Work Ethic Skills: Top 8 Values to Develop

Work ethic is a valuable attribute that employers look for in every industry. Showing the
values associated with a good work ethic can increase your employability and help you
position yourself for better job opportunities. Employees with excellent work ethic are
often considered by employers for opportunities for special projects because they’re
reliable, dedicated and disciplined. This list will help you identify ways that you can
highlight your work ethic in any job.

What is work ethic?

Work ethic is an attitude of determination and dedication toward one’s job. Those with a
strong work ethic place a high value on their professional success. They exhibit moral
principles that make them outstanding employees in any position. If you have a strong
work ethic, you believe in the importance of your job and typically feel that hard work is
essential to maintaining a strong character.
Examples of work ethic skills
Employees with a strong work ethic exhibit a particular set of values and behaviors. These
characteristics make them stand out as highly coveted team members and praise-worthy
employees.
Reliability
Employees with a strong work ethic are very reliable. You can expect these
individuals to be on time for shifts and meetings. They meet their deadlines and
offer quality work. A reliable coworker makes an excellent teammate because they
contribute fairly to projects.
Dedication
Part of a good work ethic is commitment and dedication to the job. They
know how to focus on tasks without being distracted. These employees usually
work until they finish their duties. They stay with one company for long periods of
time.
Discipline
Discipline is an essential part of showing a good work ethic. Highly
disciplined employees show determination and commitment to the job. They strive
to meet or exceed expectations and seek opportunities to learn new skills and
improve their performance.
 Productivity
A strong work ethic translates to outstanding productivity. Productive
employees often have a higher output than their counterparts. They complete
projects early and do more than the minimum requirements.
Cooperation
A good work ethic is something that employees often spread to those
around them by cooperating willingly on projects. They show good teamwork and
readily assist others when needed.
Integrity
Professional integrity means holding oneself to high moral principles. Those
with a strong work ethic also have outstanding integrity. They’re honest, polite and
fair to others.
Responsibility
Demonstrating strong work ethic requires a keen sense of responsibility.
Those who are ethical and responsible hold themselves accountable for their
actions. They will accept the blame for errors they’ve contributed to and proactively
work to fix these issues.
Professionalism
Employees with a good work ethic almost always maintain their
professionalism. They exhibit a professional attitude clear in the way they dress,
speak and carry themselves. They’re respectful, focused, organized and neat.

How to improve work ethic skills?

You can exhibit notable work ethic skills by acting professionally and dedicating yourself
to the job. Try these tips to demonstrate your work ethic:
1. Act as an ambassador of the company
Maintain a positive attitude toward the company in both professional and personal
interactions. Seek ways to further the business even if they’re outside the scope of your
job. For example, a finance professional may pass a potential lead along to a sales
representative.
2. Prioritize your professional responsibilities
Maintain good attendance, return promptly from lunch and arrive for meetings early. Strive
to make personal appointments that don’t interfere with your work schedule and only take
personal calls on your cell phone when you’re at lunch.
3. Seek professional development
Independently seek ways to improve your work performance, such as taking night
classes, attending weekend seminars or reading industry publications.
4. Review your work
Submit thorough work that you have double-checked for quality and consistency. Manage
your time properly so you can deliver projects early and give each task the time and
attention it requires.
5. Show respect to others
Speak politely to and about others in the workplace. Keep your interactions professional
to show your respect for others.

Ways to highlight work ethic skills

Showing the qualities of a good work ethic can help you improve your performance in any
career. Employers look for the values associated with a strong work ethic when they’re
hiring or promoting employees. Employees can gain hard skills through training and
education, but the soft skills associated with work ethic are more difficult to impart, so
hiring managers typically look for individuals who already exhibit these qualities. Use the
following tips to highlight your work ethic to prospective employers.

Work ethic skills for your resume

A strong work ethic is difficult to convey on a resume but you can emphasize some values
associated with it as you describe your responsibilities in previous jobs. Highlight any
instances where a previous client or employer selected you for a prestigious project or
challenging task. This shows you’re trustworthy and reliable. Detail any instances where
you worked overtime to meet a deadline or handle an important issue. List awards and
other recognition that you have received as these show your commitment to the job.

Work ethic skills for your cover letter

Your cover letter gives you some flexibility to discuss your work ethic in more detail.
Mention skills associated with a strong work ethic, such as your dependability and
discipline. Mention that you’re seeking a job that will challenge you and provide room for
growth. This lets your prospective employer know that you want to work hard to do an
outstanding job.
Work ethic skills for the job interview
The interview is the best place to show your work ethic. You can exhibit the essential
values associated with a good work ethic throughout the interview process by:
 Arriving promptly before the interview
 Dressing professionally
 Giving a firm handshake and making eye contact
 Speaking respectfully to your interviewer
 Responding honestly to difficult questions, such as why you’re leaving your current
job
 Providing examples of your integrity, such as an instance where you made a
mistake but admitted to it and took steps to remedy the error
 Mentioning your willingness to work long hours to get the job done.
Source: Work Ethic Skills: Top 8 Values to Develop.https://www.indeed.com/career-
advice/career-development/work-ethic-skills. Retrieved on January 22, 2021

SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

Workplace safety is crucial, regardless of a business, its size or its industry. Without the
proper workplace safety measures in place, a company puts its employees, customers,
brand reputation and revenues in danger. Additionally, failure to teach employees how to
maintain a safe work environment may lead to on-the-job accidents, injuries and, worst
of all, fatalities.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported 5,190
employees were killed on the job in 2016. Meanwhile, OSHA has partnered with
companies nationwide to find the best ways to limit workplace dangers. To date, OSHA
and its partners have been successful in their workplace safety efforts, reducing the
average number of worker deaths per day from 38 in 1970 to 14 in 2016.
Of course, even a single workplace accident or injury can have far-flung ramifications.
But with the right approach to workplace safety, a company can develop initiatives to
engage and inform its workforce about the short- and long-term ramifications of on-the-
job dangers.
There are lots of reasons to prioritize workplace safety, and these include:
*You can create a safe, productive work environment. Every business wants to
provide its employees with a safe place to work. At the same time, every business wants
to help its workers maximize their potential. By prioritizing workplace safety, a company
can provide its workers with a safe environment where they can optimize their day-to-day
productivity.
*You can reduce employee absenteeism. The S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS)
estimates that companies suffer more than $40 billion in annual financial losses due to
employee absenteeism. Employees who miss work due to on-the-job accidents or injuries
are unable to contribute to a company’s success. Yet a company that prioritizes
workplace safety can reduce the number of on-the-job accidents and injuries, as well as
employee absenteeism associated with these issues.
*You can increase employee satisfaction. A safe workplace is a happy workplace, and
research shows that safety plays a vital role in the development of a positive work
environment that fosters employee satisfaction. Harvard Business Review points out
companies that protect workers against negative events frequently can reduce employee
stress and create a positive workplace. Perhaps best of all, these businesses are more
likely than others to attract and retain top talent – something that is exceedingly important
in today’s highly competitive global marketplace.
*You can cut your employee insurance claims. Workplace accidents and injuries raise
employee insurance claims, and ultimately, may put a significant dent in a company’s
bottom line. Comparatively, a company-wide commitment to workplace safety limits the
risk of on-the-job accidents and injuries, along with employee insurance claims related to
these incidents.
*You can safeguard your most valuable asset – your employees. What good is a
business without its employees? Prioritizing workplace safety shows employees that a
company cares about their health and well-being. It enables a company to safeguard its
employees against a wide range of workplace dangers and ensures that workers get the
support they need to protect themselves against these risks.
Clearly, there are many things that a company can do to prioritize workplace safety. It
generally won’t take long for a company to bolster its workplace safety efforts, either.
Now, let’s take a look at seven tips to help your company create a safe, productive work
environment.
Identify Workplace Hazards
A workplace safety analysis checklist can make a world of difference for a
company, as this checklist enables a business to identify and assess risks and
plan accordingly. This checklist should focus on the following areas:
Equipment: Examine equipment that workers use to perform day-to-day
tasks, along with potential dangers associated with this equipment.
Environment: Review environmental conditions that may contribute to
employee accidents or injuries.
Employee Behaviors: Assess day-to-day employee behaviors that may
create unnecessary risks.
Once you identify workplace hazards, educate employees about these dangers.
Also, track workplace injury statistics and the costs associated with them; with
these statistics in hand, you can take a data-driven approach to drive workplace
safety improvements in the years to come.

Develop a Company-Wide Workplace Safety Training Program

Building a safe workplace requires a team effort. If you implement a workplace
safety training program, your company can educate its employees about on-the-
job dangers and teach them how to address such problems.
A workplace safety program should be updated regularly. If a company keeps its
workplace safety program up to date, it can ensure that employees receive the
training they need to reduce or eliminate on-the-job emergencies.

Gear Up for Safety

Effective workplace safety requires the right gear. Therefore, your company should
invest in myriad workplace safety items, such as:
Breathing masks
First aid kit
Fire extinguishers
Gloves
Goggles
 Hard hats
Protective clothing, headgear and/or footgear
When it comes to workplace safety, it is always better to err on the side of caution.
Thus, your company should pick up workplace safety products to address on-the-
job dangers associated with employees’ day-to-day activities. For instance, a
construction company should provide hard hats to all workers who may be
exposed to falling objects. Or, medical personnel who handle sharp needles should
be required to wear protective gloves at all times.

Keep Emergency Exits Clear

There is no telling when an emergency will occur or when employees will need to
quickly evacuate your building. As such, it is essential to set up emergency exits
throughout your workplace. Emergency exits should be clearly marked, and
employees should receive information about the locations of all emergency exits
across a building. Furthermore, your company should keep all emergency exits
and equipment emergency shutoffs clear at all times – without exception.

Encourage Workers to Stay Active

Sedentary workers may be more susceptible to heart disease, obesity, muscular
issues and other long-term health issues. However, if your company encourages
workers to stay active, it can help employees remain healthy, safe and productive.
Provide workers with regular breaks so that they can get up and move around
during the day. You also can host meetings at different locations in an office; that
way, workers can walk from their workstations to various meeting locations across
an office.

Help Employees Manage Workplace Stress

Let’s face it – no one wants to work in a stressful environment. As an employee’s
stress levels rise, it becomes more likely that he or she could suffer an on-the-job
accident or injury. Fortunately, a company that limits workplace stress can help
employees remain calm, cool and collected, regardless of the situation.
Meeting with employees and identifying workplace stressors is key. If managers
understand workplace stressors, they can work with employees to alleviate these
issues.
 Providing employees with consistent support is important, too. An “open door”
policy, for example, may encourage workers to share their workplace concerns
with their superiors any time they feel stressed.

Give Workers the Opportunity to Speak Up About Unsafe Work Conditions

Provide workers with the opportunity to share their workplace safety concerns with
their superiors – you will be glad you did. If employees can report unsafe work
conditions, they can collaborate with their superiors to eliminate such problems
and prevent them from recurring.
Workplace safety requires ongoing collaboration between managers and
employees across a company. Together, managers and employees can analyze
on-the-job dangers and determine the best ways to eliminate such problems. They
also can brainstorm ways to simultaneously reduce on-the-job risks and bolster
workplace productivity.
Don’t leave workplace safety to chance. Instead, take advantage of the
aforementioned tips, and your company can teach its employees everything they
need to know about workplace safety. And as a result, your company may be better
equipped than ever before to avoid on-the-job accidents, injuries and fatalities.
Source: Zarrili, Z. (2018).The Importance of Safety in the Workplace.
https://www.surefirecpr.com/the-importance-of-safety-in-the-workplace/. Retrieved on
January 22, 2021.

WORKPLACE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

It’s important to understand your workplace rights and responsibilities in

regards to pay and conditions, health and safety and workplace bullying.

By law, your employer is responsible for making sure:

 your work environment is safe and providing appropriate protective

equipment if necessary
 workers are free from discrimination and bullying
 you receive all your entitlements in terms of pay and conditions.

As a worker, you are responsible for:

  understanding the conditions of your employment. This includes
knowing your rate of pay, working hours and entitlements to breaks
and leave
 working in a way that is not harmful to the health and safety of
yourself or others
 knowing what to do if you think your employer is not meeting their
responsibilities.

Make sure you:

 understand the conditions of your employment. This includes your

rate of pay, working hours and your entitlements for breaks, leave
and public holidays
 know your rights in regards to discrimination and bullying. Know
what to do if you experience or witness this in your workplace
 know the health and safety requirements of your workplace.
Know how to maintain a safe environment for yourself and others
 have access to all of the appropriate safety gear and
equipment. Know what to do in the event of an accident
 know where to get help on workplace health and safety issues
relevant to your state or territory.

To know your workplace rights and responsibilities, understand the

conditions of your employment and where to get information when you
need it.
Source: Job Jumpstart. https://www.jobjumpstart.gov.au/article/know-your-workplace-
rights-and-responsibilities. Retrieved on January 22, 2021

Teamwork & Conflict Resolution

When a work group begins to work as a team, productivity and efficiency are increased.
Teams not only improve their work output, they also develop the ability to police
themselves and resolve internal team conflicts. A team leader who understands the
various elements of teamwork that assist in conflict resolution can better prepare the team
to take care of issues as they arise and maintain group productivity.
Equality
Equality in a team means that the team develops methods for delegating responsibility
and performing work tasks that are equally effective for all team members. It prevents
team members from feeling alienated from the rest of the group and helps to build a strong
sense of team purpose. Encouraging a uniform distribution of responsibility within a team
helps prevent conflict. If conflict happens because one or more team members feel that
they are not being allowed to contribute, then analyzing the team methods for work
distribution and task accomplishment helps resolve the issue.

Respect for Hierarchy

A team develops its own hierarchy, designed to keep the group running smoothly and
effectively. But conflict can arise when some members of the group feel that it would be
better served if their ideas were more prominent in the team decision-making process.
The team needs to respect the group hierarchy to maintain productivity. The one thing
that can degrade the hierarchy is ineffective leadership. This is where strong team conflict
resolution policies come into place. The team needs to have a way of addressing and
replacing weak leadership. A process that includes re-examining the hierarchy and a
majority vote to make changes can be one way of resolving this sort of team conflict. A
majority vote prevents the vocal minority from assuming control.

Support and Feedback

A team develops its own way of supporting members and providing pertinent feedback.
Without team members supporting each other and offering necessary feedback on work
performance, the group has no way of improving its productivity. Conflict can arise when
group members do not communicate with each other and individuals do not know if their
performance within the group is acceptable and productive. Avoid conflict by having
weekly staff meetings where members can discuss work performance and help each
other resolve workplace issues.

Diversity
Diversity can cause conflicts among team members. Intolerance of diverse backgrounds
can cause internal conflict, and those kinds of conflicts are resolved by developing an
understanding for each other or by dismissing the intolerant parties. But one aspect of
diversity that can create conflict is a feeling of inadequacy. Team members with more
experience or that have a strong understanding of their job duties can make other group
members feel inadequate. Team leaders can dilute this sort of conflict by not using the
same team members for important group tasks. When each team member sees his value
in a diverse team setting, you can lower the chances of conflict.
 Team Project: Perceptions That Build Work Relationships
Creating an atmosphere of teamwork in the workplace requires the development of proper
perceptions among staff members. When employees know what to expect of one another
and the team as a unit, it becomes easier to create effective working bonds within the
group. Understanding the perceptions that build work relationships can assist you in
creating effective team-building activities.

Skill Set
Have team members spend time training and working with one another to develop a better
understanding of one another's skill set. Employees will begin to rely on others in the
group for contributions based on their core competencies; this will help create a more
efficient group. When team members know who to rely on to get tasks completed for each
project, it will make accomplishing goals easier.

Communication
A perception among effective work groups is that there is smooth and open
communication between team members and management. To develop confidence in
team communication, members need to hear information firsthand from other members
as opposed to receiving information in memos from company management. Make sure
that the group gets together regularly to discuss issues and exchange information that is
necessary for the completion of projects.

Hierarchy
Encourage each team to develop its own hierarchy for processing and acting on
information. The predetermined hierarchy of managers and supervisors helps create a
structure from which the team can work. But team members also need to develop their
own hierarchy based on those in the group who have earned their respect. As a result,
when situations arise that don't require management involvement, the team can turn to
their own unwritten hierarchy to process information and deal with situations. This team-
based hierarchy will help the team operate more efficiently and can also help prepare
employees for future management positions.

Conflict Resolution
People in a workplace setting tend to disagree from time to time. Groups working on
projects need to believe that they can resolve internal conflicts without external mediation.
Bonds between members can erode if an outside mediator is assigned to settle team
disputes. The perception of successful and efficient teams is that they can resolve
conflicts on their own quickly without compromising the fate of projects.
 Biggest Barriers to Teamwork
Efficient teamwork improves the professional bonds between employees and between
the staff and management. Encouraging teamwork raises staff morale and has a positive
impact on productivity. But there are barriers to developing an effective team atmosphere,
and being able to identify the biggest barriers to teamwork is an important part of being a
corporate manager.

Bad Leadership
A team without an effective leader is not going to be a productive team. Leaders need to
establish the policies that govern the team and help the team achieve its goals. When a
leader lacks vision or the ability to effectively manage the team, then the group loses the
motivation and confidence necessary to come together as a unit.

Poor Goal Planning

For a team to feel effective and relevant, it needs to have well-defined goals to
accomplish. Long-term team goals need to be broken down into smaller milestones so
that the team is able to chart its success or failure and make any necessary changes to
its procedures. When there are no clearly defined goals for the team to achieve, the team
members do not have a way of utilizing their individual talents and they have no way of
pooling those talents toward achieving a common result.

Poor Communication
An effective team has developed an efficient method of communication that processes
incoming information and distributes it to the proper parties. Good team communication
also means that each of the team members feels comfortable and confident when
addressing other members of the group. The group is able to communicate without egos
or personal agendas getting in the way. A team with a poor communication structure, or
no communication structure at all, has no way of getting information to the team members
that need it. A lack of internal communication does not allow the group members to bond
and find ways of solving the issues that face the team.

Personality Clashes
People who have their own agenda that they are unwilling to compromise for the good of
the group will be some of the biggest barriers to developing an efficient team. A lack of
respect for other members of the team can lead to conflict within the team and cause
people who have personal issues with each other to disrupt the constructive nature of the
group.
 How to Build a High-Performance Team in the Workplace
Many workplaces require collaboration to accomplish projects or organizational goals.
Teamwork can facilitate solutions to complex problems and improve productivity. High-
performance teams in the workplace make this success possible by combining individual
talents to achieve a common goal. Since the 1980s, organizations and companies have
placed an increasing amount of importance on the use of teams in the workplace. Building
a high-functioning team involves more than just delegating tasks to a random group of
people; it requires forethought and an effective approach.
1.Figure out the team's purpose and assemble the group's members. For example, a
research team may benefit from members with diverse backgrounds. Production teams
and teams that form advisory panels and committees may benefit more by including
people who can effectively work together. A September 2010 "Science" journal article by
Anita Williams Woolley, et al, looked at the factors that contribute to group intelligence.
The study found that the higher the number of females in the group, how well the group
distributed turn-taking and the extent to which each group member was socially sensitive
correlated with higher intelligence of the group as a whole. The authors theorized that
because women generally score higher on social sensitivity, having more of them on a
team makes the team smarter.

2.Identify a leader for the workplace team. An effective leader can motivate and enhance
team performance by fostering communication among the team's members, keep the
group on task and challenge members to work at their absolute best. Look for someone
who possesses charisma and who uses a transformational style of leadership as these
elements of a leader can inspire and motivate team members.

3.Meet with the team to discuss and define the group's purpose or mission. Think about
why the team was formed, what problem is being addressed, whom the team's actions
affect and the goals of your entire organization or company. A successful team must align
its mission with the overall objectives or vision for the company or organization. Put your
team's mission in writing so that the team can see the "big picture" and work with one
common goal in mind.

4.Discuss the team's ground rules and solicit suggestions from each member. For
example, discuss confidentiality, communication among group members and how
disagreements will be handled. Explain that each person on the team has a specific role
and that each person's idea or suggestion will be considered. Set practical rules, such as
attendance at team meetings, how often and where the team will meet.
5.Set team goals. Measurable goals and benchmarks support the group's overall mission,
but give the team a concrete objective. Think about the actions the team must take to
achieve its overall purpose. Break these actions down into measurable, attainable goals
and set a deadline for meeting each goal.

6.Distribute individual tasks among team members and develop a system of

accountability. Depending on the types of tasks the group must accomplish, one, two or
more people may be assigned to a single task. Accountability may involve requiring each
member to report back to the team when a task is completed or has met an obstacle. For
example, hold periodic meetings to check each other's progress so you know whether
each member is on track and can offer help to a team member who may not be able to
complete his task on time.

Characteristics of a High-Performance Team

According to Dr. Tyrone Holmes, president of T.A.H. Performance Consultants, a high-
performance team is a "group of interdependent individuals who work together in a
specific manner to achieve a common objective." High-performance work teams are
distinguished by their ability to function at a high level for extended periods of time, in the
most efficient and effective manner possible. Teams of this type come in many shapes
and sizes, and there is no one team model that is right for every business; however, there
are a few foundational characteristics that seem to underpin most high-performance
teams.

Diversity
Effective teams are composed of members with a wide range of skills and experiences
from which to draw for support, guidance and motivation. Dynamic teams have members
with particular strengths and weaknesses that compliment one another and a variety of
personalities to fulfill different roles of leadership, logistics, creative direction and
discipline. Effective teams respect and embrace differences of opinion.

Clear Goals and Expectations

Clear goals and timetables drive high-performance teams, as does a knowledge of
professional expectations. To have multiple people work toward a common goal
objectives must be clearly understood by all team members, and each person must know
exactly what his responsibilities are in relation to the achievement of team objectives.
Progress toward goals should be measured at regular intervals to ensure the different
elements of the project are progressing together in a timely fashion.
Effective Communication
Teams rely on effective communication to pool their work efforts. Effective oral and written
communication is clear and concise. It is important that each team member feels
comfortable speaking her mind about her responsibilities on a project to allow for the
expression of creative ideas and to ensure that questions are raised before mistakes are
made. Regular group meetings and email should keep everyone up to date on team
progress and new developments.

Trust
Members of high-performance teams trust one another to pull their own weight and get
their jobs done to the best of their ability, within the time frames set out. When team
members don't trust one another to successfully complete their tasks, time gets wasted
monitoring others' working habits, which can take away from other tasks and lead to
animosity in the work environment. It is a good idea to give new team members work of
greater importance as they get acclimatized to the team and its projects and after they
have proved themselves by producing quality work that is less critical to team project
goals.

Ownership
High-performance team members are empowered by a sense of ownership for what the
team produces; they feel they have a stake in the success of team projects. Encourage
this by asking for the input of team members in the design and development stages of a
project or when major decisions are being made. Including team members when setting
goals and objects for a project also can be effective in these respects.
Source: Teamwork & Conflict Resolution.https://smallbusiness.chron.com/teamwork-
conflict-resolution-11722.html. Retrieved on January 22, 2021