The Learning Goals:

Why work ethic is important

How it will impact your
future as an employee
 What is Work Ethic:
The Definition:
a standard of conduct and
values for job performance
A Historical Perspective:
http://www.coe.uga.edu/workethic/hisc.html
 Employer’s Expectation
of Employees

What does an employer want?

Traits of a winning employee:
To come to work on time
Be punctual every day

To work hard
Work to the best of your ability

Follow company rules and policies

Learn and follow expectations
To carry out orders
Do what’s asked the first time

To be willing to learn
Look to improve your skills

To get along with co-workers

Cooperation is the key to
productivity
Help out whenever asked
Do “extras” without being asked

Appreciate privileges and don’t

abuse them
Privileges are favors and benefits

Have a good attitude

Listen to suggestions
To be honest
“Honesty is the most single most important factor
having a direct bearing on the final success of an
individual, corporation, or product.” Ed McMahon

To be loyal
Speak positively about the company

To do the work correctly

Quality and timeliness are prized
Take pride in their work
Do things the best you know how

Make an effort to improve

Learn ways to better yourself

Accept responsibility for their work

If you make a mistake, admit it
Why People Lose Their Jobs

They get laid off

Job loss not their fault

They get fired

Job lost because of their actions
Common Reasons Why
Employees are Fired

Reasons the Law upholds as

“just cause” for firing:
They can’t get along with others
Co-workers, boss, and/or
customers

They are disrespectful

Not following instructions

Failing to follow rules and policies

“Doing your own thing”
They abuse drugs or alcohol
Can create health/safety issues

They are dishonest

Trust, once lost, is hard to regain

They fail to do the work properly

Costly errors hurt business
They are careless
Can lead to accidents/profit loss

They are lazy.

It’s a form of theft

They are late or absent from work

Shows lack of responsibility
They are troublemakers
Stirring up dissent among others

They are dissatisfied all the time

You agreed to the work/pay/hours

They are unreliable

Dependability is an employee asset
They are rude and use abusive
language
Inappropriate behavior is
inexcusable

They make fun of or harass others

You could land in court for this!

They boss others around

Giving orders is the boss’s job
Positive Actions to Take if You’re
Fired

Correct your faults/move ahead

Don’t repeat your mistakes
Think positively about the next job
 Resources
http://www.webclipart.about.com/internet/webclipart
http://www.elated.com/toolbox/buttonkits
http://www.cyberquotations.com/sorted/qHonesty.htm
http://soundamerica.com
http://www.coe.uga.edu/workethic/hisc.html
Wanat, John, Pfeiffer, E. Weston, Van Gulik, Richard. Learning
for Earning. Illinois: Goodheart-Wilcox Company, Inc., 1995.
 http://www.pizzabones.com

Slide Show by: Terrie Rust

June 2000