For the first time in history, there are four different generations working side-by-side on the job. Each one has its own attitudes, perceptions and values, which can make it challenging for people from different generations to co-exist in the workplace.
When you're the youngest worker on the team, for example, older workers might not take you seriously. You could be viewed as a child who doesn't know as much, and who doesn't have enough experience or business acumen to succeed. If you're the oldest worker on the team, however, people might view you as old-fashioned and not "up with times," or they might take your input as you trying to push ideas on them.
"It's hard on the ego for baby boomers to have a younger boss," says Christine Hassler, a life coach, professional speaker and author. "Their parents taught them that seniority comes with age ... having to answer to a younger boss goes against the model they subscribed to. Not only are boomers often embarrassed and angry that they are answering to someone their child's age, they do not know how to relate to or connect with their boss and/or co-workers, which only makes them feel more separate."
Here, several workers of all ages, experiences and points of view filled in the blank on what happens when your boss is younger than you:
If you're a baby boomer working in a young environment, here are tips that will help you work effectively with a younger boss:
1. Understand the other person's point of view
If your boss is from another generation, you may have differing opinions on many things, says Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers, a career management firm. Observe his behavior to better understand what influences his management style and how you can complement it.
2. Keep an open mind
Don't assume that because they are younger, they don't know what they are doing. We all have different skill sets. No one is good at everything, says Sandi Grimm, marketing director for YouthFriends, a nonprofit organization.
3. Learn new things and take a different perspective
You'll want to do some hanging out with the kids to enjoy what they enjoy. Otherwise, they'll just see you as a fuddy-duddy and you'll be irritated by the boss and his newfangled ideas, says Stephanie Elsy, an accountant for Pop Labs, a digital media agency.
4. Listen!
Call it the hubris of youth or just the natural outcome of the self-esteem curriculum, but younger workers are deeply committed to collaboration and want to be included on decisions and strategies, says Rolfe Carawan, founder and CEO of Carawan Global Communications and Consulting. If you want to bridge the gaps, show them you're willing to invest, improve and understand.
5. Be the employee your boss does not have to manage
Bosses spend a lot of time managing younger employees who are just beginning to learn prioritization and time management, Be the employee whom your boss does not have to manage, by taking initiative. If you are an employee whom your boss does not have to think about, he will begin to notice and appreciate your experience and wisdom.
In South Africa, there are older generations from the apartheid “era” and they are currently mixing with the pre-1976 fighters. What will be expected out of this scenario???
Let’s engage this topic with positive minds!!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
CORRUPTION IN THE WORKPLACE
The whistleblower's guide
You've witnessed corruption at work and you're unsure of what to do about it. Here's what to do and how.
What is corruption?
The first thing you need to find out is if what you're dealing with is a case of corruption. Many people are afraid to speak up for fear of wrongly accusing someone and souring their professional relationship and many are convinced by the perpetrators that their dealings are legitimate. Here's how to differentiate between the two.
According to www.dictionary.com corruption can be defined as the use of a position of trust or power for dishonest gain.
According to section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (2003), the following are examples of corruption:
Theft – Stealing or removing the property of another without their permission.
Extortion – Abusing your authority in order to obtain money.
Fraud – Deceiving or tricking another individual for personal gain.
Forgery – Writing or altering someone's signature or name.
Bribery – Taking or giving someone something in return for something else.
Why people don't report corruption
Although all workers are obliged to expose corruption very few do. Many people are afraid of losing their jobs, being victimised or being labelled as an accessory to the crime. Very few are aware of the laws that prevent this from happening.
The laws involved
There are many laws aimed at the protection of whistleblowers. Many of them state very similar points, but it's best to read through all of them before planning a course of action.
The Protected Disclosures Act (2000)
The PDA, which was introduced in February 2001, protects all whistleblowers in both the private and public sector from victimisation. This Act protects you from being fired, demoted or discriminated against after reporting corruption if you have disclosed information in a lawful manner. Thoroughly read through this document before disclosing any information to anyone.
Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (2003)
According to Section 34 of this Act, it is the duty of anyone who is aware of or suspects corruption to report it to either a police official or a person of authority. Failing to do so is a criminal offence. This act also states that accepting bribes or any other form of reward from the perpetrator is a criminal offence and that remaining silent about what you have witnessed makes you an accomplice.
The Labour Relations Act (1995)
Section 189 states that no employee may be fired if an employer cannot prove that his reason for doing so was fair. Exposing corruption is not in breach of any contract and it is not a fair reason to be dismissed. If your employer does violate any of these laws, you should approach the Labour Court within 30 days.
The Employment Equity Act (1998)
This Act states that no employee may be discriminated against or victimised for any reason, which includes acting as a whistleblower.
The Code of Conduct for the Public Service
According to this code, all employees are obliged to expose corruption. Failing to do so is regarded as an offence.
How to expose corruption
Who should you report corruption to?
According to the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (2004), people in positions of authority in the public and private sectors should report corruption to the police.
The Public Service Code of Conduct states that all employees of the public service should report corruption to an appropriate authority. If they fail to do so, they will be charged as an accomplice and can be fined or imprisoned for up to 10 years.
You've witnessed corruption at work and you're unsure of what to do about it. Here's what to do and how.
What is corruption?
The first thing you need to find out is if what you're dealing with is a case of corruption. Many people are afraid to speak up for fear of wrongly accusing someone and souring their professional relationship and many are convinced by the perpetrators that their dealings are legitimate. Here's how to differentiate between the two.
According to www.dictionary.com corruption can be defined as the use of a position of trust or power for dishonest gain.
According to section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (2003), the following are examples of corruption:
Theft – Stealing or removing the property of another without their permission.
Extortion – Abusing your authority in order to obtain money.
Fraud – Deceiving or tricking another individual for personal gain.
Forgery – Writing or altering someone's signature or name.
Bribery – Taking or giving someone something in return for something else.
Why people don't report corruption
Although all workers are obliged to expose corruption very few do. Many people are afraid of losing their jobs, being victimised or being labelled as an accessory to the crime. Very few are aware of the laws that prevent this from happening.
The laws involved
There are many laws aimed at the protection of whistleblowers. Many of them state very similar points, but it's best to read through all of them before planning a course of action.
The Protected Disclosures Act (2000)
The PDA, which was introduced in February 2001, protects all whistleblowers in both the private and public sector from victimisation. This Act protects you from being fired, demoted or discriminated against after reporting corruption if you have disclosed information in a lawful manner. Thoroughly read through this document before disclosing any information to anyone.
Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (2003)
According to Section 34 of this Act, it is the duty of anyone who is aware of or suspects corruption to report it to either a police official or a person of authority. Failing to do so is a criminal offence. This act also states that accepting bribes or any other form of reward from the perpetrator is a criminal offence and that remaining silent about what you have witnessed makes you an accomplice.
The Labour Relations Act (1995)
Section 189 states that no employee may be fired if an employer cannot prove that his reason for doing so was fair. Exposing corruption is not in breach of any contract and it is not a fair reason to be dismissed. If your employer does violate any of these laws, you should approach the Labour Court within 30 days.
The Employment Equity Act (1998)
This Act states that no employee may be discriminated against or victimised for any reason, which includes acting as a whistleblower.
The Code of Conduct for the Public Service
According to this code, all employees are obliged to expose corruption. Failing to do so is regarded as an offence.
How to expose corruption
Who should you report corruption to?
According to the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (2004), people in positions of authority in the public and private sectors should report corruption to the police.
The Public Service Code of Conduct states that all employees of the public service should report corruption to an appropriate authority. If they fail to do so, they will be charged as an accomplice and can be fined or imprisoned for up to 10 years.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
AMUSING EXCUSES FOR BEING LATE TO WORK
There is no worse feeling than waking up in the morning, rested from good night's sleep, and glancing at the clock, only to do a double-take: You're late!
For most people, knowing they're running late for work strikes the fear of God within them and as a result, they move like there's a fire under their feet to get ready. They hustle, scramble, frantically throw things into a bag and are out the door to ensure a timely -- though unkempt and graceless -- arrival at the office.
But for a smaller group of people, knowing they are running late for work does absolutely nothing except stimulate their creative juices in order to make up the latest excuse as to why they are late for work -- again.
Twenty percent of workers said they arrive late to work at least once a week, according to a February 2009 CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 8,000 workers. Twelve percent said they are late at least twice a week.
One-third (33 percent) of workers blamed traffic for their tardiness, while 24 percent said lack of sleep was the culprit. Ten percent of workers said getting their kids ready for school or day care was the main reason they ran late in the morning. Other common reasons included public transportation, wardrobe issues or dealing with pets.
"While some employers tend to be more lenient with worker punctuality, 30 percent say they have terminated an employee for being late," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder.com. "Workers need to understand their company's policies on tardiness and if they are late, make sure they openly communicate with their managers. Employers have heard every excuse in the book, so honesty is the best policy."
Using your imagination
If you've decided honesty is not the best policy for you, don't try using any of the following excuses as the reason why you're late -- they've been heard before.
Here are 12 of the most outrageous excuses employees have heard for being late to work:
1. My heat was shut off so I had to stay home to keep my snake warm.
2. My husband thinks it's funny to hide my car keys before he goes to work.
3. I walked into a spider web on the way out the door and couldn't find the spider, so I had to go inside and shower again.
4. I got locked in my trunk by my son.
5. My left turn signal was out so I had to make all right turns to get to work.
6. A gurney fell out of an ambulance and delayed traffic.
7. I was attacked by a raccoon and had to stop by the hospital to make sure it wasn't rabid.
8. I feel like I'm in everyone's way if I show up on time.
9. My father didn't wake me up.
10. A groundhog bit my bike tire and made it flat.
11. My driveway washed away in the rain last night.
12. I had to go to bingo.
Follow the culture
The general rule is that you should be at your desk, working by your designated starting time. Technically, even if you're at your desk "on time" but you're still booting up your computer, saying your hellos and making a cup of coffee -- you're late.
Though you should always try your best to be punctual every morning, sometimes it's safe to observe the company culture. If you arrive to work every morning to find all of your colleagues diligently working as you're shuffling in, your tardiness will probably stand out. On the other hand, if most people filter in at their own paces -- within reason -- an occasional late arrival will probably go unnoticed.
To be on the safe side, try your best to be on time for work every day. Your boss, co-workers and reputation will thank you for it.
For most people, knowing they're running late for work strikes the fear of God within them and as a result, they move like there's a fire under their feet to get ready. They hustle, scramble, frantically throw things into a bag and are out the door to ensure a timely -- though unkempt and graceless -- arrival at the office.
But for a smaller group of people, knowing they are running late for work does absolutely nothing except stimulate their creative juices in order to make up the latest excuse as to why they are late for work -- again.
Twenty percent of workers said they arrive late to work at least once a week, according to a February 2009 CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 8,000 workers. Twelve percent said they are late at least twice a week.
One-third (33 percent) of workers blamed traffic for their tardiness, while 24 percent said lack of sleep was the culprit. Ten percent of workers said getting their kids ready for school or day care was the main reason they ran late in the morning. Other common reasons included public transportation, wardrobe issues or dealing with pets.
"While some employers tend to be more lenient with worker punctuality, 30 percent say they have terminated an employee for being late," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder.com. "Workers need to understand their company's policies on tardiness and if they are late, make sure they openly communicate with their managers. Employers have heard every excuse in the book, so honesty is the best policy."
Using your imagination
If you've decided honesty is not the best policy for you, don't try using any of the following excuses as the reason why you're late -- they've been heard before.
Here are 12 of the most outrageous excuses employees have heard for being late to work:
1. My heat was shut off so I had to stay home to keep my snake warm.
2. My husband thinks it's funny to hide my car keys before he goes to work.
3. I walked into a spider web on the way out the door and couldn't find the spider, so I had to go inside and shower again.
4. I got locked in my trunk by my son.
5. My left turn signal was out so I had to make all right turns to get to work.
6. A gurney fell out of an ambulance and delayed traffic.
7. I was attacked by a raccoon and had to stop by the hospital to make sure it wasn't rabid.
8. I feel like I'm in everyone's way if I show up on time.
9. My father didn't wake me up.
10. A groundhog bit my bike tire and made it flat.
11. My driveway washed away in the rain last night.
12. I had to go to bingo.
Follow the culture
The general rule is that you should be at your desk, working by your designated starting time. Technically, even if you're at your desk "on time" but you're still booting up your computer, saying your hellos and making a cup of coffee -- you're late.
Though you should always try your best to be punctual every morning, sometimes it's safe to observe the company culture. If you arrive to work every morning to find all of your colleagues diligently working as you're shuffling in, your tardiness will probably stand out. On the other hand, if most people filter in at their own paces -- within reason -- an occasional late arrival will probably go unnoticed.
To be on the safe side, try your best to be on time for work every day. Your boss, co-workers and reputation will thank you for it.
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