When you think about it, the workplace and the people in it are very fascinating. It’s a group of individuals all working hard to ensure the survival of something larger than themselves, the company, which in turns aids their survival. It’s a wonderful symbiotic relationship, but it makes your wonder, how do they do it? How do they survive in the workplace?

I’ve spent many years as a Workologist, living in this jungle, and studying the strange behaviors of the creatures in it. I have learned how to survive, and I’m writing to you so that if you are ever in the jungle of the workplace, you’ll know exactly what to do to survive and prosper.

1. Timeliness

In this jungle, those who are late to work and come in when they want to tend to disappear rather quickly. It is better to be early in this place rather than late, so make sure you do so. Be sure not to take breaks or lunches that are too long, and if you have meetings or appointments, it’s always good to be there before they start. Your coworkers will respect you more and know that you care about your job and survival in it.

2. Dress & Hygiene

In the Serengeti the lions can smell your fear, and in the Workplace the boss can smell your BO. It’s extremely important to smell nice, or have no smell at all. Poor hygiene like bad breath and body odor is unprofessional and make you appear dirty…because you are. Bathe yourself often, brush your teeth, and throw on some cologne/perfume. Dress yourself to fit the guidelines of your job’s dress code. Typically you dress formal in a business environment, semi-casual in a factory environment or when doing physical labor, and wear a uniform if it requires it.

3. Be Respectful, Courteous, and Appreciative

When working with others, it’s best to follow the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you treat your coworkers well, you’ll be treated well in return. Show your coworkers and supervisors respect, they deserve it just as you do. Remember to be courteous by saying things like please and thank you when you need someone’s help. When a coworker helps you, make sure they know it, and make sure to tell their supervisors they’re doing a great job. We all like to be treated like equals and appreciated for doing a great job.

4. Offer A Helping Hand

Sometimes in the jungle you will see a coworker lost or struggling. If you can help them, do so! In the jungle, those who take the initiative to help others have a better chance of succeeding than those who don’t. He who helps those in need, helps himself in return.

5. Go Above & Beyond

When you have free time at work, ask your coworkers if they need help, be proactive. When do work, do the best you can even if it’s not required. As an employee, when you do work without being asked to, like helping someone, that shows how dedicated to your job you really are, and your boss will really like that. They will know that you are an employee who cares and intends to stay for the long run.

6. Work Hard

This goes without saying. Those who wish to survive the workplace must work hard in order to survive. Don’t be lazy, this will create resentment in your coworkers. Work hard and be an inspiration for those around you. You don’t have to work yourself to the bone to work hard, you just need to be focused.

7. Ask Questions

There are no stupid questions. If you don’t know the answer to something, do be afraid to ask. Your coworkers and supervisors are there to help you and will be more than willing to help you out. Asking questions shows that you care enough to be curious about your work and more importantly, doing your work right.

8. Learn & Show Others

Work is a great learning experience, and the opportunity to learn something new is everywhere. Take the initiative and learn something new! This will make you much more valuable in the jungle, for knowledge is worth it’s weight in gold. Once you learn something, don’t be afraid to show others. Teaching is fun, and very satisfying, and your coworkers will appreciate you for it. Don’t be stingy with want you know, share it.

9. Be Outgoing & Confident

People love a person who is lovable. I know, seems ridiculous but it’s true! Be friendly to the people you share your time with. Smile and laugh often. Try to be as approachable a person as possible. Compliment your coworkers when you look nice, do something great, or impress you. Show them you notice and care. Soon your coworkers will be delighted to see you when you come around the corner carrying that stack of reports you need them to file.

10. Get To Know People

This has a lot to do with being outgoing and confident but it takes it a step further. Get to know your coworkers and share yourself with them without getting overly personal. Talk about things not directly related to work, tell appropriate jokes. If a coworker asks you to join them at lunch, do so. Don’t be afraid to make new friends! You never know who’ll you’ll end up meeting.

11. Be Open-minded

In the workplace, you are surrounded by knowledge and ideas. Keep an open-mind about new ideas, and new ways to do things. If a coworker or supervisor has an idea for you, be sure to listen and understand. They are only trying to help. In the end it may help you become a better worker by becoming more efficient.

12. Think Outside The Box…err Cubicle?

Those who think outside their box in the jungle tend to survive. These are the people who discovered fire, and made the first hammer or bowl. Try your hardest to think well, and think differently. If you have a great idea, share it with those who can benefit from it. To think outside the box you just need a good imagination and the understanding that things can always be done another way.

13. Take Charge

The strong are the ones that survive in most situations, and this is true even in the workplace, but the type of strength needed comes from the mind. When you are at work, take some initiative in the work you do. Don’t be afraid to be a leader when you can. People will follow those they admire, so be sure that you show off those great qualities you possess. People who take charge in the workplace are the ones that end up owning the workplace.

With these survival tips, you aren’t guaranteed to live, but you’ll have a very good chance of doing so. Live and work to the best of your ability, and the rewards will be sure to follow. Good luck!

“What to do if you are exploited by your employer“. You can view the Helium version here

Most people who have jobs and work on a day to day basis need their jobs to earn a living, buy food, to pay their rent/mortgage, help support a family, and to live a satisfied life. Unfortunately, it is this basic need for survival that can open up an employee to exploitation.

When a person grows afraid of losing their job because they don’t think they will be able to survive without it, they become more apt to tolerate working in an environment they don’t like or even hate. They become more apt to being used and treated badly by their employers because they don’t want to risk quitting or being fired if they confront their employer about the problems they are having.

Some employers see this fear as an opportunity and thus use it to take advantage of their workers. When companies exploit their employees, they are doing so to save profits. They tend to do this in many ways such as not paying their employees what they deserve, overworking them to exhaustion, treating them unfairly, and not giving them credit for their work.

It is likely that at some point during your working life, you will experience some form of exploitation by your employer. This article is intended as a resource to help you determine if you are being exploited by your employer, as well as steps you can take to deal with this stressful and daunting experience.

There are many ways that a company can exploit an employee, and here is a list of the major ways in which an employer will do this:

1. Not being paid for the true value of your work

This is a major way that employers take advantage of their employees. They will pay you less than you think you deserve to make. Every dollar a company saves by not paying you what you deserve, the company keeps as a profit. It’s sad and unfair, and a horrible feeling to know that you aren’t being properly compensated. If you feel as if you aren’t earning the money you think you deserve at your job, I recommend visiting Salary.com. This web site will help you find out the true value of your work by comparing the work you do with other people who work similar jobs in your area. It’s a very good way to find out if people doing the same work as you are making more money.

2. Not being credited for your work

Often when an employee is being exploited by his/her employer, they will not receive credit for their work or another employee (such as a supervisor) will even take credit for the work of the employee. These types of credit can be anything from not receiving praise or a simple thanks for work being done, as well as not receiving bonuses and raises when they are deserved.

3. Being Overworked

Another typical way an employer will take advantage of an employee is by overworking them. Overworking an employee can include making them work very long shifts with few breaks, making them work many days without days off, or not providing an adequate work environment or equipment that allows the employee to get his/her work done easily. Often the employee is very tired, lethargic, suffering from muscle pain, stressed or even depressed.

4. Unfair Treatment

Being treated unfairly at work really has a lot to do with the last three indicators of exploitation. When an employee is treated unfairly by an employer, it can also include preferential treatment of certain employees over others, racism, sexism, and any other bias that makes the employee feel as though they are not being treated fairly in the workplace.

These are typical ways to tell if you are being exploited by your employer. If you feel that you are being exploited at work, don’t lose hope! There are ways to help resolve the situation! These tips will help you to figure out the best solution for you:

1. Understand how you are being exploited.

If you have the general feeling that you are being exploited but aren’t sure why, the first thing to do is understanding the heart of where this feeling is coming from, then you can tackle it head on. Ask yourself these questions to help determine how you are being exploited:

Are you being paid what you truly deserve for your work?
Are you treated unfairly at work?
Are you a victim of racism, sexism, or any other prejudice?
Do you often feel very tired, suffer from muscle pain or depressed after working?
Do you receive credit and praise for the work you do?

Depending on how you answered these questions, you are closer to understanding the nature of your exploitation.

2. Employeeissues.com

Employeeissues.com is a valuable web site that can help you understand what your rights are as an employee, and what you can do if you are experiencing problems at work. The site gives in-depth information on laws that help protect employees and can also provide services like referring you to an attorney. This is a great second step to understanding what you can do about your work related problem without having to confront anyone directly yet.

3. Talk to your boss or supervisor

Talking to a boss about problems you are having at work can often be an unnerving experience, but it is very important to remain confident and steadfast in your approach. Talk to your boss with respect, and not with an attitude, as this makes you look unprofessional and more than likely your concerns will be ignored.

Typically your boss should be willing to discuss your concerns and help you find a plan to help resolving them. Maybe your boss hasn’t noticed that you’ve been treated unfairly, overworked, or not being paid what you deserve. It happens sometimes, and you should be willing to give your boss the benefit of the doubt.

4. Talk to Human Resources

If your company has a human resources department, it is always a good idea to discuss with them your concerns and they can probably help you understand what your rights are as an employee and act as a mediator between you and you boss. This can sometimes help if your boss is difficult to deal with.

5. Talk to an attorney

If you have an attorney available to you offhand, this is another invaluable resource that can help you understand your rights as an employee and can help you get legal advice. If you don’t happen to have an attorney available, there are many free attorney referral services you can use. LegalMatch.com is one of these companies that provides a free matching service so people and businesses can find attorneys in their state to help with legal problems they have.

6. Quit

I know this may seem like a radical way to stop your problems at work, but in some situations it is the only way. The reason why most companies exploit their employees is that they know you are afraid to quit and will allow the exploitation to happen. You are a valuable person. You should never allow anyone to exploit you, especially an employer. Don’t work for an employer out of fear and because you don’t think you can get another job. There are new jobs available all the time and staffing/employment agencies that are eager to help find you work. I know, because I have used them before.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are being exploited, there are things you can do to stop it. Once you understand the nature of your exploitation, you can find the people/services that can give you the best help possible. Remember that you are a valuable person, a human being, and shouldn’t be exploited no matter what the situation. Good luck!

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~Confucius

I lost my job this morning…and I’m STOKED!

     Losing a job is sweet when the job isn’t that great…or downright sucks. There’s a key word in that sentence there. Actually, it’s one of my favorite acronyms. J.O.B. - just over broke. Sorry, I don’t mean to start badmouthing jobs here (actually I do, let’s just hope that there aren’t any potential employers reading this), but I had to say that.

     This isn’t to say that there aren’t “good” jobs out there to be obtained, there are, however they are rare. I tend to think that the definition of what a job is prevents it from receiving a high status of awesomeness. Here’s the definition from my Oxford American Dictionary on my computer:

     That’s a good definition to me of what a job is, but it points out what jobs are lacking, and that’s growth potential. I guess this is the primary difference between a career and a job. A career encourages growth and advancement over a length of time. A job in my opinion gives little focus on growth and advancement, concentrating in the present, which creates stagnation in the employee. The job I just lost was much like that, leaving you with a feeling of insignificance and expendability, with little if no chance of growth within the company.

     So instead of feeling much loss or distress from being told I lost my job because I didn’t switch my monitor screen settings the previous work night back from a vertical to a horizontal position (can you tell they wanted me outta there?), I felt relief. I almost felt glad…almost. I did like most of my coworkers, and won’t be able to see them as often now. One of these days though I hope to be fired for a legitimate reason like stealing from the vending machines, peeing under my desk or saying “cha-cha” too many times.

     Isn’t there something grossly wrong with this situation? To feel relief about losing a job instead of regret? Do companies honestly want to create employees that are completely indifferent about the place they spend the majority of their waking time? I suppose it makes the firing process that much easier, but it seems like a lot of companies have their priorities out of whack.

     I remember a few weeks ago being told to stop asking questions about my job/work because I was questioning authority (when in fact I was trying to learn), and was accused of insubordination. It’s hard for me to believe that the desire to learn and improve my performance can be looked upon as being negative. Yet again, I haven’t experienced many dictatorships either, but the rules by which that company governed its employees seem to fit in line with autocracy.

     Luckily for me I have faith in myself. I have faith in myself that I will become employed with a company that appreciates its employees. As long as I know and tell myself that my value to this world exceeds whatever dollar sign the corporate world wants to tag onto it, I’ll be just fine. Hopefully if you’re in the same situation as me right now, you have the same understanding about your worth.

I suggest reading the article: 10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job, by Steve Pavlina. It gives some real insight on jobs and work in general.

     Oh, I’m currently giving dance lessons for a fee if anyone of you out there in the dubya dubya dubya needs some help gettin’ jiggy wit it or crunked up or………..you get what I mean. Just hit me up. Peace.