Ten Things that can get you Fired
Some people feel excited about their jobs and they love working, but there are many people who feel the exact opposite and have been close to getting fired from their jobs. Work is a four letter word, and so is love. If you don’t love your job the best thing you can do is to never show your lack of love for your job while you are at work. The current state of the global economy has impacted everyone’s job, which means that you have to put in more effort to KEEP your job. If you want to avoid getting fired, here are ten work habits that you should avoid doing:
Habit # 1-Arriving to work late
It goes without saying that the early bird catches the worm. Take a cue from all of the birds who know not to procrastinate; don’t make the mistake of delaying your arrival to work each day. If you value your job you will make the effort of arriving on time each day. Even if your boss is really nice about you occasionally showing up late for work, he or she may hold your late arrivals against you when it is time to renew your contract with the company. Set your alarm clock and get up extra early so that you can get to work on time.
Habit # 2-Badmouthing the boss
Your boss has the power at your workplace to promote you, demote you, and fire you. Don’t make the mistake of badmouthing your boss to your co-workers and to your customers. If you are unhappy with the way your manager treats you at work it is your responsibility to approach your manager privately and discuss your grievances. If your manager refuses to change, it is your choice to remain at the company or leave the company. Always remember that your boss might be contacted by your future employers for references about your working abilities. Keep your bad feelings about your boss to yourself and never discuss your dislike for your boss at work in case he or she overhears you and fires you.
Habit # 3-Badmouthing your co-workers
The people you work with may not be the easiest people in the world to get along with, but it does you no good to talk badly about them at work. Your co-workers could sue you for slander if you accuse them of things that are not true. The workplace environment would be REALLY tense if you and your co-worker are in the midst of a nasty legal battle. Keep your ill feelings about your co-worker to yourself. You never know; your co-worker might one day become your boss at work, and if the two of you don’t get along, he or she can make your workplace environment very tense and unpleasant for you.
Habit # 4-Soliciting at work
Many people are struggling to hold on to their jobs and they want to create additional sources of income to help them deal with the unpredictable state of the economy. If you have started a side business and you want to approach your co-workers about it, make sure that you inform your co-workers about your new business when you are NOT working. Share your new business opportunity during your lunch breaks at work, and do it in a discreet and hushed tone. Ask your co-workers if you can get together after work to talk about your new business. Invite them to your home if you want to, but, NEVER use company time to promote your new business because you could get fired for soliciting co-workers and customers at work.
Habit # 5-Using company resources for personal use
Your Facebook and personal email messages can wait to be checked when you arrive home and can check them on your own computer. Using the company computer to check and respond to messages can get you fired. Many employers are installing software on company computers that allows them to spy on what employees are doing when they are supposed to be working. It is not uncommon for employees to get fired for making personal calls on the company telephones when they should be working, and it is also not uncommon for employees to get fired for using company computers for personal use during working hours. If you don’t have access to a computer at home, visit an Internet café or use the computers at your local library. Don’t use the computers at your workplace for personal use.
Habit # 6-Spilling company secrets
Employees are made privy to confidential information that the public does not and in some cases should not have access to. Anything that you learn about your company during employee meetings should not be revealed to your family members and friends. Don’t use your Internet social media accounts to post what you know either; your bosses can find out and they can fire you for your lack of loyalty to the company.
Habit # 7-Leaving work early
If your boss allows you to leave work early from time to time, that is fine. However, it is NOT fine for you to make assumptions that it is okay for you to leave work early every day. Leaving early every day suggests to your employer that you don’t appreciate your job and that you don’t want to keep it anymore. Don’t leave work early unless you have permission from your boss.
Habit #8-Stealing from the company
Nobody enjoys having their personal items stolen from them. Likewise, employers don’t like to be victims of theft. Resist the urge to take things home from the office that don’t belong to you.
Habit #9-Calling in sick too often
Your employer depends upon you to be at your job when you are supposed to be there. Don’t make a habit of calling in sick too often, especially if you want to keep your job.
Habit #10-Being rude to customers
Customers are the lifeblood of every business. If you are rude to customers you are jeopardizing the company’s future. Strive to be professional and polite at all times when you are dealing with customers.
You may not be crazy in love with your job, but it serves you very little purpose to get yourself fired. Getting fired looks bad on your employment record. If you want to keep your job, it is important for you to work on avoiding the ten bad habits listed here when you are at your workplace.
