Punctual
Always be on time to work. (That means at least 15 minutes before your start time.) Always remain to the end of your shift, and return from lunch and breaks as instructed.
Time is the largest measurement for business. Workers expectations include honoring time and being punctual begins and ends with you.
Los Angeles County traffic is 100% unpredictable and therefore if you drive a car to work, allow for plenty of time to arrive early. For example, if it takes 30 minutes under good traffic conditions, give yourself an hour to make the trip. Although reliable, public transportation does not always meet the standards, do attempt to cut it close and allow ample time to arrive early when using a bus, train, or rail.
Trustworthy
People that earn the trust of others gain health. Health attracts more health to our mind, body, and spirit.
Trust is the only thing that keeps a business operating and profitable. Because workplaces consist of assets–valuable items consisting of everything from money, to precious metals, to vital information.
Limited trust limits opportunity to earn more money for the business and you. Therefore, it is important to the health of earning money to be trustworthy.
- Reliable workers are trustworthy.
- Accountable workers are trustworthy.
- Truthful workers are trustworthy.
- Ethical workers are trustworthy.
- Responsible workers are trustworthy.
- Honest workers are trustworthy.
- Dependable workers are trustworthy.
Respectful
Poor workers sometimes are judgmental about other workers/customers. Do not allow yourself to make false judgments (stereotypes) about blacks, Latinos, women, sexual orientations, previously incarcerated individuals, minorities, workers with less formal education, wealth standards, and other common negative gossip-like views.
Good workers stay focused on helping the company to move its products and lower cost where possible. Maintain a level of self-respect and do not slip into false beliefs about others.
Courteous
How people feel about us is a direct result of the way we behave towards them, so the more positive that behavior, the more valued we are as a boss, colleague, member of staff, or friend.
Express ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ freely in the workplace. Being well mannered and polite will help add and elevate the value of your work performance.
Assertiveness can sometimes be confused with aggression, so it is important to strike a balance by being thoughtful of others around you.
Friendly
Workers that communicate well with their fellow workers enhance the value of their self-worth. To produce a quality product requires full team efforts and quality teams begin with friendly players.
To sustain a healthy paycheck requires friendly attitudes because as attitudes sink, so sinks the quality of work. When product quality diminishes, so weakens the strength of your steady paycheck.
Energetic
The workers that get noticed for higher advancements normally come out of the ranks of workers that show energy toward the assigned tasks. Energy displays passion about the job. Passion attracts quality and quality receives big rewards.
Even if you do not receive a direct promotion from the energy demonstrated at a particular job, surely your energy placed on doing the job will make you stronger for gaining employment in another business.
Sometimes your energetic attitude about an assignment will raise your personal understanding to one day starting your own enterprise. Energy builds character and wealth in a large way.
Pleasant
One thing is true for all work locations, whether you work for private enterprise or public agency, there will always be change. In business, ‘Change Is Constant’ and working environments are going to change. Sometimes that may seem to have negative impact, but you must be ready for change and be prepared to go with the flow.
It is always better to have a cheery attitude by being enjoyable to be around. Good workers are nice and friendly with customers, vendors, and other workers.
Clean
Even though workplaces vary from organization to organization, when it comes to being clean it is a universal code for each employee. Positive mind and body have maintenance produce best possible results for any situation.
Sobriety is part of clean and it is something people throw around often with light meaning, but it has all to do with treating the world with respect. No matter what the job it must be done with a clean mind. A clear-headedness is what anyone would want as a customer, so wherever a person works within an organization there is always a customer somewhere in the line of the work duties. Soberness and abstinence from all drugs and alcohol during working hours is paramount!
Personal hygiene is critical toward making and sustaining a good impression with customers and fellow workers. Take care of yourself and remember that colds and other viruses too often get passed at work and school. So if you are sick, stay away from the other workers. Your supervisor would rather you stay out than making everyone else sick by coming to the workplace spreading bad germs.
Your thoughts and words have to remain just as clean. Just like viruses, bad language and bad thoughts will inevitably make for a bad work place. From top to bottom, in and out, remain clean everyday in order to meet the demands of service.
Open-minded
The learning process starts with having a mind ready to accept new things and methods. A mind that is closed will not be able to take on new processes for getting the job done. Therefore, prepare yourself ready to open up to instructions and new ways to complete a particular task.
Ask questions that related to understanding how to get the job done accurately. Open-minded workers show that they are paying attention and have sound safety practices. Open-minded workers concentrate on their work product.
A Careful Listener
Listening is important to teamwork and meeting your job assignments accurately and safely. When asking questions, do so at the appropriate points and try where possible to restate your supervisor and instructing person’s position in your own words. This way there is no room left to chance or doubt.
Do not ask questions that sound like you are trying to show off how much you know over the instructor. Remember, be courteous and use body language to indicate interest, support, and understanding. Sit-up and look alert. Look at the person speaking and make frequent eye contact. Take appropriate notes when necessary.
Extending your open-minded attitude expresses open-ended questions. Open-minded questions begin with “How”, “Why”, or “What”.
When you are sure of the task assignment, use closed-ended questions to gain very specific information to be sure you understand a previous answer. Closed-ended questions begin with “Who”, “Which”, or “When”.
Appropriately Dressed
Women and men are dressing more alike than in the past, but there remain some things that neither should wear to work.
Men – Do not wear sweat pants, sweatshirts or workout attire; shorts; sheer clothing or clothing that is excessively revealing, distracting or provocative; t-shirts with slogans, sports insignia or other writing on them, tank tops; athletic shoes, sneakers, or casual sandals.
Women – Do not wear sweat pants, sweatshirts or workout attire; shorts; sheer clothing or clothing that is excessively revealing, distracting or provocative; t-shirts with slogans, sports insignia or other writing on them; halter or tank tops; and skirts/dresses that are excessively short; athletic shoes, sneakers, or casual sandals. Watch the large hoop earrings and tattoos, because it does not have universal appeal.
It is your role and responsibility to dress appropriately because it is your job.
Always strive to project a professional image while at work and in the public eye.
Be conservative when selecting work attire. If there is doubt as to whether a piece of clothing or outfit is appropriate, do not wear it in the workplace.
Always avoid loose fitting clothing (sagging pants will not get you a promotion or more money) or items that may cause a safety hazard in the workplace.
Proper appearance includes personal hygiene. Daily grooming and bathing is required.
Take a complete look at the workplace dress information below to get an idea of the employee expectations at most organizations. However, if you are already employed you need to follow their dress code policy as described.
Business Attire – For men this would be a well-fitted business suit (not a cool daddy or pimp-like suit) with tie. For women, dresses or suits with skirts or slacks. Appropriate footwear for men includes wing tips, loafers, or rubber sole shoes with socks. For women, heels, loafers, or rubber sole shoes with socks or hosiery.
Informal Business Attire – Slightly less formal than traditional business attire. For men this would be dress pants with a dress shirt or polo-type shirt worn with a jacket but no tie or a dress shirt worn with a tie but no jacket. For women, this is a skirt or dress slacks with a dressy blouse (avoid silks, especially in warm climates) and/or sweater, or other type of top with a jacket. The intent of informal business attire is to ensure that personnel are dressed appropriately to meet with the public at a moment’s notice.
Business Casual Attire – A more casual dress, such as khakis or Dockers style twill pants and a logo polo-type shirt or other types of collared shirt or sweater (for men) or blouse, dressy tee, or sweater (for women). Professionally styled company logo shirts are required for employees who fall under this category (not t-shirts or sweatshirts). Hosiery/socks are required. Select footwear according to the type of work performed, keeping safety, comfort, and professional appearance in mind. Athletic shoes, tennis shoes, and hats are not permitted.
Non-Business Casual Attire – Casual attire, such as jeans, polo-type shirts, or other types of collared shirt or sweater (for men) or blouse, dressy tee, or sweater (for women), logo shirts and non-promotional, non-athletic fleece wear. Capri’s for women must be mid (not upper) calf. Footwear should be selected according to the type of work performed, keeping safety, comfort, and professional appearance in mind. Athletic shoes, tennis shoes, and hats are not permitted in office settings. Hosiery/socks are not required.
Uniform/Non-Climate Controlled Environments – When provided uniforms, employees must wear them in accordance with department guidelines. Where uniforms are not provided in non-climate controlled environments, such as warehouses, appropriate attire includes jeans, shorts (non-spandex, covering majority of thigh), athletic shoes or boots where required, fitted tank tops and t-shirts or sweatshirts with non offensive markings, sports, insignia, or other writing on them.
Ready to Serve
There is much opportunity in the work place when you are ‘ready to serve.’ Service is paramount in American business and that means taking on opportunities to serve others — customers and employees. By serving others, you will develop a habit of thinking of the needs of others and considering the interests of others.
Producing success comes through relationships; thereby make you ready to serve. That requires always doing what is right and fair for others – co-workers, supervisors, vendors, and customers. Treat everyone equally and working to exceed expectations.