1. Accountability and Workplace Relationships
Chapter 6
Accountability and Workplace Relationships

2. “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today
Abraham Lincoln

3. OBJECTIVES
Define and link the concepts of empowerment, responsibility, and accountability
Describe how best to deal with your boss
Describe how to respond when a workplace relationship turns negative
Identify appropriate and inappropriate relationships with your boss, colleagues, executives, and customers
Identify basic workplace expectations regarding social functions and gift-giving

4. ACCOUNTABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT
Empowerment: pushing power and decision-making to the individuals who are closest to the customer in an effort to increase:
Quality
Customer satisfaction
Profit

5. EMPOWERMENT Employees’ Direct Contribution
Employees making a direct contribution to the company’s activities results in:
Improved performance
Increased quality
Improved customer satisfaction

6. Accountability—reports back on accepted responsibility
EMPOWERMENT
Responsibility—employees accepting the power being given to them and the obligation to perform
Accountability—reports back on accepted responsibility
Employees are accountable to perform their best to:
Each other
Bosses
Customers
Investors

7. PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Each employee must take personal responsibility for his or her performance
Be on time
Do not take sick leave when well
Do what is expected
During work hours, work
Not being accountable to your coworkers leads to poor workplace relationships

8. WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS
Consistently behave professionally and respectfully to all
Socializing with coworkers is both expected and acceptable to a degree
Do not make workplace relationships your only circle of friends
Difficult to separate work from personal issues
Creates employee distrust
Potential for favoritism

9. WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS
Workplace relationships include:
Coworkers
Bosses/executives
Investors
Vendors
Customers

10. EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS
May network during:
Meetings
Corporate events
Social functions

11. EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS
In meetings:
Do not dominate a discussion
Politely introduce and do not interrupt
Objective is to create a favorable and memorable impression
Do not speak poorly of anyone
Let executive guide the conversation

12. Why should you not speak poorly of others when networking?
TALK IT OUT
Why should you not speak poorly of others when networking?

13. YOUR BOSS Types of bosses: Good boss Incompetent boss Abusive boss
Bosses are human
They are learning and developing their skills
They are not perfect
Assume they are doing their best
No matter what type of boss you have, give your personal best

14. YOUR BOSS
Good Boss: one who is respectful and fair and will groom you for a promotion
Be thankful but cautious
Keep the relationship professional
While it is acceptable to share important activities occurring in your personal life with your boss, never divulge too much personal information
Take advantage of your good boss
Use your boss as a professional mentor
Imitate his or her professional qualities

15. YOUR BOSS
Incompetent Boss: one who does not know how to do his or her job
No matter how bad the boss, remain professional and respectful
Make your boss look good
Demonstrates maturity
Diminishes tension between you and your boss

16. YOUR BOSS The Bad or Incompetent Boss (cont.)
Boss receives credit for your hard work
If boss is a poor performer, others in the company will know
Your good work will get noticed by others
Personality conflict
Do not let personal feelings affect performance
Stay positive and be of value to your boss
Do not bad-mouth boss
Learn what not to do when you become a boss

17. YOUR BOSS
Abusive Boss: one who is constantly belittling or intimidating employees
Behavior is based on low self-esteem
If tolerable, do your best with the situation
If intolerable:
Remain professional
Do not go to boss’s boss
Document facts and incidents
Seek confidential advice from HRM department
If unresolved, confidentially seek new job
Employees have rights against discrimination and harassment

18. COLLEAGUES Be friendly and respectful to all Be cautious
Do not base friendships on work-related issues
When close work friendships occur, others assume favoritism
When personal friendships go sour, it will affect workplace performance
Awkward for both parties

19. OTHERS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION
Network with others within the organization
Keep all interactions positive and respectful
Defend all employees
Do not contribute to gossip and rumors
Corporate (organizational) culture: the company’s personality reflected through its employees’ behavior
Employee morale: the attitude employees have toward the company

20. WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE
If you harmed the other person (intentionally or unintentionally), apologize immediately
If apology is accepted, demonstrate regret by changing your behavior
If apology is not accepted, move on and demonstrate regret by changing (improving) your behavior

21. WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE (cont.)
If the relationship is lost, do not hold a grudge; continue being polite, respectful, and professional to the offended co-worker
If your offended co-worker acts rudely or inappropriately, do not retaliate by returning the poor behavior; respond with kindness
If rude and inappropriate behavior impacts performance or is hostile or harassing, document the situation and inform boss

22. DATING AT WORK
Many companies discourage co-workers from dating each other
Dating your boss is highly inappropriate
Use caution when dating vendors/customers
You are representing the company 24/7
Do not share confidential information
Do not speak poorly of company/co-workers
It is best to keep your romantic life separate from work

23. SOCIALIZING Picnics, potlucks, and other celebrations
Some enjoy social functions; others do not
It is rude to not attend/acknowledge functions taking place at the workplace
Stop by, even briefly, to send regards
Attendance at work-related social events occurring outside of the worksite is optional
Use caution when alcohol is being served
It is best to refrain from alcohol

24. SHARED WORK AREAS Cubicles and open work areas
Respect privacy of each workspace as if it were an individual office
In shared work areas avoid:
Loud noises
Smells
Distractions that interrupt or annoy others
Stand at entrance to work area and wait for invitation to enter work area
Do not take or use items without permission

25. TALK IT OUT
What are distractions that employees should avoid doing in a common work area?

26. BREAKS AND THE BREAK ROOM
Contribute to community coffee/snack fund if you partake
Do not eat others’ food being stored in the refrigerator
Throw out your unused or spoiled food at the end of each workweek
Clean up after yourself
Leave things clean for the next person

27. MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES
Use caution when fundraising to co-workers
Gift-giving is not required
Give discretely if you choose to give
Group gifts for Boss’s Day or Secretary’s Day are common
Not mandatory to give
If you decline to participate, no negative comments
If you receive a gift, immediately send a thank-you note

28. MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES (Cont.)
Good employees take ownership of common work areas
Practice common courtesy
Refill empty coffee pot
Refill copy machine when low on paper
When office machine is jammed, do not leave problem for someone else to solve
If unable to solve, alert someone who can fix the problem