One of the commonly used definers in professional organizations today is the so-called boundary between professional and non-professional (or support staff), and a common complaint comes from some who perceive they are treated as lesser beings. To treat people who are working as part of the team responsible for delivering the service, as being somehow less important, is not only arrogant, it is truly unprofessional. It is unprofessional because it impacts on the quality of service that is delivered. People who do not feel valued do not perform at the optimum level. Arrogance undermines growth and learning, and the resulting stagnation negatively impacts the services delivered.
Another point? PETTY GOSSIP, BACKBITING, and legally speaking, "DEFAMATORY REMARKS," should be avoided at all costs.
Well, enough said about that... In writing this article, I came across a very short list of things that were given to new graduates as they embarked upon their first jobs. This list is appropriate for any employee to review.
Professional Conduct
Code of Ethics: Develop one. Don't fall into bad habits like taking freebies, excessive breaks, abusing the use of the Internet, the telephone, or fabricating excuses. Chain of Command: Follow it. I f you have a problem, go to the appropriate person, not the president of the institution. Salary: Don't discuss it. Salary information should never be discussed with other employees. Safety: Develop an intrinsic value for safety. Not only on the job, but after work as well. Punctuality: Be at work on time. Do not leave early; do not miss work unless it is absolutely necessary. If for some reason you are unable to work, make sure you notify your supervisor as soon as possible. Resilience: Be resilient to problems, mistakes and criticism. Don't let other people cause you problems.
Code of Ethics: Develop one. Don't fall into bad habits like taking freebies, excessive breaks, abusing the use of the Internet, the telephone, or fabricating excuses.
Chain of Command: Follow it. I f you have a problem, go to the appropriate person, not the president of the institution.
Salary: Don't discuss it. Salary information should never be discussed with other employees.
Safety: Develop an intrinsic value for safety. Not only on the job, but after work as well.
Punctuality: Be at work on time. Do not leave early; do not miss work unless it is absolutely necessary. If for some reason you are unable to work, make sure you notify your supervisor as soon as possible.
Resilience: Be resilient to problems, mistakes and criticism. Don't let other people cause you problems.
I am by no means a Cooperative Extension specialist or expert in the area of professional conduct. And to be quite honest, nothing presented has been new. In fact, the bottom line can be encapsulated as follows:
Always practice the Golden Rule: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. This sounds so simple, but it's oh so difficult to practice in a work environment unless you develop a personal mindset consistent with its principles.
As we embark upon 2003 with new projects and new challenges, let us put away unproductive attitudes, perceptions, and mindsets, and portray professional conduct that will make our work environments an even better place to work.
With each of us spending more time looking honestly within ourselves and not so much time looking and pointing at others, office professionalism will be a consistent reality.