6 Accountability and Workplace Relationships

RESPONSIBLE RESPECTFUL INVOLVED

After studying these topics, you will benefit by: Defining and linking concepts of empowerment, personal responsibility, and accountability Explaining how workplace relationships affect workplace success Identifying appropriate and inappropriate relationships with your boss, colleagues, executives, vendors, and customers Justifying how best to respond to a negative workplace relationship Stating basic expectations regarding work-related social functions, situations, and office issues

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT Empowerment: pushing power and decision making to the individuals who are closest to the customer in an effort to increase: Quality Customer satisfaction Profit

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT Employees making a direct contribution to the company’s activities results in: Improved performance Increased quality Improved customer satisfaction

ACCOUNTABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT Responsibility: employees accepting the power being given to them and the obligation to perform Accountability: reports back on accepted responsibility Employees are accountable for performing their best to: Each other Bosses Customers Investors

TOPIC SITUATION Christine’s Responsibility TOPIC RESPONSE: What additional activities could Christine perform to demonstrate she is responsible and accountable?

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY Each employee must take personal responsibility for his or her performance Be on time Do not take sick leave when well Do what is expected During work hours, work Not being accountable to your coworkers leads to poor workplace relationships

WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS Consistently behave professionally and respectfully to all Socializing with coworkers is both expected and acceptable to a degree Do not make workplace relationships your only circle of friends Difficult to separate work from personal issues Creates employee distrust Potential for favoritism

WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS Workplace relationships include: Coworkers Bosses/executives Investors Vendors Customers

EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS Network with these individuals at: Meetings Corporate events Social functions In meetings: Do not dominate a discussion Politely introduce and do not interrupt Objective is to create a favorable and memorable impression Do not speak poorly of anyone Let executive guide the conversation

EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS When networking with senior officials and executives: Be positive Project a professional image Highlight the successes of your department Be humble and gracious

TALK IT OUT Why should you not speak poorly of others when networking?

BOSS STYLES Types of bosses: Bosses are human Good boss Incompetent boss Abusive boss Bosses are human They are learning and developing their skills They are not perfect Assume they are doing their best No matter what type of boss you have, give your personal best

YOUR BOSS Good Boss: one who is respectful and fair and will groom you for a promotion Be thankful but cautious Keep the relationship professional While it is acceptable to share important activities occurring in your personal life with your boss, never divulge too much personal information Take advantage of your good boss Use your boss as a professional mentor Imitate his or her professional qualities

YOUR BOSS Incompetent Boss: one who does not know how to do his or her job No matter how bad the boss, remain professional and respectful Make your boss look good Demonstrates maturity Diminishes tension between you and your boss

YOUR BOSS The Bad or Incompetent Boss (cont.) Boss receives credit for your hard work If boss is a poor performer, others in the company will know Your good work will get noticed by others Personality conflict Do not let personal feelings affect performance Stay positive and be of value to your boss Do not bad-mouth boss Learn what not to do when you become a boss

YOUR BOSS Abusive Boss: one who is constantly belittling or intimidating employees Behavior is based on low self-esteem If tolerable, do your best with the situation If intolerable: Remain professional Do not go to boss’s boss Document facts and incidents Seek confidential advice from HR department If unresolved, confidentially seek new job Employees have rights against discrimination and harassment

COLLEAGUES Be friendly and respectful to all Be cautious Do not base friendships on work-related issues When close work friendships occur, others assume favoritism When personal friendships go sour, it will affect workplace performance Awkward for both parties

TOPIC SITUATION Julian’s Response to Gossip TOPIC RESPONSE: Are there other ways Julian could have appropriately responded or handled the situation?

OTHERS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION Network with others within the organization Keep all interactions positive and respectful Defend all employees Do not contribute to gossip and rumors Corporate (organizational) culture: the company’s personality reflected through its employees’ behavior Employee morale: the attitude employees have toward the company

WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE If you harmed the other person (intentionally or unintentionally), apologize immediately If apology is accepted, demonstrate regret by changing your behavior If apology is not accepted, move on and demonstrate regret by changing (improving) your behavior

WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE (cont.) If the relationship is lost, do not hold a grudge; continue being polite, respectful, and professional to the offended co-worker If your offended co-worker acts rudely or inappropriately, do not retaliate by returning the poor behavior; respond with kindness If rude and inappropriate behavior impacts performance or is hostile or harassing, document the situation and inform boss

TOPIC SITUATION Monique’s Relationship TOPIC RESPONSE: What steps should Monique take at this point?

DATING AT WORK Many companies discourage co-workers from dating each other Dating your boss is highly inappropriate Use caution when dating vendors/customers You are representing the company 24/7 Do not share confidential information Do not speak poorly of company/co-workers It is best to keep your romantic life separate from work

THINK ABOUT IT Would you secretly date someone at work? What would be the risk? What would be the potential harm?

SOCIALIZING Picnics, potlucks, and other celebrations Some enjoy social functions; others do not It is rude to not attend/acknowledge functions taking place at the workplace Stop by, even briefly, to send regards Attendance at work-related social events occurring outside of the worksite is optional Use caution when alcohol is being served It is best to refrain from alcohol

SHARED WORK AREAS Cubicles and open work areas Respect privacy of each workspace as if it were an individual office In shared work areas, avoid: Loud noises Smells Distractions that interrupt or annoy others Stand at entrance to work area and wait for invitation to enter work area Do not take or use items without permission

TALK IT OUT What additional distractions should employees avoid creating in a common work area?

BREAKS AND THE BREAK ROOM Contribute to community coffee/snack fund if you partake Do not eat others’ food being stored in the refrigerator Throw out your unused or spoiled food at the end of each workweek Clean up after yourself Leave things clean for the next person

MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES Use caution when fundraising to co-workers Gift-giving is not required Give discreetly if you choose to give Group gifts for Boss’s Day or Administrative Assistants’ Day are common Not mandatory to give If you decline to participate, no negative comments If you receive a gift, immediately send a thank-you note

MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES (Cont.) Good employees take ownership of common work areas Practice common courtesy Refill empty coffee pot Refill copy machine when low on paper When office machine is jammed, do not leave problem for someone else to solve If unable to solve, alert someone who can fix the problem