Today’s Workplace Demands

Work Core

Objectives• Understand change in the workplace• Define “Employability”• Identify the employability skills

needed today• Recognize the traits today’s

employers are looking for in employees

• Consider workplace traits that are undesirable

• Study and apply the basic guidelines for succeeding in the workplace

• This firm has reduced the hours of work. Clerical staff will now only have to be present between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.

• All clothing must be of a somber nature. Clerical staff will not wear bright colors, nor will they wear hose unless in good repair.

• Overshoes and topcoats may not be worn in the office, but neck scarves and headwear may be worn in inclement weather.

Change in the Workplace

• A stove is provided for the benefit of the clerical staff. Coal and wood must be kept in the locker. Clerical staff must bring four pounds of coal each day during cold weather.

• No member of the clerical staff may leave the room without permission from the supervisor.

• No talking is allowed during business hours.

• The craving for tobacco, wine, or spirits is a human weakness, and as such is forbidden to all members of the clerical staff.

Change in the Workplace

• Since the hours of business have been reduced, lunch time is allowed between 11:30 and noon, but work will not cease on any account.

• Members of the clerical staff will provide their own pens. A new sharpener is available on application to the supervisor.

Change in the Workplace

Areas of Change in the Workplace Today

New Manufacturing Technologies

New Customer Service Standards

Changing Skill Requirements

Changing Social and Team Skill Requirements

What is “Employability”?

Possessing qualities needed to maintain employment and progress in the workplace

Employability Skills Needed Today

Basic Skills:• Oral communications

(speaking, listening)• Reading, especially,

understanding and following instructions

• Basic arithmetic• Writing

Employability Skills Needed Today (cont’d)

Higher-order thinking skills:

• Problem-solving• Learning new

skills, strategies• Creative

innovative thinking

• Decision-Making

Employability Skills Needed Today (cont’d)

Affective skills & traits:• Dependability, responsibility• Positive attitude toward work• Conscientiousness, punctuality, efficiency• Interpersonal skills, cooperation, working as a team

member

• Self-confidence, positive self image• Adaptability, flexibility• Enthusiasm, motivation• Self-discipline, self management• Appropriate dress, grooming• Honesty, integrity• Ability to work without supervision

What are Employers Looking For?

• Willingness to learn and knowing how to learn

• Reading, writing and computation skills

• Listening and oral communication

• Adaptability• Personal management• Group (team) effectiveness• Influence

What Employers Don’t Want• Comes in late • Makes excuses• Is unorganized• Dresses improperly• Backstabs coworkers• Doesn’t use the proper chain of command• Procrastinates• Complains• Gossips• Makes personal telephone calls on company time• Shows a lack of respect for supervisors• Is uncooperative• Is rude and/or inconsiderate

Positive Employability Traits• Dress appropriately.• Leave personal problems at home.• Be punctual.• Have a positive attitude.• Consider yourself a team player.• Show respect for others.• Show your own motivation to

succeed and help the company succeed.

Positive Employability Traits

• Be professional. • Make a positive impression.• Present ideas in a non-

threatening way.• Lead by example.• Get the work done.

Basic Guidelines for Succeeding

• Empower yourself and others with confidence.

• Build good relationships.

• Make things better

• Concentrate on the problem, not the person who caused it.

• Be a leader by always doing your best.

How Would You Respond?

You and a coworker have a major difference of opinion about the way a particular problem at work should be handled. You both meet with the supervisor to resolve this issue and he listens to both solutions. He chooses your coworker’s position. How will you deal with your coworker after the meeting?

Q & A Session

How Would You Respond?

Two of your team members have had a disagreement and instead of talking to each other to resolve it, they are talking to everybody else with rude comments about each other. What is your reaction?

How Would You Respond?

You and a team member have been talking about ways to improve the production process in your department. You suggest an idea that seems to be a really good one. Later, in a department meeting, your team member presents your ideas as his own. Now what?

How Would You Respond?You are responsible for

training a new employee in a process that you have had great success in performing. You hear your supervisor explain the process incorrectly to the new hire. What do you do?

How Would You Respond?

You are responsible for training a new employee in a process that you have had great success in performing. You hear your supervisor explain the process incorrectly to the new hire. What do you do?

How Would You Respond?

A grouchy supervisor, who is always hard to get along with, seems to be taking it out on you lately. What is your reaction?