Workplace Behavior
Be the Employee Others Can Trust
Workplace behavior is the way you act, communicate, and complete your responsibilities while on the job. It includes how you treat coworkers and customers, how reliably you complete assignments, how you respond to feedback, and how you represent your employer.
Positive workplace behavior means:
Professionalism does not mean being perfect or never disagreeing. It means handling responsibilities, problems, and disagreements in a mature and respectful way.
Why This Skill Matters
Your behavior can be just as important as your technical ability. Employers value workers who are dependable, honest, respectful, willing to learn, and able to cooperate with others.
Positive workplace behavior can help you:
One poor decision may not define your career, but repeated lateness, disrespect, dishonesty, or failure to complete assignments can damage your reputation and cost you a job.
Step-by-Step Guidance
Learn the expectations
During your first days on the job, review the employee handbook, dress code, work schedule, attendance rules, safety procedures, and technology policies.
Ask questions such as:
- Who should I contact if I will be late or absent?
- How early should I arrive?
- When are breaks scheduled?
- What should I wear?
- May I use my phone during work hours?
- Who can answer questions when my supervisor is unavailable?
Do not assume every workplace follows the same rules.
Be punctual and dependable
Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can be ready when your shift begins. Allow extra travel time for traffic, weather, parking, or public transportation delays.
If an emergency will make you late or absent, notify the appropriate person as soon as possible. Follow the employer's call-out procedure instead of asking a coworker to pass along the message.
Dress and prepare appropriately
Follow the workplace dress code and maintain good personal hygiene. Bring any required identification, uniform, safety equipment, notebook, or tools.
Different jobs have different standards. Clothing appropriate for a construction site may not be appropriate for an office, restaurant, healthcare facility, or customer-service position.
Communicate professionally
Listen carefully, speak respectfully, and give others your full attention. Use an appropriate tone in conversations, emails, texts, and online meetings.
When receiving an assignment:
- Listen without interrupting.
- Ask questions if something is unclear.
- Repeat important details to confirm your understanding.
- Write down deadlines or instructions.
- Provide an update if circumstances change.
Avoid gossip, insults, inappropriate jokes, angry messages, and arguments in front of customers.
Manage your time
Identify your most important responsibilities and complete them before less important tasks. Avoid unnecessary phone use, long personal conversations, excessive breaks, or browsing unrelated websites.
If you cannot meet a deadline, tell your supervisor early. Explain the situation honestly and ask which responsibility should receive priority.
Work well with others
Treat coworkers fairly, including people whose backgrounds, beliefs, personalities, or experiences differ from yours. Share information, offer reasonable assistance, and give credit when someone helps.
You do not have to become close friends with everyone, but you are responsible for behaving respectfully.
Respond constructively to feedback
Feedback is intended to help you improve. Listen carefully before explaining or defending yourself.
A professional response might be:
"Thank you for letting me know. I understand what needs to change, and I'll correct it."
If the feedback is unclear, ask for an example and what successful performance would look like.
Take responsibility for mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes. If you make one:
- Acknowledge it promptly.
- Notify the appropriate person.
- Explain the facts honestly.
- Help correct the problem.
- Identify how you will prevent it from happening again.
Trying to hide a mistake often causes more damage than the original error.
Respect privacy and workplace property
Protect customer, employee, financial, medical, and company information. Do not share confidential information with friends, family members, or on social media.
Use workplace equipment and supplies responsibly. Never remove property without permission.
Handle problems appropriately
When possible, discuss a minor misunderstanding calmly and privately. Focus on the specific behavior or problem instead of attacking the other person.
For example:
"When the schedule changed and I wasn't notified, I missed an important assignment. How can we make sure I receive future updates?"
Bring serious, repeated, or unsafe behavior to a supervisor, human resources representative, union representative, or another appropriate workplace contact.
Know your rights
Being professional does not mean accepting unsafe conditions, unpaid work, discrimination, harassment, threats, or retaliation. Document serious incidents and seek help through the proper workplace or government channels.
In an immediate emergency, move to safety and call 911.
A Realistic Example
Jordan works part-time at a grocery store. One afternoon, the bus is delayed and Jordan realizes that arriving on time may be impossible.
Instead of waiting until the shift begins, Jordan calls the store manager, explains the delay, gives an estimated arrival time, and apologizes. After arriving, Jordan quickly gets ready and asks which assignment needs attention first.
Later, a supervisor explains that Jordan stocked several products on the wrong shelves. Jordan feels embarrassed but does not argue or blame another employee. Jordan says:
"Thank you for showing me. I misunderstood the shelf numbers. I'll correct these items and double-check the numbers from now on."
The Result
Jordan's supervisor sees someone who communicates, accepts responsibility, and learns from mistakes. A transportation delay and stocking error become opportunities to demonstrate dependability and maturity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Arriving late without notifying anyone
Frequently calling out for avoidable reasons
Using a phone when personal use is prohibited
Ignoring instructions because you are afraid to ask questions
Gossiping or sharing another employee's personal information
Complaining constantly without suggesting solutions
Arguing with a supervisor or customer in public
Sending angry emails or messages
Posting negative comments, workplace conflicts, or confidential information online
Blaming others or hiding mistakes
Making offensive jokes or comments
Taking longer breaks than allowed
Performing personal activities while being paid to work
Ignoring safety rules to finish faster
Assuming professional behavior requires tolerating harassment or unsafe conditions
Leaving a job without proper notice when giving notice is reasonably possible
Simple Workplace Behavior Checklist
Before or during each shift, ask yourself:
Recommended Next Steps
Read your employee handbook or ask where to find it.
Learn your workplace's attendance and call-out procedures.
Program your supervisor's or workplace's number into your phone.
Prepare your clothing, transportation, and supplies the night before work.
Ask your supervisor to explain your three most important responsibilities.
Practice receiving feedback without becoming defensive.
Identify one workplace habit you can improve this week.
Keep a private record of your accomplishments, training, and positive feedback.
Learn whom to contact about payroll, safety, harassment, or other serious concerns.
When leaving a position, remain respectful and try to preserve a positive professional reference.
Trustworthy Resources
CareerOneStop
Career exploration, training, job-search assistance, and workplace skill information from the U.S. Department of Labor.
CareerOneStop Competency Model
Information about professionalism, integrity, interpersonal skills, and other workplace competencies.
U.S. Department of Labor: Worker Rights
Information about federal wage and hour protections.
OSHA: Worker Rights and Protections
Guidance concerning workplace safety, reporting hazards, and protection from retaliation.
EEOC: Employee Rights
Information about discrimination, harassment, reasonable accommodations, and equal employment rights.
EEOC: Harassment
Guidance for recognizing and addressing unlawful workplace harassment.
State laws and individual workplace policies may provide additional protections or requirements.
Key Choice
Choose to be the employee others can trust: arrive prepared, treat people respectfully, communicate honestly, and take responsibility for your work.