Are You a 'Value-Added' Employee?

What is your focus when you go to work? Are you thinking "What can I give today?" or "What can I get?" Both questions are important, however, the former will get you further faster. It's that simple.

Often, when I am consulting with a company or team, the hew and cry is "The company/ management does not do enough for me/us." This may certainly be true, however, my first question is the opposite, 'What are you doing for the company/management?'. That's the way the equation works best. You give and then you get. Strangely, that's the way it works best in any relationship. Have you noticed that?

What you pay attention to expands. If you are focused on what you think you are not getting, that overshadows everything. Attitudes shift and conversations turn into whining sessions. Soon, morale dips and everyone is complaining. Often, the complaints have grown completely out of proportion and no one remembers why they were attracted to the company in the first place.

You can change this. Be a 'value-added' employee. Build your strengths rather than focusing on company weaknesses. What a concept! You choose your focus and attitude. You choose how you use your time. You choose your perceptions and perspectives. Use that power to become 'value-added'!

Now, I'm not talking about giving 'til it hurts. No, I'm talking about the way you use your energy to focus on your career path. Sure, there are employers who devour employees and spit them out spent, burned out and disillusioned. They exist. If you're working for one of those...and examine it carefully to be sure...move on.

I am talking about your choices to create the career you want. How do you want to be seen in the workplace? How does your current position further your progress towards your goals? Why did you choose it? What is your plan and how can you best follow that blueprint in your present position? Be pro-active in your own life.

How do you want to be seen in the workplace? As competent, confident and valuable, or, as adequate, mediocre and expendable? Unless you are working for Attila, the Hun, the way folks see you is mostly in your control. Good employees come to work on time, do their tasks well, and cause few waves. Great employees do all that and more. They are focused on the company's mission and vision. They can be excellent team-players and excellent leaders when needed. They are clear about their own purposes and visions and know why they have chosen to work where they work. They care about others and help them to achieve their goals. They do these things because it clearly moves them further along their career paths. It is in their own best interest to do so. They have their 'eyes on the prize'.

Here are a few secrets. Many folks would rather complain about things than fix them. By being a 'fixer', you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather find fault than good. By catching people doing things well and commenting on it, you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather see what they can get away with than see what they can give. By giving just a little more than expected, you honor yourself and you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather feel 'done wrong' than state their needs and boundaries. By being clearly communicating what you need and want, you are saving time and energy...and being 'value-added'.

Which side of these equations are you working from? Only one will get you where you want to go...although you'll have much more company on the other. Your choice!

Your rights as an employee

Although every company will have its own specific rules and regulations, you have many rights at work that your employer is legally obliged to provide you with. Here are some of their main responsibilities:

• Employment contract - a written statement of employment terms within two months of starting work. This includes many things such as places of work, hours and benefits.

• An itemised pay slip – detailing earnings and deductions at every pay interval from the day you start work. Other monetary terms include the right to be paid the minimum wage and not to have unauthorised deductions taken out.

• Rights for time off – As well as at least four weeks holiday entitlement per year, you’re also permitted to take time off for trade union duties and activities, study and training (if you’re under 18) and various parental responsibilities. There are standard stipulations regarding minimum amount of notice you must give your employer before taking this time off and your employer may have their own conditions. If you’re facing redundancy you are also permitted to take time off to look for work.

• Health and safety – all employers must adhere to legislation designed to make your work environment full of as few dangers as possible, both physical and mental. So as well as obvious things like building regulations, it covers things like maximum working hours and rest breaks.

• Retirement - the right to carry on working until you are at least 65. During your employment, you must also have been given access to join a company run or independent pension scheme.

• Equality – every employee has the right not to be discriminated against on grounds of sex, race or religion, disability, sexual orientation and age, at any time during the job seeking and employment process. All employees also have the right to the same contractual rights (pro-rata) whether they’re a part-time, fixed term or full-time worker.

• Dismissal – to reduce the claims for unfair dismissal, all employers are required to have set procedure for asking employees to leave, and providing reasons when they do. If these procedures are not followed, you have the right to claim compensation.

Read your contract of employment very carefully and take it to your Trade Union, Citizens’ Advice Bureau or employment lawyer if there is anything you are not sure about.

Depending on your situation, not all the above terms are applicable. For example, members of the police or armed service automatically forgo their rights to maximum working hours and trainee doctors are not usually entitled to paid holidays.

Like all legal issues, your employment rights are detailed and complicated, with many conditions and exceptions. Your own circumstances may not be listed above, so speak to your HR department to find out the ins and outs of your particular situation.