What have you learnt over the years about the workplace? (wherever that may be!)

dawyldthing

try and work out your bosses, and why in particular they are like they are. Often you will wonder how they have got the job in many jobs, but often its through recommendations.

If you find something you don't like - try and diplomatically point it out as it may need to so it will change.

Pay rises are few and far between - especially in the private sector.

Write every single hour down for what you have worked - in every job they have tried to do me over in one way or another but if its written down somewhere it should jog their memory and pay you the hours you are owed - seen as we don't work for the sake of our health.

Make sure you have some you time, and in the first few months try and not say no to the extra shifts so that you get your probationary period done. After it is done still try and do the shifts as needed, but then you can diplomatically say 'i've been doing x amount of hours for x months, can our contracts be extended/ given more hours so you get more holiday pay when you are on holiday

Check your contract - in many places if you don't take your holiday you don't get paid it, but if there getting you to work every day point this out as they may (as they have with us this year) give you the money for it.

If you don't agree with something speak up - we were getting 50p an hour extra for working Christmas day until people have spoken up and now we got double time.

Training - get as much as you can paid for, you'll always have the qualifications then.

Never trust anyone - be suspitious about everyone. Back your back up in whatever way you can, over the smallest things, as you never want to be in trouble cos its just more paperwork.

If your boss tends to stick to office hours turn your phone on silent when your on your days off and reply when you can - if it works for them then it should work for you (as often they don't see it as a 2 way switch)

Always follow everything by the book - cos if its in the book then it shouldn't be wrong.

Listen to advice - you may not always agree with it, but generally its being said for a reason

Kirri

dontone wrote: »

my last job was like this, only it was 4 men. 2 of them who had worked together for about 10 years+.
we all worked in the same office. The MD and his son who was the sales manager, had bitter arguments not related to work. The atmosphere was terrible because the MD also had health issues, which he blamed everybody else for and he was very bad tempered.
When i had the interview, there were 2 p/t jobs available, office clerk and a cleaner. No-one had applied for the cleaning job, so they asked me if I minded just keeping the office tidy occassionally - which I said ok. Turned out I was expected to make the tea as soon as I walked through the door (they would wait for about 3 hours for me to show up, because "they didn't make tea") I had to clean the kitchen, the toilet (not much fun when someone wipes poop on the door handle) hoover up and dust. The kitchen was a disgusting pit and a never ending battle with dirty dishes. It was a food preperation factory too :eek: I was glad when they laid me off after 6 months - I hated every second of it.
Always trust you instinct in an interview - If you get bad vibes just being sat in the office, turn the job down.

and to think I've always found men in offices much easier going! Your job sounded even worse than mine!!

I'm now about to start looking for a new job and dreading it!!!! I still am shocked about how nasty some people can be when there is really no need for it.

dontone

Kirri wrote: »

and to think I've always found men in offices much easier going! Your job sounded even worse than mine!!

I'm now about to start looking for a new job and dreading it!!!! I still am shocked about how nasty some people can be when there is really no need for it.

I found that too, until I worked there. I was just a skivvy, and me and another girl even had to go and hoover a house one of them was renting out. TBH I was glad to go and do that because MD and son were having a huge barney at each other, the son was in tears because the MD was so cruel with him, and I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me.
Got a bit of justice in the end, because they let the house get so cold, the pipes froze up and the ceiling caved in :rotfl:
If they are reading this - I just want to say "Serves you right!!"

**Juice**

fedster wrote: »

Last 1 from me, never attend work xmas parties, i have never understood how people can go to such parties even though your colleagues who you dont like are attending, your Supervisor who is an idiot is attending, people who will galdly stab you in the back at work are attending, why is socialising with these people at work a good thing,its just fake behaviour.

I actually think you should go to work parties, if you want to be well thought of by your colleagues/bosses BUT not drink or only have a couple - there's always that one person who gets absolutely wasted and makes a fool of themselves, make sure it isn't you.

**Juice**

Ok mine are:

Take advantage of whatever opportunities you can (whether that's who you know or what you can get involved with).
Try not to make any enemies at work and don't get involved in office gossip, it nearly always ends in trouble.
If you work extra hours/do extra work there will be an expectation that you do it all the time so only take on something you're prepared to do on a regular basis. I hate to sound negative but I've found that if you consistently work hard and do a good job, you just get more stuff given to you, whereas those that are a bit lazy/make mistakes don't get given other things as they're "rubbish".
I tend to keep my work life and personal life as seperate as possible - I'm happy to do small talk but won't divulge anything deeper. Like has been said before, no matter how much I've been on good terms with people at work I've rarely had anything to with any of them ourside of work or when I left (with a couple of exceptions, and one which went very wrong).
Don't ever feel guilty about leaving or seeking another opportunity as chances are your managers wouldn't in the same situation.

Carl31

Things i have learnt:

Older people seem to have this view that to be a good employee, you have to dedicate your life and every hour possible working for employer, even at risk of your own health

Loyalty to employees come much further down the list than shareholder gain

Younger people work smarter, not harder, except those that work lazier

The ethic of 'work' seems to evolve almost constantly, now days work/life balance is promoted a lot more (for the better i must add)

marlasinger

- Coworkers are just that. They are not your friends, and should be treated at arms length. Remember: "You can be friendly, but you can't be friends."

- Stay out of office politics, and don't offer any strong opinion about the goings-on in the office

- Cover your a**e, as someone will try to dump you in it at some point

- Don't expect loyalty, regardless of how many hours you put in

- Leave work at the door when you go home in the evening

- Don't take all the silly office-interactions so seriously; just treat them as something to tolerate during the day

Carl31

marlasinger wrote: »

- Coworkers are just that. They are not your friends, and should be treated at arms length. Remember: "You can be friendly, but you can't be friends."

i strongly disagree with that, some of my best friends i have met through various jobs

i believe that if you are of the mentality of performing a certain skill or task all day, then you must have something in common with people you work with, more than you think

Fluffi

fedster wrote: »

Last 1 from me, never attend work xmas parties, i have never understood how people can go to such parties even though your colleagues who you dont like are attending, your Supervisor who is an idiot is attending, people who will galdly stab you in the back at work are attending, why is socialising with these people at work a good thing,its just fake behaviour.

Bosses and peers notice who does and doesn't turn up to the Christmas and other parties. Unless you're a very valuable member of staff, its all part of the management game for figuring out who is promotable and who goes the extra mile, therefore make sure you go, you mingle, pretend to drink (otherwise you'll get thought of as the boring non-drinker and no one will share any gossip with you) and pretend to like and socialise with your colleagues and bosses.

It is fake behaviour, but its good for your career. Keep your eyes on the prize!

jc808

fedster wrote: »

Last 1 from me, never attend work xmas parties, i have never understood how people can go to such parties even though your colleagues who you dont like are attending, your Supervisor who is an idiot is attending, people who will galdly stab you in the back at work are attending, why is socialising with these people at work a good thing,its just fake behaviour.

Depends - if your going to a good party with loads of good mates and work colleagues (And some !!!!s to be fair) like my last place its great

But I was a contractor - and no way would I go to 'my companys' Xmas party - horrid things :yecch: