How to be a Good Employee

Candice BauerUniversity of Nevada, RenoCollege of Engineering

Overview

Human Resources Transition Period Attendance Timecards Appearance Boss Co-Workers Soft Skills Employee Rights

Human Resources

First StopComplete employment paperwork

Tax forms (W4, state tax)Nondisclosure agreements

Learn about benefitsComplete payroll processLearn company policies

Human ResourcesWork Schedule and Lunch Period (Your

supervisor might also provide this information)

Payroll Period and Direct Deposit Information

Paid Holidays, Sick Days, or Personal Days (How many and when are you eligible?)

Vacation Days (How many and when are you eligible?)

Human Resources

Company Employment Policies such as use of electronic communications systems, conflict of interest, business travel, drug use and smoking, personal use of company resources, dress code, etc.

Benefits (Life Insurance, Health, Disability, Accident, Savings Plan, Retirement Plan, and Tuition Reimbursement)

Transition Period (Learning Curve)

If it was not provided, ask for a copy of your job description, so you can see in writing your duties and responsibilities.

Learn the names and duties of everyone in your group.

Ask to see an organizational chart of the department, so you can see how your group fits into the company structure.

Transition Period (Learning Curve)

Learn the culture of the company - the mission and vision.

Observe your co-workers, how they behave and act in a professional setting.

Focus on the product you will be working on. Most companies have technical descriptions and product brochures. Ask to review these.

Ask about anything you are not sure of or was not made clear to you.

Attendance

Woody Allen: “80% of success is just about showing up”

Attendance is necessary No call, no show = termination Finals / Midterms – notify employer ASAP Always be punctual (lateness is not

acceptable) A schedule from 8:00 to 5:00 means sitting at your

desk ready to work at 8:00 – not coming in at 8:03, getting coffee, and start working at 8:30.

Timecards

Accurate timekeeping is importantMulti-project time sheetsMust be accurateAltering or misrepresenting your time on

a timecard is illegalNot recording overtime is illegal

Appearance

Adhere to the dress code Dress to accommodate safety procedures (i.e.

if working in a lab, closed toe shoes) Even if the code is casual, follow conservative

dress rules Workstation – organized, neat, and check with

supervisor to learn company policy before bringing personal items (i.e. photos)

Watch your language (a foul sounding mouth looks bad)

Supervisor

Initial trainingDecides on your job assignmentsDetermines if you are meeting

expectationsAssesses your performanceDecides on your salary increaseLearn how to work with their

management style

Your boss is always right

Respect and appreciate your bossDo as you are askedQuestion if unclear, but do not argueUnless, your boss is asking you to

perform a task that is unethical or illegal (i.e. record that you worked 20 hours even though you worked 23 hours)

Make your boss look good

Completing your work assignments on time. Producing a high quality and accurate product. Acting professionally and responsibly at all

times. Being positive and a team player. Keeping your boss informed as to the status of

your tasks and alert him or her to any problems. (The worst thing to do is to let your boss get caught off guard.)

What is the boss looking for in you?

Take the initiative. Don't wait for work. Seek it out. Fill a need when you see a void or an opportunity (and make sure your supervisor knows you have offered to help).

Show that you can think. Be creative and innovative. Develop a new way to perform a task or a new solution to a problem.

Show a willingness to take on projects that have high visibility. That is how you get noticed.

Conflicts with your boss

Personality clashManagement styleTechnical differencesPerformance and work habits

Relating to Co-Workers

Get to know the people in your groupBe someone that can be counted onAsk pertinent questionsDo not be a know it allLearn to work with different types of

people

Resolving Conflicts with Coworkers

Misunderstandings Personality Clashes Lack of Cooperation Frustration and Irritability Substandard Performance

Resolving Conflicts with Coworkers

Differences Over Work Method Responsibility Issues Authority Issues Value and Goal Differences Non-Compliance with Rules and Policies Competition for Limited Resources

Resolving Conflicts: Dos

Be Positive and Patient Focus on the Problem, not the other

PersonKeep an Open Mind; Be Flexible Seek the Other Person's Ideas and Point

of View

Resolving Conflicts: Dos

Explore All Alternatives for Resolving the Conflict

Try to Understand the Other Person's Perceptions

End on a Positive Note

Resolving Conflicts: Don'ts

Prejudge People Assume You Have All the Facts Focus on the Person's Attitude,

Personality, or Motives Ignore Others' Ideas and

Viewpoints

Resolving Conflicts: Don'ts

Overlook the Possibility of Differing Perceptions

Be Defensive Go Into the Discussion Unprepared Focus on Meeting Practical Needs at the

Expense of Personal Needs

Lack of Guidance

Take matters into your own hands.Speak with the supervisor. Emphasize your eagerness to learn the

job and contribute to your group and the company.

Lack of Guidance

Ask your supervisor's advice on the steps you can take to speed up your development and to be assigned some projects to work on.

Seek other mentors in the company.

Assignments beyond your knowledge base

Don’t panic.Clarify the assignment.Develop a plan of attack.Submit drafts and get feedback.Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, but

learn from that, and NEVER MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE.

Communication Skills

Prepare written status or progress reports to management

Write specifications and technical descriptions

Write engineering change orders Provide instructions to others

Communication Skills

Present your design concepts to senior engineering management at design reviews

Communicate technical information to staff members that have no technical training

Prepare product brochures and marketing materials

Teamwork Skills

You all work for the same company and the main goal is to produce the best product possible.

Remain flexible and keep an open mind. Producing the optimum design requires

every-one to make certain compromises, including you.

Teamwork Skills

Help other people whenever you can. Avoid being a know-it-all. Don't take opposition or critique of your

concepts personally. In stating your position, rely on the facts

and what you know, not opinion.

Performance Reviews

Technical Ability Knowledge of Job Functions Character Responsibility Initiative Cooperation

Performance Reviews

Ability to Inspire and Influence Others Emotional Stability Vision Decisiveness Coordination Resourcefulness

Employee Rights

Safe working environmentFree from discrimination and harassmentBreaks (in Nevada)

10 minutes every 4 hours30 minute break if shift is 6 or more hours

Employee Rights

Must sign release form to work more than 8 hours (i.e. 10 hour shifts); otherwise, considered overtime

More than 40 hours per week is considered overtime for hourly employees (must pay time and a half)

Employee Rights

Department of Laborhttp://www.dol.gov/index.htm

Workplace Fairnesshttp://www.workplacefairness.org

Acknowledgments

ASME, International – Professional Practice Curriculum: http://www.professionalpractice.asme.org/index.htm

How to be a Good Employee

Candice BauerUniversity of Nevada, RenoCollege of Engineering