Thursday, January 14, 2010
Two little things that will annoy your boss
Regardless of how good you are at your job, there are two tiny things that are going to get on your boss' nerves, potentially leading to a smaller raise than you would like or expect. And if there are other issues with your performance, these aren't going to help you any.
1. lateness
Punctuality is such a minor thing, but many people look at it as an indicator of how seriously you take your job. Tardiness is especially bothersome if others rely on you in order to get their own work done (hello, editorial assistants). A few minutes late here or there isn't likely to be an issue, especially in an industry like publishing, where flex time is common. But even with flex time, coming in at 10:30 is pushing it. And you should always be punctual for meetings. Lateness is often perceived as lack of respect for the job and for your coworkers.
2. personal phone and internet use
A personal phone call here or there is fine. Even checking eBay for the status of your bid isn't a problem. But it is an issue if every time your boss walks by your desk you're doing something other than work. And don't think she doesn't notice you talking in a hushed voice or quickly closing that browser window. If all she sees is you doing your own thing, she's going to wonder if you're getting your work done.
Are there any other faux pas you would add to this list?
1. lateness
Punctuality is such a minor thing, but many people look at it as an indicator of how seriously you take your job. Tardiness is especially bothersome if others rely on you in order to get their own work done (hello, editorial assistants). A few minutes late here or there isn't likely to be an issue, especially in an industry like publishing, where flex time is common. But even with flex time, coming in at 10:30 is pushing it. And you should always be punctual for meetings. Lateness is often perceived as lack of respect for the job and for your coworkers.
2. personal phone and internet use
A personal phone call here or there is fine. Even checking eBay for the status of your bid isn't a problem. But it is an issue if every time your boss walks by your desk you're doing something other than work. And don't think she doesn't notice you talking in a hushed voice or quickly closing that browser window. If all she sees is you doing your own thing, she's going to wonder if you're getting your work done.
Are there any other faux pas you would add to this list?
- Corinna vanGerwen
About Me
Corinna vanGerwen
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Corinna vanGerwen is a freelance editor and writer. She has worked as senior editor at Style at Home, senior design editor at Cottage Life and is the former Canadian Director of Ed2010. She has also held the position of operations manager at a boutique PR agency, where she handled strategic planning and daily operations.
Most Recent Blog Comment
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| Corinna says: | |
Thank you, Alicia!... |
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I notice LE that you "expect your employers to be savvy". Why presume they're not? In the fast-evolving mag. industry few publishers or editors remain mystified by social networking and most use it (or employ someone to use it) for brand dev. and driving site traffic.
Magazines are so understaffed that those who abuse FB become obvious (like the phone chatterers before them). These people hold up others waiting for copy or checking .... Again, no quarrel here, though, with legitimate FB use.
There is quickly becoming a blur between people's personal and professional lives. So while I agree that you shouldn't be on Facebook all day for purely social reasons, some people do need to be on there all day at work to connect with their audience.
Yes, there's some personal stuff mixed in, but all in all I expect my employers to be savvy enough to know FB's potential.
Facebook, Facebook, Facebook.
Try posting on your break or at lunch. If you keep FB up as a tab, the msg. is: not serious about job.