Having to get up early and go to work is hard enough, but the situation is only worsened for those who can’t quite seem to shake the feeling that their employer is less than impressed by their performance.
Naturally, no two situations are the same, and every job has different demands and hurdles. Likewise, not every personality type is suited to work alongside every other type, but assuming your boss isn’t just a grouchy indiscriminate hater, here are a few reasons you might be steadily ticking them off.
You’re unreliable.
Employers can be tolerant of many things, but unreliability is simply not one of them. If you think that being a bit late to the office, taking extra long lunch breaks or never being available to do extra work will go unnoticed by your employer, think again. It’s one thing to produce great work, but it’s equally as important to be seen as a person who can be trusted to be on time, ready to work and just as ready to work harder and longer when the job calls for it.
You’re not proactive.
No employer wants to have to tell you what work you should be getting on with each morning. Quite frankly, they have work to be getting on with themselves and having to baby you through each chore is a colossal waste of their time. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help and opinions, but employers will always place higher value on an employee who knows exactly what they’re doing and exhibits a proactive attitude each and every working day.
You’re unsociable.
Perhaps this seems a little unfair – isn’t shyness incurable after all? In most workplaces, you’re likely to be working as part of a team and fitting in and making an effort with this team is actually part of your job description. Employers don’t expect too much, but if you’re avoiding team meetings, after-work drinks and the like, it’s only going to award you a reputation as a loner. The problem with your solitary workplace lifestyle is that you make yourself less approachable to everybody else, and, let’s face it – getting along well with your boss is only ever a good thing.
You don’t display enough interest in your work.
Perhaps more than sheer capability and talent, most employers praise their employee’s level of passion above all else. Have you ever worked with an employer who wasn’t doing as much as they possibly could to advance their company or organisation? This is exactly what they expect from you. If you’re forgetting important details or not contributing in team discussions, this might indicate to your employer that you simply don’t have the required interest or passion for your job.
You don’t play nice.
Maybe you don’t consider yourself a bully, but if you find yourself often making less-than-flattering comments about your fellow employees, it’s likely to put a severe dent in your reputation. Nobody wants to work alongside somebody who has more nasty than nice things to say. Not only does it create an unwelcoming and uncomfortable atmosphere, but it also hints to your boss that you’re simply not the kind of person that they want in the workplace. That’s why it’s always best to play by the golden rule – ‘If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all’ – and keep the whining and complaining at home.
