked if he had any past student loans, which are tough to pay back? The answer was no. I then found out that he had just bought a new car, and was feeling the pinch of paying a down payment on that. Oh, and he’d just booked a holiday with his family, so he felt he had no money left over after paying it off. Personally, that is not my idea of living paycheck to paycheck, that is what I call living!
I say people who are really living paycheck to paycheck cannot afford a house, a car, a trip, and RRSPs. But, I guess he felt he was not making enough money to meet his financial goals. I say the conversation should have been about that, and not comparing himself to those who really do search for spare change to put food on the table.
The conversation I had which sparked today’s column, took a different turn when I felt empathy and began asking questions. That is when I learned that living paycheck to paycheck means different things to different people. This gentleman was frustrated that he had no savings and was working hard. So, I asked about his RRSPs, which it turns out he maxes out every year and his company matches his contributions. To him that was just part of his monthly expenses, and did not constitute savings. To me that is what RRSPs are, savings for later in life, a nest egg, and the company matching is a large sum to be considered in his annual compensation. I asked him about his home, which he owns, but of course has a mortgage. I say that owning a home is a privilege, and shows that this person is not living paycheck to paycheck. A mortgage is necessary to own the asset, unless you are extremely wealthy.
I asked this man about other debt, specifically, if he had any credit card debt. He said he doesn’t like to use credit cards, because he doesn’t want to have debt. And if he does use them, he’ll always pay them off at the end of the month. Paycheck to paycheck to me means credit cards are maxed, and certainly no home ownership with substantial equity! I asked if he had any past student loans, which are tough to pay back? The answer was no. I then found out that he had just bought a new car, and was feeling the pinch of paying a down payment on that. Oh, and he’d just booked a holiday with his family, so he felt he had no money left over after paying it off. Personally, that is not my idea of living paycheck to paycheck, that is what I call living!
I say people who are really living paycheck to paycheck cannot afford a house, a car, a trip, and RRSPs. But, I guess he felt he was not making enough money to meet his financial goals. I say the conversation should have been about that, and not comparing himself to those who really do search for spare change to put food on the table.
Monday, November 14, 2011
OMG, what is happening to our language?
Common workplace language has changed over the last decade. Perhaps our fast moving technology era has forced us to react quicker than we can think. We certainly have learned to abbreviate communication to the shortest possible character when we write, text, and even speak. But everything seems to be moving in that direction. Sometimes, I don’t even know what people are saying but others are laughing, so I L.O.L. too.
Lately, I have also noticed that in some workplaces, profanity is a norm. I have been guilty of a trucker mouth myself, but I am trying to contain it, especially at work. But, I have heard stories of workplaces where swearing is part of the everyday conversations with customers and staff. Maybe if this language style is the norm for all parties it could be acceptable, but it still comes out sounding aggressive and insulting no matter how many people are using profanity at work.
Tone is also a big part of language; how words come out can be considered sarcasm, the lowest form of wit. Perhaps we should take a moment to consider the ramifications in the workplace, before we swear, insult, or throw out sarcastic remarks. Seems people no longer take the time to think about asking thoughtful questions, being polite, listening, and making eye contact with customers and co-workers. Instead, we bark orders, and pay more attention to our phones vibrating texts than we do to the people we are with.
Language is now based on physical characters on a keyboard; the shorter the better. The world is changing and we all need to change with it, but I hope we can still find a way to connect with people, communicate with each other face to face, wait for an answer to a question, put our personal devices aside for a moment, and treat each other with respect.
As we learn to communicate at the speed of text or tweet, I hope we don’t lose the value of respectful language. If we can continue to think before we say something rude, abrupt, or out of context, our workplaces and our personal lives might be happier places to be. Next time we abbreviate something, perhaps we should take a quick look at it, to see if the word has other meanings in that form.
Although, one abbreviation I’ll never mix up is K.D.; I think I’ll make a box for lunch.
Lately, I have also noticed that in some workplaces, profanity is a norm. I have been guilty of a trucker mouth myself, but I am trying to contain it, especially at work. But, I have heard stories of workplaces where swearing is part of the everyday conversations with customers and staff. Maybe if this language style is the norm for all parties it could be acceptable, but it still comes out sounding aggressive and insulting no matter how many people are using profanity at work.
Tone is also a big part of language; how words come out can be considered sarcasm, the lowest form of wit. Perhaps we should take a moment to consider the ramifications in the workplace, before we swear, insult, or throw out sarcastic remarks. Seems people no longer take the time to think about asking thoughtful questions, being polite, listening, and making eye contact with customers and co-workers. Instead, we bark orders, and pay more attention to our phones vibrating texts than we do to the people we are with.
Language is now based on physical characters on a keyboard; the shorter the better. The world is changing and we all need to change with it, but I hope we can still find a way to connect with people, communicate with each other face to face, wait for an answer to a question, put our personal devices aside for a moment, and treat each other with respect.
As we learn to communicate at the speed of text or tweet, I hope we don’t lose the value of respectful language. If we can continue to think before we say something rude, abrupt, or out of context, our workplaces and our personal lives might be happier places to be. Next time we abbreviate something, perhaps we should take a quick look at it, to see if the word has other meanings in that form.
Although, one abbreviation I’ll never mix up is K.D.; I think I’ll make a box for lunch.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Could you live with less?
My husband and I often talk about what we could live with or without. We say we could move into a small condo, perhaps a two bedroom, as long as there’s a closet big enough for all my shoes!
After working for over thirty years and raising three sons, we certainly have accumulated a lot of things. Our house is perfect for a family of five, a tad too big for two, but we have all lived normal, middle-class lives. I think people live within their scope of income for the most part, and perhaps to an extent to the job position or title they hold. No one wants to go backwards or scale down; having less is not the North American way. We want more, we want bigger, and some cannot fathom living with less. Any of us who felt the negative impact of this past recession had to rethink the importance of the size of our house, our savings, and our shopping bags.
As we head into our November 11th Remembrance Day, make sure to take a moment to remember those who fought our battles, those who won and those who lost. November 11th was set to celebrate the end of World War 1, and in Canada, we pay tribute to those who died in any war. At 11 O’clock, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, in 2011, observe the two minutes of silence to remember those gone. I think we should also take an extra moment to be grateful for what we have, and think about what we could live without. Not that we have to give anything up, but could we? If we lost our jobs, our money, and our homes, but we still had our loved ones, our futures, and our minds, would we be OK? Could we downsize at work or at home? Could we live without going to restaurants or on vacations if we had to?
Most of us started our adult lives with very little, and yet we are attached to our purchases. We are attached to our jobs, and yet, we quit, move on, get laid off, and we move through that process. We should be attached to people, and we should appreciate them more; that should be part of the conversations we have this week when we are remembering those lost at war, or otherwise.
Buy a poppy and support the veterans! 11:11:11:11 will never happen again, one time only, this week! Think about what you could live without, and what you could not live without, and then take that extra moment to be grateful, and remember those who fought for us. Lest we forget.
After working for over thirty years and raising three sons, we certainly have accumulated a lot of things. Our house is perfect for a family of five, a tad too big for two, but we have all lived normal, middle-class lives. I think people live within their scope of income for the most part, and perhaps to an extent to the job position or title they hold. No one wants to go backwards or scale down; having less is not the North American way. We want more, we want bigger, and some cannot fathom living with less. Any of us who felt the negative impact of this past recession had to rethink the importance of the size of our house, our savings, and our shopping bags.
As we head into our November 11th Remembrance Day, make sure to take a moment to remember those who fought our battles, those who won and those who lost. November 11th was set to celebrate the end of World War 1, and in Canada, we pay tribute to those who died in any war. At 11 O’clock, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, in 2011, observe the two minutes of silence to remember those gone. I think we should also take an extra moment to be grateful for what we have, and think about what we could live without. Not that we have to give anything up, but could we? If we lost our jobs, our money, and our homes, but we still had our loved ones, our futures, and our minds, would we be OK? Could we downsize at work or at home? Could we live without going to restaurants or on vacations if we had to?
Most of us started our adult lives with very little, and yet we are attached to our purchases. We are attached to our jobs, and yet, we quit, move on, get laid off, and we move through that process. We should be attached to people, and we should appreciate them more; that should be part of the conversations we have this week when we are remembering those lost at war, or otherwise.
Buy a poppy and support the veterans! 11:11:11:11 will never happen again, one time only, this week! Think about what you could live without, and what you could not live without, and then take that extra moment to be grateful, and remember those who fought for us. Lest we forget.
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