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Three Ways to Show You Appreciate Your Co-Workers

By Job Journey on Monday, November 14, 2016

Positive relationships in the workplace have never been more important than in today’s fast-paced and competitive marketplace. At the end of the day, your success often depends on your co-worker’s willingness to partner with you. So it’s essential that your colleagues feel you are thankful for all they do.

Three Ways To Say Thanks
It helps to pay attention to the type of thanks that best resonates with your teammates. Then, consider which of these would appeal most to them as individuals.

1. Verbal Attention
Most people love compliments, especially when they are genuine. Just saying “I really appreciate all you did for this project” can make someone’s day. It’s even better if you do so within earshot of the boss, such as a compliment passed along in a staff meeting.

2. Notes of Appreciation
Some people are embarrassed by any kind of public display of attention. It’s just the way they are built. For those co-workers, consider sending an email and copying the boss, if your team has access.

If a co-worker has really gone an extra mile so that your whole team can succeed, consider sending a greeting card or eCard to make them feel appreciated.

3. Small Acts of Kindness
Every workplace has days when one person on a team is deluged with tasks, works late, and feels under pressure. That’s when a random act of kindness is a perfect way to show how you value their efforts.

It can be as simple as offering them a hot cup of coffee, a cold bottle of water, or their favorite candy bar from the vending machine.

Thankfulness is Contagious
Don’t be surprised if your thankfulness comes back to you in unexpected ways. Thankfulness tends to be contagious, and your co-workers will likely be inspired to pass thanks along.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

At Work

Be Thankful: How to Appreciate Your Job

By Job Journey on Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s a time of year when many people consider all they are thankful for, like family, shelter, and friends. When you count up your blessings, do you include your job? Even if your current job isn’t perfect, it is something for which you should be thankful. If you’re struggling to appreciate your job, take a look at these tips to help alter your thinking.

Appreciate your perspective.
Remember, you control your perspective. That means your attitude – and yours alone – shapes the way you think about the situation you’re in. It also means you’re the only one who can make yourself enjoy your job. So, take a few moments every morning to remember the things you enjoy about your job and start your day off with the right attitude.

Appreciate your contributions.
You contribute a lot to your employer. If you’re struggling to find meaning in your work or are having trouble enjoying your job, take a moment to consider what you bring to your workplace. Take an inventory of your talents, skills, and personality, and remind yourself that you are a valuable employee. Then, shift your focus and contribute even more. Make an extra effort to voice great ideas, and put in a little extra participation when you can. Chances are your increased efforts and positive attitude will be noticed and maybe even rewarded.

Appreciate what you receive.
Even though it may not always seem like it, your job gives back to you in many ways. Your income isn’t the only thing you get from your work. Take a moment to make a list of the things you receive from your workplace, like health insurance, benefits, time off, or teambuilding opportunities. Does your workplace offer a gym for employees, or bonuses during the holidays? Do you have flexible work hours? Does your employer provide coffee in the mornings? Even that is a benefit you may not have noticed.

Appreciate your alone time.
Taking breaks during the work day can really help you unwind and let go of stress. If your workplace allows, take advantage of your break time every day. Even getting away from your desk for five minutes to step outside, make a phone call, or grab a snack can be enough of a mental break to get your head back in the game. Don’t forget to leave all of your emails and work behind for those few minutes. Your time away from your desk or work station may help you relax and remind you to appreciate a few moments of quiet time during a busy work day.

Appreciate your co-workers.
When you contribute toward a pleasant work environment, you also help your co-workers appreciate their job. Don’t participate in gossip, as it only spreads negativity. Instead, minimize your time with those whose personalities clash with your own and spend time with people you can help and befriend. Have fun at work by inviting your co-workers to lunch or keeping up with their life outside the workplace. When you get along with your co-workers, it not only makes for a more enjoyable work environment but can also help the team’s overall morale.

Appreciate work-life balance.
When your work day ends, make sure you don’t take it home with you. Mentally check out of your job before heading home for the day. A recent study from Good Technology revealed that 80% of people continue working after they leave the office, and checking emails is the biggest culprit. It’s okay to enjoy your work, but you need to find a balance between your job and your personal life to ensure happiness.

Appreciate the experience.
Even if your current job isn’t the one you want for the rest of your life, you can appreciate the experience you’re getting. Your job may not be part of your overall career plan, but it can add valuable skills and experience to your resume that will help you land the job of your dreams later. Not to mention, supervisors, managers, and co-workers are important people to have in your network. You never know who they may know, or where a better job connection may turn up down the road.

According to Business Insider, “the luckiest employees reap rewards from multiple areas: financial, emotional, and professional. They see their daily work as a chance to learn, better themselves, and understand the lessons hurled at them.”

At the end of the day, remember that you’re lucky to have a job. That doesn’t mean you should stay in a job that isn’t right for you. If your work is stressing you out or making you feel unappreciated, it may be time to look for something new. While you consider a career change or take up a new hobby, use these tips to help you appreciate the job you have right now.

Why are you thankful for your job? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

At Work Workplace Relationships

Hey! Stop Complaining About Former Employees!

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Starting a new job may take some time to get accustomed to. A common concern new employees can face is being compared to a previous hot-shot employee, but sometimes you can be compared to the opposite. You could find that you have trouble shaking others’ frustrations of a former employee who wasn’t favored or left on bad terms.

If you have siblings, you probably know all too well what it’s like to be compared to somebody else. The feeling can be even worse when it happens in the workplace. Here are some ways to handle a boss or co-worker complaining about the former, less than desired employee.

Let it Roll
If you’ve just started, let some of the comments roll off your back. You may have only had a few days to a few months to work at your company and you haven’t had much of a chance to make the job your own. It’s important to be patient and let your work do the talking before you make a big deal out of it.

You are trying to figure out your work environment as much as your work environment is trying to figure you out. Your new co-workers don’t have much to base a working relationship off of yet, so it’s easy for them to fall back on the familiar. Give it some time and strive to build strong working relationships with those around you.

Share Concerns Respectfully
If the months go by and you still hear constant complaints and stories about the former employee, it’s apparent that there could be a problem. Maybe it’s a signal that your manager has some significant holes in his or her interpersonal skills, or maybe it’s a clue that your co-workers are projecting burnout of their job onto the former employee. Either way, it might be the time to have a conversation with your manager.

Schedule some time with your leader or co-worker and address the issue, share how the comments make you feel like the ex-employee is still in the room. Stay calm and avoid getting emotional. Use specific quotes others have said and refrain from using inflammatory phrases like “You always…” or “You’re not being fair…”

Ask for Feedback
One of the best ways to separate yourself from the previous employee and add positive conversation among your peers is to ask for some direct feedback. Regularly asking for feedback takes the focus off the annoying ex-employee and puts a positive light onto you. Not only will it keep things positive toward you, but it will also make you become a better employee by getting feedback on what you’re doing right and what you need to do to improve. If you keep improving, it won’t be long before you make the job your own.

It’s easy to complain, especially when a former employee is gone. You may find yourself in that trap of everyone talking about the person you replaced and not on what you can contribute to the organization. That’s why you need to make a name for yourself by doing a good job first, then address the issue if it persists. What have you done to keep others from talking about former bad employees?

At Work Cube Life

Are You “That Guy?”

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

We’ve all worked with them. That one person at work who just doesn’t seem to get it. Maybe the person is loud-mouthed, annoying, or just trying too hard, and is always getting on everyone’s nerves.

Most of the time, they don’t realize how many problems they can be causing in the office. While there are several ways of handling difficult co-workers, many team members have no idea they are being “that person” who is causing problems. Here are some ways you can identify if you’re being a difficult co-worker and how you can fix those annoying habits.

You’re Just Not Fitting in
Even though it may not be in the company handbook, each employer has their own company culture, which has its own etiquette, expectation, and accepted behaviors. It could be the way you dress, the words you say, or even how you use emails. Pay attention to how your managers and co-workers behave and take in the unspoken rules of conduct. Also, look through your emails to make sure you aren’t marketing your emails urgent, or Cc’ing or Bcc’ing every email. If you are, you’re being “that guy.” When in doubt, ask your manager for advice.

Workplace Slob
There are several reasons to keep your workplace tidy, but a dirty workspace can communicate several bad messages to your co-workers and management. Many people work in communal areas and shared workspaces, so by not keeping your space clean, you aren’t respecting the others who are using the same space. While you may think it’s a sign that you’re busy, most think it’s a sign of laziness.

There are places other than your workspace you can keep tidy, too. If you eat at a restaurant for lunch and bring back leftovers, make sure to take it home after work or eat it in the next few days. It can be very annoying to co-workers when the company fridge is full of half-eaten food and forgotten-about lunch sacks.

Prim and Proper Failure
Noise and smells can travel, especially if you’re working in a un-secluded part of an office or warehouse. Take the time to freshen up a bit after bicycling to work, working out during your lunch break, or eating a meal that makes your breath smell. If you work closely with other people, they will notice and it will reflect poorly on your professional image.

Also, pay attention to how people react to the volume of your voice and what you generally talk about. Some colleagues across the office may not want to hear about your weekend plans. Ask around if the music you listen to is disturbing your fellow co-workers. These types of interferences can slow down productivity and quickly gain you a bad reputation.

Negative Nancy
While you may need to vent your frustrations to a confidant to relieve stress, complaining too much can make you look bad. Such strong negativity can make your co-workers feel like you aren’t a good worker or that your negative outlook is draining. Consciously try to be positive and respectful. You may not care, but avoid interrupting colleagues or discounting others’ ideas. A few kind words can help you build stronger relationships with your peers.

Working with the same people every day can be hard, but bad behavior can make things even worse. Not being “that guy” may be a simple mix of workplace etiquette and common sense, but they’re still good to keep in mind. What are some annoying behaviors you’ve faced at work?

At Work Workplace Relationships

Complain About a Co-Worker Without Being a Tattletale

By Jared Cole on Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Everybody has that one person in mind. It feels like there’s almost always that one employee who never comes to work on time, eats their smelly food at their desk , or tends to make offhanded remarks while at work. While you should always strive to build strong working relationships with your fellow co-workers, sometimes those workplace relationships can’t grow without resolving the inevitable conflicts that arise when working with other people.

While complaining at every turn may not be the best way for you to resolve the situation, there are several things you can do to ease the tension without gaining the reputation of being the workplace crier. Here are some ways you can let your co-worker know how annoying they are without getting them in trouble or you looking like a squealer.

Make it Better Before it Gets Worse
More often than not, problems or issues that are ignored and unaddressed can build up until they explode into a less than professional situation for you. It’s far better to address the difficult person while maintaining some objectivity and emotional control. Take the time to understand why you feel this way and how your co-worker’s behavior can affect productivity.

If you don’t handle it on your own and go straight to management with your issues, it can tarnish your image of being promotable. Managers will wonder why you’re not able to resolve the issue, which will make them wonder if you have the ability and understanding to lead and make difficult decisions for the company.

Go Mano-a-Mano
One of the easiest ways to resolve an issue with a co-worker is to be a friend. After all, you are trying to look out for your employer and your co-worker’s best interest. Pull your co-worker aside and mention that they’re breaking a rule. If a colleague is using foul language in the workplace, tell them that their manager is bound to hear it at some point. This kind of method helps you communicate a minor complaint without putting the spotlight on yourself.

Sometimes you have to be direct, but with a pleasant and agreeable attitude when talking to your co-worker. Try discussing how their actions make you feel. If a co-worker keeps coming in late, explain why you have to put off your lunch breaks to cover for them. Unfortunately, some difficult people just don’t care. During the discussion, try to reach an agreement about positive and supportive actions going forward. Then, make sure to follow up with the co-worker to see if any progress has been made.

When in Doubt, Reach Out
If you’ve done all you can on your own, it might be time to call for some help. Consider rallying other employees who might also have an issue with the annoying co-worker. But be careful with this approach. Other employees might not have put the same tact and effort into their confrontation with the co-worker. Sometimes, a group approach can make your manager think that the impact of the behavior is wider and deeper than originally determined. Be careful with this approach, however. Know what works with your boss.

If you have to go to a manager, try going to the co-workers direct supervisor so the situation won’t escalate too far. If you do go to upper management, make sure your complaints are valid and it is a serious enough offense that disciplinary action should be taken. When talking to the manager, make sure you include a good amount of praise for the co-worker. Explain how you tried to work things out, but it didn’t get anywhere.

Make it Productive
Before talking to management about the situation, figure out if there are any flaws or areas of improvement in your employer’s policy and procedures. Maybe better training or scheduling is needed to avoid situations. Focusing on the root of the problem and offering ideas to fix the situation can make a great impression on your boss and is more effective than complaining. It turns you from a whiner into a problem solver. No boss on the planet is going to be upset when you go to them with a solution.

Sometimes it can be difficult to address conflicts in the workplace, but they don’t have to be as dreadful if you keep a positive attitude and put the focus on improving the situation and not on your complaints. What are some ways you have dealt with annoying co-workers? Let us know in the comments below.