I'm not sure about co-workers not being friends. The way I see it, once you enter full time employment work is the main place you meet people, the same way when you are a kid the main way you meet people is at school. Blocking out work as a source of potential friendships is blocking out more than half the opportunity. I don't think I've made any friends in the past 15(?) years that wasn't directly or indirectly through work.
Two memorable work life lessons?
- Thread starter Felon
- Start date
In one of my former jobs I made so many good friends, friendships which continued way after I left the role. If you're in a good role with similar minded people and you get on, I don't see any reason why you can't make good work friends.
The most important thing I've learned, is that even the most seemingly entrenched, taken-as-gospel, no matter how big the company, "No we absolutely cannot change it", "those are the rules", piece of poor decision making, or stupid process, policy or otherwise......it can always be changed....and it usually only takes one or two people with the authority (or even seeming to have the authority), to agree, and then it's done.
I got a major bank to pay me 20 days annual leave on a contract position like this. My argument was that they are trying to poach me from a position where I have these benefits so they need to match or better it or I'm not moving.
I got a major bank to pay me 20 days annual leave on a contract position like this. My argument was that they are trying to poach me from a position where I have these benefits so they need to match or better it or I'm not moving.
Soldato
I think the problem is becoming good friends with folks in your team who might be in competition with you for pay rises and promotions.
And watch out for people who are mates with people in your management chain as everything you say will get back to them.
Soldato
1: Never, ever volunteer for anything....ever!
2: Always behave like nobody has your best interests at heart, even if it seems like it.
2: Always behave like nobody has your best interests at heart, even if it seems like it.
I was going to disagree with this, but then I thought about all the times I did actually volunteer for anything - did it go/end well? The answer is no, literally every time...
Soldato
Be interested not interesting.
Remember it's just a job.
Remember it's just a job.
Had to remind my of this yesterday when I started getting annoyed with a user.
Soldato
Yep you can go home after your shift, they will continue to be a moron
Soldato
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- 7 Jan 2009
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For me personally, Its don't go above and beyond for a company anymore.
Sure a lot of people would argue that "That'll never get you anywhere" with that mentality, However after serving in one company for over 18 years and what they did to everyone it really opened my eyes.
Not going to go into specifics as its a long one, But yeah...do what is expected of you, And go home!
Sure a lot of people would argue that "That'll never get you anywhere" with that mentality, However after serving in one company for over 18 years and what they did to everyone it really opened my eyes.
Not going to go into specifics as its a long one, But yeah...do what is expected of you, And go home!
On top of this.
Never break your back to make another person rich. Do your hours and go home.
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Soldato
Absolutely this. I used to pick up all the nasty bugs nobody else would touch.
Then I got pulled up on my performance, because purely based on bug resolution stats I was doing less than everyone else.
These days my stats are great, my work is easier and less stressful, and all the nasty bugs sit in the queue for months until the customer starts kicking and screaming because the SLA date was 6 weeks ago and nobody has even looked at it
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My current place doing just enough Vs more can be the difference between 2% pay rise and no bonus and 10% pay rise and 10% bonus. So I'm definitely going to put more effort in. Definitely had some jobs where it madness no difference though, I think it comes down to who exactly knows your working harder Vs not. I'm lucky that my immediate superior is the owner/director.
Another one I learnt recently, it’s an old one but it’s a great one:
There are two sides to every story.
I’ve definitely learnt to reserve judgement on people, before hearing their side of the story.
When someone is ****** off, or has fallen apart at work, or is generally not performing or they leave, there’s usually a reason for it that’s quite understandable and rational.
There are two sides to every story.
I’ve definitely learnt to reserve judgement on people, before hearing their side of the story.
When someone is ****** off, or has fallen apart at work, or is generally not performing or they leave, there’s usually a reason for it that’s quite understandable and rational.
If a company has a really bad glass door rating, (less than 2.5), run for the hills.
Don't lie on your CV, companies are using more sophisticated background checking companies to verify details these days - adding an extra few months or year to a role, can really catch you out later.
Don't lie on your CV, companies are using more sophisticated background checking companies to verify details these days - adding an extra few months or year to a role, can really catch you out later.
Soldato
Small family owned/run business are worse, doubly so if you’re not part of that family.
You might just be employee #14247 to a big corporation, but that beats being the “odd one out” in a small workplace.