We are still in very tough economic times and to be notified that your employment is no longer needed is something we all think about, even those of us who are retired.
So how can you be certain that your job is secure? You can’t, but there are a few actions which you can take which will improve your chances of continuing your employment and I have listed a few-
1. Make sure everyone likes you-
It’s harder to fire someone who you like. Many times the selection of personnel to keep or fire is based on the knowledge and friendship with that person.
2. Go with the flow-
Many times the best thinkers are the first to be fired for they march to a different drummer than the other employees. There are exceptions and those would be the employers who actually recognize talent and reward it. Unfortunately they are in the minority.
3. Be visible at your job-
Always be seen at your job and actually do your work. If you need to text a personal message, do it on your break and not at your work station.
4. Let people know what you’re doing for your employer-
Keep your boss informed as to what you have been doing. Most of the time your employer has no idea what you actually do.
5. Keep your ears open-
If the company wants you to do something you know is wrong, do it any way and eventually they will listen to your idea.
6. Keep your complaints to yourself-
No matter if you are right in what you say to a fellow employee, it will eventually be shared with your boss and in most cases, and the information will not be what you said in the first place.
7. Always smile-
Even if you have nothing to smile about, just the action will keep people wondering.
8. Frequent the lounge-
This is where all the gossip is spread and if you are there, they won’t talk about you.
9. Be early to work and the last to leave-
That way, no one can say that you don’t contribute your time. It has nothing to do with how much work you do but how can they tell the difference. It’s the image that counts. They don’t like making judgments on the quality of work you do but they can complain on the number of hours you spend at work.
10. Learn a sport that your boss is involved with-
You don’t have to actually play golf, just be able to carry your end of a conversation about golf.
I hope these ten suggestions help you retain your present job for these are tough times as I mentioned before. Some might ask if I followed these suggestions and I have to admit that I didn’t. Although I lasted thirty years in my position in higher education, there were several who didn’t like me (including two bosses). I seldom went with the flow for the flow many times was going in the wrong direction, I was not visible at my job for I was doing my job, I seldom praised my work for my work was teaching students not advertising, I tended to keep my ears closed for much of what I heard was unimportant, I voiced my complaint when I felt issues needed to be addressed, I seldom smiled for it always looked artificial, I seldom spent time in the lounge for it became too depressing, I did get to work early and was one of the last to leave and I never took the time to find out what my bosses sports were for I was there to teach students and that was my only interest at work.
After reading all of the incorrect actions listed above, you might ask how I was able to keep my job. It was a combination of two things, (1) tenure, and (2) my student evaluations were the highest in the department and many times at the university and wherever they moved me within the department, I managed to work it to my advantage and still help the students.
