Luke
If i gave the boss attitude will i be fired?
writing a paper on successful employees #construction
4 answers
Eula Biezen
Eula’s Answer
Dear Luke H.
I am glad to shed some light on the issue.
I do work a lot with contractors, architects, engineers, construction workers, floor-installers, electricians, and so forth.
Attitude is a very important trait in anyone, employee, student, boss, co-worker, husband, friend. Attitude? Everyone has one. The key thing is: having a GOOD ATTITUDE.
The boss is not a mean person, nor someone who gets on your case.
The boss is someone who has responsibilities, and has to get things done through a team. Especially in construction people get things done in teams. Cooperation and collaboration is essential.
Employees are part of the team, they must know what the assignment is and complete it according to instructions,
having a good attitude means having people and social skills, basic things like listening well, respond adequately and courteously, understand that you have to finish your assignment on time and neatly.
The boss has authority to fire anyone who cannot do their job, cannot work well with others, and is constantly causing delays and problems. There is a word for that: incompetence.
Employees with good attitudes, voice their opinions but are not out to get into a fight with anyone.
They explain why they disagree, without causing animosity. And are able to accept and admit when they are wrong and change their minds, once they have been explained why something must be done a certain way.
Employees with a bad attitude, don't mean to perhaps, but are a constant problem, because they get into arguments and don't finish the job on time.
As employee a construction worker answers to a project manager or a superintendent.
If the employee does not do what the boss says, this is called 'insubordination' and is cause for dismissal.
Bosses don't like to fire people, because they need them at work, but if an employee is a constant source of problem, they do. They have to and they will, because a negative attitude does not focus on getting the job done, instead people with a bad attitude cause fights with everybody at work, coworkers and boss and they do a poor job.
Let me know if this helps, and if you have any other questions, know that we are always here for you.
Eula recommends the following next steps:
Eric Makela
Eric’s Answer
I can only speak from experience. Be sure to see things from your boss's perspective to make sure you are not simply being arrogant in your response. If it is simply that YOU want to work less or YOU don't like the way you're being treated, I'd advise against any criticism of your boss; you will not win that battle. Having said that, I think it is good to point out a boss's unreasonable expectations so long as his/her mistakes affect not only you, but others. I once took a short course on what is called "radical candor", where it is taught how to confront people without creating more problems.
<span style="background-color: rgb(253, 253, 253);">The key is that you must care about the outcomes of the boss and your coworkers. If you are able to demonstrate that then you will be successful. If not, you are only hurting yourself by speaking out. It is hard sometimes to know the difference, so be sure to not simply act and speak out of emotion.</span>
Saurabh Bajad
Saurabh’s Answer
Hi Luke,
Great question. Think of your boss as a mentor who can help guide you throughout your career. Having an attitude towards your co-workers is never a good idea. But, with that being said, you should have the confidence to speak up if you have a viewpoint on certain things so that your voice is heard.
In PwC, where I work, we have implemented a "Real Time Feedback" initiative The whole idea behind this initiative is to give feedback to your co-workers including the management team so that your viewpoint is heard and considered.
Melody Raines
Melody’s Answer
Construction, as with many careers, can be quite stressful, and it is not uncommon for someone to get frustrated in a situation. If an employee is getting upset, dealing with a variety of issues that they cannot prevent but constantly have to circumvent to the job done, I am going to reasonably expect curt communication. If an employee is just a horrible human being and constantly snapping at everyone - they aren't going to be with us long.
It is also important that everyone understand that this is business, and when someone is being difficult, it is rare that it would have anything to do with you, as a person, so as a boss, it is important to figure out what is going on before you, also, overreact.