Chapter 3, What Your Employer Expects

Loyalty refers to the quality of being faithful, committed, and dedicated to a person or organization. In the context of the workplace, loyalty involves being devoted and trustworthy towards coworkers and the employer. It implies supporting and standing by them, maintaining confidentiality, and working towards the common goals and success of the team and the organization. Therefore, the statement that loyalty means being faithful to coworkers and the employer is true.

Employers have certain expectations from their employees, which include being courteous and well groomed. These qualities contribute to a positive work environment and professional image. Being courteous helps in maintaining good relationships with colleagues and clients, while being well groomed reflects professionalism and attention to detail. Therefore, it is expected that workers possess these qualities in order to meet the standards set by the employer.

Working quickly and efficiently is indeed one of the performance goals of an employee. This means that employees should strive to complete their tasks in a timely manner while also ensuring that the quality of their work remains high. By working efficiently, employees can maximize their productivity and contribute to the overall success of the organization. Additionally, being able to work quickly and efficiently can also demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedication to one's job.

When an employee loafs on the job, they are not performing their assigned tasks or utilizing their work time effectively. This means that they are not contributing to the productivity and output expected from them, which in turn leads to a loss of valuable time for the employer. As the employer is paying the employee for their time and expects them to fulfill their job responsibilities, any time not spent on work can be seen as time being stolen from the employer. Therefore, the statement is true.

Having a positive attitude is an important expectation that an employer has from their employees. A positive attitude can contribute to a healthy work environment, better teamwork, and increased productivity. It also reflects professionalism and a willingness to overcome challenges. Employees with a positive attitude are more likely to be motivated, adaptable, and focused on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect employees to have a positive attitude in the workplace.

When a person is absent from work, it is likely that their responsibilities and tasks will need to be taken over by their colleagues or team members. This can result in an increased workload for others, as they may have to cover the absent person's duties in addition to their own. This can cause stress and pressure on the remaining employees, potentially leading to decreased productivity or efficiency. Therefore, the statement that when a person is absent from work it causes extra work for other people is true.

This statement is false because people with positive attitudes generally tend to have better interpersonal relationships and get along well with others. Positive attitudes often create a positive and welcoming environment, making it easier for people to connect and build relationships. People with positive attitudes are typically more open-minded, empathetic, and supportive, which contributes to better interactions and harmony with others.

The ability to set assignment priorities is considered to be part of organizational skills because it involves effectively managing one's time and resources, prioritizing tasks based on their importance and urgency, and efficiently completing them in a timely manner. Being able to prioritize assignments allows individuals to stay organized, meet deadlines, and achieve their goals in a systematic and efficient manner. Therefore, it can be concluded that the given statement is true.

The correct answer is "gets along well with coworkers". This means that a cooperative employee is someone who has good relationships and works well with their colleagues. They are able to collaborate effectively, communicate openly, and support one another in achieving common goals. This trait is highly valued in the workplace as it promotes a positive and harmonious work environment, which can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction for all team members.

Cooperation is the ability to work well with others towards a common goal. It involves being able to communicate effectively, listen to others' perspectives, and contribute positively to a team or group. Cooperation is important in both personal and professional settings, as it helps build strong relationships, promotes collaboration, and enhances productivity. It is a valuable skill that allows individuals to navigate conflicts, share responsibilities, and achieve collective success.

A dependable worker is someone who can be relied upon to consistently perform their duties and meet expectations. Employers value such workers and often reward them with more responsibility, opportunities for advancement, and increased pay. This is because dependable workers contribute to the overall success and productivity of the organization.

Personal appearance can have a significant impact on a worker's success. When an individual presents themselves well, it creates a positive impression on others, including colleagues, superiors, and clients. Good personal grooming, appropriate attire, and overall professionalism can enhance one's credibility, confidence, and trustworthiness. Additionally, a well-groomed appearance reflects self-discipline and attention to detail, qualities that are highly valued in the workplace. Overall, a worker's personal appearance can contribute to their success by influencing how they are perceived and the opportunities that come their way.

Constructive criticism refers to the act of providing feedback or suggestions in a helpful and positive manner. It involves pointing out areas for improvement or suggesting alternative approaches to a task or situation. This can be beneficial as it allows individuals to learn and grow, ultimately leading to better outcomes. The other options, courtesy, honesty, and attitudes, do not specifically relate to the concept of being told or shown a better way to do a task.

Employees should accept tasks they would rather not do and perform them as well as they would any other tasks. This approach demonstrates professionalism, adaptability, and a willingness to contribute to the team's success. Complaining or letting everyone know they dislike the tasks may create a negative work environment and hinder productivity. Leaving the tasks for someone else to do may not be a responsible or efficient solution. Therefore, accepting the tasks pleasantly and performing them to the best of their abilities is the most appropriate course of action.

Initiative refers to the ability to take charge and act independently, without being prompted or directed by others. In the context of the given statement, someone who is looking for new skills to learn on the job is displaying initiative because they are taking the proactive step of seeking out opportunities for self-improvement and growth. This shows a willingness to go above and beyond their assigned tasks and take ownership of their own professional development.

Punctuality refers to the quality of being on time. It is the act of being prompt and adhering to scheduled appointments or deadlines. Punctuality is an important trait that reflects a person's reliability, professionalism, and respect for others' time. It demonstrates a person's ability to manage their time effectively and fulfill their commitments. Being punctual is highly valued in various aspects of life, such as work, school, and personal relationships, as it promotes efficiency, productivity, and trustworthiness.

Working successfully on a team requires individuals to prioritize the team's goals over their own personal goals. This promotes collaboration, cooperation, and a collective effort towards achieving the team's objectives. By putting the team's goals ahead of individual goals, team members can work together towards a common purpose and maximize their overall effectiveness. Therefore, the statement that putting your goals ahead of the team's goals is a key to working successfully on a team is false.

Courtesy is the correct answer because it refers to displaying good manners and showing concern for other people. It involves being polite, respectful, and considerate towards others. This behavior is important in maintaining positive social interactions and creating a harmonious environment.

Attitudes refer to the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves towards certain situations, people, or things. A person's outlook on life is influenced by their attitudes, which can be positive or negative. Attitudes shape a person's perspective, beliefs, and actions, and can greatly impact their overall happiness and success in life. Therefore, attitudes are the most appropriate choice to explain a person's outlook on life.

The correct answer is absenteeism policy. This answer suggests that the statement is related to a policy that addresses the issue of absenteeism, emphasizing the significance of regular attendance. This policy likely outlines guidelines, consequences, and measures to encourage employees or students to attend regularly.

Being three minutes late once in a while may seem insignificant, but it can actually have an impact on the employer. Punctuality is important in the workplace as it affects productivity, teamwork, and overall efficiency. Even occasional lateness can disrupt schedules, cause delays, and create a negative impression. Employers rely on their employees to be punctual to ensure smooth operations and maintain a professional work environment. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that being three minutes late once in a while will make little difference to the employer.

A job evaluation is not an oral review of an employee's job performance. It is a systematic process used to assess the relative worth or value of a job within an organization. It involves analyzing various aspects of a job such as its responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required, and assigning a value or ranking to the job based on these factors. Job evaluations are typically conducted using standardized methods or tools, and they are used to determine fair and equitable compensation for employees based on the value of their jobs.

Honesty is the correct answer because it involves doing the assigned job and not wasting time. Being honest means being truthful and sincere in one's actions, which includes being dedicated to completing tasks and not engaging in time-wasting activities. This trait is important in maintaining a strong work ethic and ensuring that responsibilities are fulfilled efficiently and effectively.