Job Success
Avoid Five Common Work-Related Pitfalls
Productivity pitfall: Hostility
Scenario:
You work first shift. Your coworker, Mary, is scheduled to work second shift. You can't leave to get your child from daycare until she arrives. As usual, Mary arrives 15 minutes late. Fuming, you yell at her in front of customers and your supervisor.
Hostility interferes with productivity. It is a waste of time and can contribute to the amount of stress you take home from work. Worse, overt hostility in the workplace can lead to disciplinary action, immediate dismissal, and police intervention.
Solutions:
- Avoid being rude to customers, coworkers, and supervisors.
- If you are angry about something at work, make an appointment to discuss matters privately with your supervisor.
- If you encounter anger or frustration in others, take a deep breath and calmly ask them what you can do to remedy the situation. Don't raise your voice. Call your supervisor if necessary.
