Chapter 10

ACCOUNTABILITY
AND WORKPLACE
RELATIONSHIPS

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 “You cannot escape
the responsibility of
tomorrow by evading
it today.”
Abraham Lincoln
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 EMPOWERMENT
Employees’ Direct Contribution
• Employees making a direct contribution
to the company’s activities results in:
– Improved performance
– Increased quality
– Improved customer satisfaction

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS
• Workplace relationships include:
– Coworkers
– Bosses/executives
– Investors
– Vendors
– Customers

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR
OFFICIALS
• May interact during:
– Meetings
– Corporate events
– Social functions
• 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 YOUR BOSS
• Three 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 OTHERS WITHIN THE
ORGANIZATION
• Network with others within the organization
• Keep all interactions positive and respectful
• Defend all employees
• Corporate (organizational) culture: the
company’s personality reflected through its
employees’ behavior
• Employee morale: the attitude employees
have toward the company

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN
NEGATIVE
1. If you harmed the other person
(intentionally or unintentionally),
apologize immediately
2. If apology is accepted, demonstrate
regret by changing your behavior
3. If apology is not accepted, move on and
demonstrate regret by changing
(improving) your behavior

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN
NEGATIVE (cont.)
4. If the relationship is lost, do not hold a
grudge; continue being polite, respectful,
and professional to the offended co-worker
5. If your offended co-worker acts rudely or
inappropriately, do not retaliate by returning
the poor behavior; respond with kindness
6. If rude and inappropriate behavior impacts
performance or is hostile or harassing,
document the situation and inform boss

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 TALK IT OUT
What are common distractions
that employees should avoid
doing in a common work area?

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt
 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

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt