Chapter 6

Accountability and Workplace

Relationships

“You cannot escape the responsibility of

tomorrow by evading it today.”Abraham Lincoln

OBJECTIVES

Define and link the concepts of empowerment, responsibility, and accountability

Describe how best to deal with your boss Describe how to respond when a workplace

relationship turns negative Identify appropriate and inappropriate

relationships with your boss, colleagues, executives, and customers

Identify basic workplace expectations regarding social functions and gift-giving

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

EMPOWERMENTEmployees’ Direct Contribution

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

EMPOWERMENT

Responsibility—employees accepting the power being given to them and the obligation to perform

Accountability—reports back on accepted responsibility Employees are accountable to perform their

best to: Each other Bosses Customers Investors

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:CoworkersBosses/executives InvestorsVendors Customers

EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS

May network during: Meetings Corporate events Social functions

EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS

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

TALK IT OUT

Why should you not speak poorly of others when

networking?

YOUR BOSS

Types of bosses: 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 goodDemonstrates maturityDiminishes tension between

you and your boss

YOUR BOSSThe 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 HRM

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

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

1. If you harmed the other person (intentionally or unintentionally), apologize immediately

2. If apology is accepted, demonstrate regret by changing your behavior

3. If apology is not accepted, move on and demonstrate regret by changing (improving) your behavior

WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE (cont.)

4. If the relationship is lost, do not hold a grudge; continue being polite, respectful, and professional to the offended co-worker

5. If your offended co-worker acts rudely or inappropriately, do not retaliate by returning the poor behavior; respond with kindness

6. If rude and inappropriate behavior impacts performance or is hostile or harassing, document the situation and inform boss

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

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 are distractions that employees should avoid doing 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 discretely if you choose to give Group gifts for Boss’s Day or Secretary’s

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