(collaborative post) Not everyone has the desire or funds to work for themselves. Sometimes, it can be much better to work for someone else. That way you don’t have the stresses and responsibilities of running your own business. It makes sense to keep your boss on side. On the other hand, you don’t need to buy them a box of chocolates every week in your effort to stay in their good books. You also don’t need to flatter them at every opportunity. There are ways to stay on the right side of your boss that won’t strip you of your self-worth as a person, and that won’t cause other staff members to roll their eyes at you.
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Here are some suggestions that you might find useful to stay on their good side:
Be on Time Daily
There are reasons why we can be a little late to work on occasion. Maybe you forgot to set your alarm, got caught in traffic, or got locked in. It is important to make sure you don’t stand out for lateness. Aside from the obvious disruption at work, being late can affect other staff members too. You’ll not only be in your boss’s bad books you’ll also end up in your colleagues too. This can become a problem. Eventually, complaints will be made by those affected whether it’s clients, other staff or both. Eventually, you may end up in the firing line.
By setting alarms and by planning a route to work, we can overcome some reasons why we might be late. We might even aim to arrive earlier. This will give some wriggle room if there are any disruptions on the way to work. Don’t forget being late is not only perceived as rude, it is seen as disrespectful and selfish, in both work and personal life.
Stay Productive
We go to work in order to work. Although stating the obvious, you’d be amazed at how many try to do as little as possible. I’ve seen it many a time. Staff playing on their phones, playing games or messaging friends on facebook, getting friends to pose as customers and other novel ways to get around doing what they’re being paid to do. All this sort of thing is noticed, eventually those responsible will be warned and if they persist, lose their job. Some companies have staff interview for their own jobs to assess productivity, others observe how productive staff members are over the course of time. They’ll watch the number of hours you have logged on for and how much work is completed in the time frame.
With many jobs and businesses hanging in the balance now isn’t the time to rest on your laurels. Putting in time and effort into each project. Look at ways to improve efficiency. By taking such steps, you will get into and stay in your boss’s good books!
Don’t Commit a Fireable Offence
It’s amazing the things people will do at work sometimes that can get them fired. Aside from turning up late and invoking the wrath of your boss, not completing your work on time, there are other things that could cause your boss to write a termination letter. You’d be amazed at how many staff are caught taking office supplies home with them or criticising their boss to customers or on social media, or even leaking confidential information. Be sensible, think twice before you do something that could get you fired.
Stop Saying ‘No’
Bosses don’t like negative people. Those that are always negative, wingy and say they can’t do things all the time don’t tend to get far. Obviously, that depends on what has been requested and whether it fits into your job description. With all the chaos in businesses right now, lines between some jobs are getting blurred and you may be expected to do things you may not normally do. If it’s a reasonable request then make sure you take a relaxed approach and take on a few extra bits here and there. Don’t let them take advantage though.
If for example, they ask you to attend a meeting on their behalf, or go to a conference, or to work overtime occasionally, you might want to say ‘yes.’ You might also want to say ‘yes’ if they ask you to do something that isn’t in your job description, as your willingness to take on a new challenge might land you a promotion or make sure you are not considered for compulsory redundancy where there is a restructure. New skills gained can be added to your cv in case you do need to job hunt at a later date.
Come Forward with Ideas
There are some employers who are unwilling to listen to the ideas of their employees. Whereas, on the other hand, others welcome feedback and ideas. So, if your boss is reasonable and open to new ideas, speak up when you have something that may benefit the business. Even if your idea isn’t taken up, you might still impress your boss by coming forward with a suggestion. Most often bosses look favourably on those that are more assertive and can come up with fresh, helpful ideas and are willing to help get work done quickly and efficiently.
What do you do to stay on the right side of your boss? Do you have any tips that other readers might find useful?
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Written by Melanie Edjourian.
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I’m not a boss but I still get how frustrating it is when people are constantly late, it annoys me when I’ve been working for hours
The lateness of other staff members puts a strain on everyone else in some lines of work. It can be very frustrating.
I’m so lucky to work for such a great team. My boss and colleagues are more like family members than work colleagues. We work within Safeguarding, so our jobs are pretty tough at times, every day is a new challenge.
I totally understand the article and how to stay on the right side of your employer x
It’s good to hear you are working with a good team. That really makes a difference.
Those of you with great bosses are so lucky but even with horrible bosses, one should always have things in writing for when they dispute anything. Still, no one hates lateness so please be on time, people!
Lateness is one of my pet hate. I hate it when people are late for things.
These are great tips. I spent a number of years in the workforce, working for someone else before I started my own business. I wish someone had shared this information with me back in those days! While I would like to think that I was a pretty good employee and got along with my boss well, there is always room for improvement!
It’s great when you get on with your boss.
These are really very helpful tips you discussed in the post. I agree with all of them.
Thanks, I’m glad you liked the post x
Those are great tips for being an excellent employee. I agree that employees should be flexible, but sometimes bosses do take advantage and you do have to say ‘no’ to certain requests.
That’s very true. Some do attempt to take advantage!!!
Easy for me to stay on the right side of the boss, cos right now I am my boss. I have to say that not being on time is something that drives me crazy. If you have a job and turn up late consistently then expect consequences.
Ha, yes that makes it easier!!!! I hate lateness.I totally agree x
I’ve struggled a lot in the workplace and this would definitely come in handy for me esp. when I first started working, wish I’ve come across a similar post to this sooner!
It can be hard depending on the environment and other staff.
Great tips! Also, finding out a little bit about how their personality works seems to help at times.
It is good to be aware of different personalities of people at work.
This is so important to be on the right side of your boss or else you will have to face his wrath in appraisals. That said some bosses are really considerate and they are good leaders too. These are some helpful tips that everyone must follow!
Ha, yes that’s very true. Some bosses can be great which helps.
These sound like some good ideas for ways to stay on the right side of your boss, sometimes I’m very glad I don’t have one to be honest.
Me too. It’s so much easier working for yourself.
Great post. Only thing I’ve noticed when you do stop saying no and say yes. While everyone says no – you’re relied upon way too much – past your job description relied upon lol
It’s all about moderation. Some people can take advantage if you let them.
Positivity and having a good work ethic would be key for me! It’s great to have people that are idea generators, crack on and are full of energy – it’s up to the boss to motivate and praise.
I work on my own now but I used to work for two bosses in a large corporate before this so definitely agree with all our tips here. So important to give ideas and stop saying no to be on their good side.
Giving ideas can be very important especially now with work places removing dead weight.
I think being punctual is very important. No boss wants you turning up every day late. And also being polite. Who likes rude people? Great tips x
It’s amazing to see how some people don’t get the logical ways of keeping bosses on side. I’ve seen it all having had staff myself in the past.
It is a long time since I had a boss, unless you call my husband my boss when I used to wok for him, but that doesn’t count. It is important at how you work and express yourself
It is important to act appropriately at work. It’s shocking what some get up to.
Brilliant tips as you never want to annoy the person who is in charge and in control and could change everything in an instant. Sometimes I am glad I am my own boss though!
It’s best to stay on their good side. Me too!!!!
Luckily for me I am my own boss so don’t have to worry but these are some great tips for people who do
I used to be a manager, but my career has been stopped to raise the kids. My husband is still a manager and his frustrations include people saying no, inflexibility and absence!!
It is so important to maintain a good relationship with the people you work with.
I agree with all your points. However, I think that sometimes it becomes important to drop a no. That doesn’t make on negative person but a strong person.
That’s very true. It’s a case of using no and yes are the right times.