1. Beginning to Work It Out
Workplace Readiness Soft Skills Program for Young Adults
Lesson 3:
Unspoken Rules of the Workplace
Module I: Self Awareness rev © 2016 by Steve Parese, Ed.D.
2/5/2019

2. What do YOU think this saying might mean?
Pearl of Wisdom
“Business is business. It’s nothing personal!”
What do YOU think this saying might mean?
2/5/2019

3. Today’s Lesson 1. Read another story about Troy
In today’s lesson, we will discuss unspoken expectations that many employers hold, and talk about how our personal beliefs can cause us trouble at work.
1. Read another story about Troy
2. Explore six common unspoken work rules, compared to our personal beliefs
3. Close with a Review & MiniQuiz
2/5/2019

4. Questions after reading:
Troy’s Story 3
Let’s read along with the story.
“A few days later, Troy was watching TV…
Questions after reading:
What are Troy’s beliefs about his behavior? Does his mother seem to agree or disagree?
Troy’s supervisor has a different perspective. What is it?
What do you think about Troy’s idea to “teach them all a lesson?”
2/5/2019

5. Unspoken Rules of Work
Employers have lots of written policies and procedures, but they also have their “unspoken rules.” These expectations seem like common sense to them, so they seldom bother explaining them outright.
Unfortunately, new workers don’t always understand this, and often violate these rules without even knowing it.
2/5/2019

6. Common Sense Baby Sitter Rules
Imagine that you’ve hired a babysitter for the evening.
What are some common sense expectations of him/her?

7. Employer’s Expectations
While these rules vary between workplaces, some of the most common ones are:
A. When at work, put work first. Don’t let home or personal issues get in the way.
B. Do what you are asked to do, even if you don’t really want to.
C. Do your best to fit in. Don’t act or dress TOO different.
D. Take some initiative when something needs to be done. Don’t wait to be asked.
E. Sometimes, work is work. Don’t expect it to always be fun.
F. Stay out of other people’s problems, unless you are asked.
2/5/2019

8. You’re an All-Star linebacker on your high school football team.
TACKLE HIM !
TACKLE HIM!!
TACKLE HIM!!!

9. The basketball coach comes up and says, “I need you on my team!”
TACKLE HIM!

10. the rules & skills need for work/professional life.
Players learn to “CODE-SWITCH” from the rules of football to the rules of basketball.
Every successful employee learns to “CODE-SWITCH” from the rules & skills needed for home life --->
the rules & skills need for work/professional life.

11. Personal vs Professional
Workplace expectations are often very different than those we use in our home lives. In fact, the rules of work are sometimes the exact opposite!
A. When at work, put work first. Don’t let home or personal issues get in the way.
B. Do what you are asked to do, even if you don’t really want to.
C. Do your best to fit in. Don’t act or dress TOO different.
D. Take some initiative when something needs to be done. Don’t wait to be asked.
E. Sometimes, work is work. Don’t expect it to always be fun.
F. Stay out of other people’s problems, unless you are asked.
1. Life is short, so make it fun.
2. Friends (or family) come first, no matter what.
3. Hard work doesn’t pay, so just do the minimum to get by.
4. You should be able to count on friends for help in problems.
5. How you look is your own business.
6. No one has the right to boss you around.
2/5/2019

12. Brandon Work Conflict Examples: What belief does Brandon have?
Brandon works at the front desk of a major hotel chain. He has a disagreement with his supervisor, Susan, when she asks him to remove some of his jewelry.
“Who is she to tell me I can’t wear an nose ring? What does that have to do with answering phones or checking people in?”
What belief does Brandon have?
“How you look is your own business.”
2/5/2019

13. Supervisor Susan Work Conflict Examples:
“He’s a good worker, but he doesn’t understand about company image. Nose rings and tattoos really turns off some of our guests, and in our business, you have to keep up a certain image.”
What work rule is Susan using?
“Do your best to fit in. Don’t act or dress TOO different.”
2/5/2019

14. Work Conflict Examples:
Lori
Lori works as a check-out clerk in a supermarket. Her supervisor (Bill) warns her to stay off her cell phone except on breaks....
“It’s a stupid rule! It’s not like I’m making customers wait. I’m doing my assigned job like I’m supposed to, right? Besides, he’s not my father, so he can’t tell me what to do.”
What belief does Lori have?
“No one has the right to boss you around.”
“Hard work doesn’t pay…”
2/5/2019

15. Supervisor Bill Work Conflict Examples: What work rule is Bill using?
“She’s always bending the rules, like they don’t apply to her. And you can always find something to do to help out -- straighten shelves, wipe down counters. Like my first boss told me years ago: If you got time to lean, you got time to clean!”
What work rule is Bill using?
“Do what you are asked to do...”
“Take some initiative…”
2/5/2019

16. Jonathan Work Conflict Examples: What belief does Jonathan have?
Jonathan answers phones at a call center. His shift manager, Rebecca, writes him up for being late to work and taking an extra 10 minutes on break.
“I don’t know what she’s complaining about! This job is boring, they’re lucky I show up at all! What do they expect?”
What belief does Jonathan have?
“Life is short, so make it fun.”
2/5/2019

17. Work Conflict Examples:
Supervisor Rebecca
“He just doesn’t get it. He’s constantly slacking off. What was he expecting when he got hired? To be entertained? Nobody loves their job all the time, but you do your best anyway.”
What work rule is Rebecca using?
“Work is work. Don’t expect it to always be fun.”
2/5/2019

18. APPLYING THE SKILL
It is easy to react personally to a professional problem, especially if we’re using our home beliefs at work.
Choose a PERSONAL BELIEF, then discuss:
• Behavior it could justify at work
• Why supervisor would disagree
• Possible consequences
2/5/2019

19. Lesson Summary
Today’s lesson taught us about the confusing and often unspoken rules of work. We learned how using our personal beliefs with professional problem can lead us astray.
Our next lesson will teach us to recognize our warning signs and improve our emotional self-management skills.
2/5/2019

20. Beginning to Work It Out
Key Point #1
The workplace has its own set of unspoken rules that guide expectations of behavior at work. Employers seldom explain these directly, but expect us to abide by them anyway.
2/5/2019

21. Beginning to Work It Out
Key Point #2
Serious problems can happen when we use our personal beliefs to judge the appropriate-ness of behavior at work. Our home beliefs are often very different from the attitudes employers expect.
2/5/2019

22. Let’s complete the MiniQuiz in the workbook and review it as a group.√
Let’s complete the MiniQuiz in the workbook and review it as a group.
2/5/2019

23. Today’s Pearl of Wisdom:
“Business is business It’s nothing personal!”
How does this fit in with our lesson?
What is ONE THING you learned in this class that you will remember after leaving?
2/5/2019