Chapter 3

Work Habits and Issues

Introduction• This chapter covers the following topics:• Defining good work habits• Health and safety issues• Workplace diversity• Workplace discrimination• Workplace harassment• Workplace ethics• Teamwork

Defining Good Work Habits

• Procrastination– Putting off important tasks

• Techniques to reduce procrastination :• Determine the cost of procrastination• Attack the burdensome task• Make small progress on an overwhelming

task

Defining Good Work Habits (cont’d.)

• Work success principles• Develop mission, goals, and strong work

ethic• Good attendance and punctuality• Stay on task• Operating with neatness, order, and speed• Work smarter not harder• Rest and relax when work is complete

Defining Good Work Habits (cont’d.)

• Techniques for productivity• Clean and organized workspace• Good use of technology• Focus on one task at a time• Planning

Health and Safety Issues

• Employer responsible for maintaining safe work areas– Personal protective equipment– Instruction and training

• Workers responsible for their own safety– Careful use of equipment– Report hazards and injuries

Health and Safety Issues (cont’d.)

• Only licensed electricians can legally perform electrical work

• Hazard identification– Spot the hazard– Assess the risk– Make the changes

Health and Safety Issues (cont’d.)

• Most common cause of electrocution– Contact with overhead wires

• Causes of electrical accidents :• Lack of training or supervision• Inadequate work practices• Poorly maintained equipment• Unauthorized repairs

Health and Safety Issues (cont’d.)

• General safety precautions :• Inspect tools regularly• Repair equipment with frayed cords• Release stored energy when

disconnecting equipment• Keep cords off the floor• Know location of the main electrical

disconnect

Workplace Diversity

• Workplace that respects employee differences– Seeks to maximize individual potential

• Examples of types of diversity– Age, disability, gender, ethnicity, education

Workplace Diversity (cont’d.)

• Challenges to workplace diversity:• Communication• Resistance to change• Level of management support

Workplace Discrimination

• Unequal treatment due to prejudice• 1964 Civil Rights Act guarantees equal

employment opportunity• Types of employment discrimination

– Age, national origin, disability, gender, race, religion

• Not all unfavorable treatment is caused by discrimination

Workplace Harassment

• Creating an unpleasant or hostile work environment:– Through verbal or physical conduct

• Behavior must be unwanted and continuing to constitute harassment

• Can impact performance in the workplace

Workplace Harassment (cont’d.)

• Examples of harassment types:• Bullying• Disability• Gender• Ethnic origin• Sexual• Retaliation

Workplace Harassment (cont’d.)

• Individual should report harassment immediately

• Employer can be held liable for workplace harassment

Workplace Ethics

• Set of established standards based on core values

• Moral guidelines specific to the work environment

• Ethical behavior categories– Abusive behavior– Cheating

Workplace Ethics (cont’d.)

• Ethical behavior categories : (cont’d.)• Confidentiality• Honesty• Initiative• Reliability• Self-control• Undue credit

Workplace Ethics (cont’d.)

• Benefits of effective ethics program :• Aligning workforce with mission and vision• Creating productive work environment• Hiring and retaining highly skilled

employees

Teamwork

• Team working together towards a common goal

• Example of PCB fabrication team roles :• Leader• Computer simulator• PCB designer• Fabricator

Teamwork (cont’d.)

• Example of PCB fabrication team roles (cont’d.) :

• Assembler• Recorder• Media presentation

Teamwork (cont’d.)• Techniques to become a better team

member :• Accept responsibility• Know your team role• Communicate• Get involved• Listen actively• Support other team members