A great way to get off on the right foot in your new job is to follow all company rules and policies. You should receive an employee handbook with rules and policies of the company right away. One of the first things you should do in your new job is make yourself familiar with these rules and policies. Your employer expects you to follow the rules in order to maintain a high quality of work life for all employees. Besides, you don’t want to violate any rules your first few days on the job!
Here are five tips we will discuss to help you follow company rules and policies:
- Be punctual
- Meet and exceed expectations
- Study the handbook
- Observe co workers
- Stay within the boundaries
Be punctual
One of the most important parts of following company rules and policies is to always be punctual, or arrive on time to work. Punctuality doesn’t only mean to be on time every day, however. It also includes returning from lunch in a reasonable amount of time, showing up early for meetings ready to go, and attending work every day that you can. All of these things show others that you respect them and their time. Many companies will keep track of your attendance or punctuality. If you are regularly absent from or late to work, it shows your employer that the job is not very important to you. If you make an effort to always be on time, you will show that you value the company and your job.
Meet and exceed expectations
When you meet with your manager and clarify your job expectations, it is important that you listen to the response. You want to be very clear and know what is expected of you so that you can not only meet the expectations, but exceed them. This is a way to meet and exceed your company rules and be a valued employee.
Study the handbook
Arguably the most important part of following company rules and policies is to study the company handbook. You should receive an employee handbook with rules and policies of the company as soon as you are hired. If you do not receive one, make sure to ask your supervisor or a peer where you can get one.
One of the very first things you should do is make yourself very familiar with the handbook’s rules and policies. Your employer expects you to follow the rules set up by the company in order to make sure the company is a good place to work for all employees. Besides, you don’t want to break any rules your first few days on the job!
Observe co-workers
When beginning a new job, it can be helpful to observe, or watch the behavior of those around you. After all, these people have been working there longer than you have and have more experience working for the company. Notice what they are doing and act accordingly. For example, find out how long your coworkers take for a lunch break, or how much time they take to complete their projects. This can help you gauge what the rules are and what you should be doing.
That is not to say that it is okay to ignore company rules or policies if others are doing so. Don’t rely only on the behavior of others–make sure that you follow the rules and policies in the handbook. Again, it can be helpful to find a mentor who can answer your questions about company rules and policies.
Stay within the boundaries
It’s a good idea to stay within the boundaries of the company rules and policies when beginning your new job. For example, if the company provides five sick days per year, you shouldn’t necessarily use all five of them (unless they are absolutely needed) and especially not within the first few weeks. Sick days are a benefit to help employees who are truly ill and can’t work. They are not a right to more time off, and you should not use them as such.
Similarly, if you are offered a week of vacation, you may not want to use the full week when you are beginning your new job. Taking advantage of all your vacation days right away may be viewed as taking advantage of the company. If you limit yourself and stay within the boundaries, you avoid taking advantage of the company and show that you value your time at work.
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