Unit 3: Employability

Lesson 5: Acting Appropriately on the Job

OBJECTIVE

1. Understand what is appropriate behavior on the job.

SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES
If you have purchased videos recommended in other lessons of the Employability unit, there may be some dramatizations of appropriate conduct at work. However, there is not enough contained in any one video to justify buying it solely for this lesson.

INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
The unit on employability has covered all types of appropriate job behaviors. This lesson will cover appropriate behavior in the workplace. More specifically, work conduct encompasses behaviors that demonstrate maturity and professionalism. A person may get to work on time, do her job correctly, and respond to supervisors appropriately; however, if she is moody with customers, goofs around, uses inappropriate language, etc., she could be in danger of losing her job. For some students who have cognitive limitations, it is difficult to understand why certain behavior is OK sometimes and not OK at other times. Trainers should consider this and, rather than trying to differentiate the times when certain behavior is OK or not OK, it might be better to take the approach that some behaviors are inappropriate all the time at work. Point out the following tips for avoiding the traps of acting inappropriately at work.

1. When talking, use a conversational tone of voice. Talking loudly and/or obnoxiously can be disruptive to other workers and customers. You can have fun and be more relaxed during breaks, but always maintain self-control from the time you arrive at work until you go home.
   
   

2. Avoid pranks and jokes that can disrupt the work environment or disturb customers or other workers. For example, it is OK to put a funny cartoon on someone's desk, but do not dismantle someone's chair so it breaks when they sit in it. Again, having fun at work is fine, but do not do anything that would be disruptive in the workplace.
   
   

3. Watch your language. Using curse words, calling people names, or using other insulting words can be offensive to others. Using slang may make it difficult for good communication between co-workers and customers. Slang is going to vary from person to person and time period to time period. Try to get the students to come up with examples that would confuse customers. For example, a person who is 60 may not understand "that shirt is fresh." A person who is 20 would probably understand that statement as an indication that the shirt is good looking.
   
   

4. When dealing with customers, do not do silly or weird things for your co-workers' entertainment. For example, do not go up to someone and say jokingly, "If you need any help, do not bother me. I do not get paid enough." Some people may pick up on this sarcasm. Still, all it takes is one complaint to get you in trouble with the boss. Use good manners when working with customers. Answer questions appropriately ("Yes, ma'am." "No, sir."), ask another worker if you cannot help a customer, and in general try to be as helpful as possible.
   

SIGNS OF GENERALIZATION
Students act professionally on the job. They do not get reprimanded for acting inappropriately on the job.

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