Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Overview
Human Resources Transition Period Attendance Timecards Appearance Boss Co-Workers Soft Skills Employee Rights
Human Resources
First Stop Complete employment paperwork
Human Resources
Work Schedule and Lunch Period (Your supervisor might also provide this information) Payroll Period and Direct Deposit Information Paid Holidays, Sick Days, or Personal Days (How many and when are you eligible?) Vacation Days (How many and when are you eligible?)
Human Resources
Company Employment Policies such as use of electronic communications systems, conflict of interest, business travel, drug use and smoking, personal use of company resources, dress code, etc. Benefits (Life Insurance, Health, Disability, Accident, Savings Plan, Retirement Plan, and Tuition Reimbursement)
Learn the culture of the company - the mission and vision. Observe your co-workers, how they behave and act in a professional setting. Focus on the product you will be working on. Most companies have technical descriptions and product brochures. Ask to review these. Ask about anything you are not sure of or was not made clear to you.
Attendance
Woody Allen: 80% of success is just about showing up Attendance is necessary No call, no show = termination Finals / Midterms notify employer ASAP Always be punctual (lateness is not acceptable)
A schedule from 8:00 to 5:00 means sitting at your desk ready to work at 8:00 not coming in at 8:03, getting coffee, and start working at 8:30.
Timecards
Accurate timekeeping is important Multi-project time sheets Must be accurate Altering or misrepresenting your time on a timecard is illegal Not recording overtime is illegal
Appearance
Adhere to the dress code Dress to accommodate safety procedures (i.e. if working in a lab, closed toe shoes) Even if the code is casual, follow conservative dress rules Workstation organized, neat, and check with supervisor to learn company policy before bringing personal items (i.e. photos) Watch your language (a foul sounding mouth looks bad)
Supervisor
Initial training Decides on your job assignments Determines if you are meeting expectations Assesses your performance Decides on your salary increase Learn how to work with their management style
Completing your work assignments on time. Producing a high quality and accurate product. Acting professionally and responsibly at all times. Being positive and a team player. Keeping your boss informed as to the status of your tasks and alert him or her to any problems. (The worst thing to do is to let your boss get caught off guard.)
Take the initiative. Don't wait for work. Seek it out. Fill a need when you see a void or an opportunity (and make sure your supervisor knows you have offered to help). Show that you can think. Be creative and innovative. Develop a new way to perform a task or a new solution to a problem. Show a willingness to take on projects that have high visibility. That is how you get noticed.
Relating to Co-Workers
Get to know the people in your group Be someone that can be counted on Ask pertinent questions Do not be a know it all Learn to work with different types of people
Misunderstandings
People Assume You Have All the Facts Focus on the Person's Attitude, Personality, or Motives Ignore Others' Ideas and Viewpoints
Lack of Guidance
Take matters into your own hands. Speak with the supervisor. Emphasize your eagerness to learn the job and contribute to your group and the company.
Lack of Guidance
Ask your supervisor's advice on the steps you can take to speed up your development and to be assigned some projects to work on. Seek other mentors in the company.
Communication Skills
Prepare written status or progress reports to management Write specifications and technical descriptions Write engineering change orders Provide instructions to others
Communication Skills
Present your design concepts to senior engineering management at design reviews Communicate technical information to staff members that have no technical training Prepare product brochures and marketing materials
Teamwork Skills
You all work for the same company and the main goal is to produce the best product possible. Remain flexible and keep an open mind. Producing the optimum design requires every-one to make certain compromises, including you.
Teamwork Skills
Help other people whenever you can. Avoid being a know-it-all. Don't take opposition or critique of your concepts personally. In stating your position, rely on the facts and what you know, not opinion.
Performance Reviews
Technical Ability Knowledge of Job Functions Character Responsibility Initiative Cooperation
Performance Reviews
Ability to Inspire and Influence Others Emotional Stability Vision Decisiveness Coordination Resourcefulness
Employee Rights
Safe working environment Free from discrimination and harassment Breaks (in Nevada)
Employee Rights
Must sign release form to work more than 8 hours (i.e. 10 hour shifts); otherwise, considered overtime More than 40 hours per week is considered overtime for hourly employees (must pay time and a half)
Employee Rights
Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov/index.htm
http://www.workplacefairness.org
Workplace Fairness
Acknowledgments
ASME, International Professional Practice Curriculum:
http://www.professionalpractice.asme.org/index.htm