I can't really answer this poll because of the way the questions are skewed. I mean, there are times when going 'above and beyond' is politically unwise so I refrain, but I regularly offer my added skills as needed. So my answer is: sometimes. But I offer them without any specific expectation around them. And if my boss asks me to do something _that I don't mind doing_ well, then... that means that I don't mind doing it. There are other people here at my office who are doing jobs similar to what I've already done and I can see that they are struggling simply because they haven't done their job long enough to figure out their best way of doing it, but I'm the new kid at this company, so how *I* do things lacks some of the specific corporate history... which I know is useful and relevant and can only be acquired over time.
I've been at a lot of jobs that have taken advantage of me, because I let them take advantage of me. I've worked at jobs that didn't give me the credit when it was due so I had to learn how to either stand up for myself or accept that the work environment was toxic (and leave). I didn't get the opportunity to really learn that until I'd been laid off from a place with a back-stabbing, lying wench who considered herself my boss (as she was of the whole damn planet) and an actual boss who regularly caved in to her. So now I know to avoid getting into those kinds of battles.
I think inevitably the interests of a boss and an employee are sometimes incompatible. A boss wants the most out of an employee with as little compensation, while an employee hopes to get the most compensation for as little "overtime" as possible.
Ultimately, I think we all reach a point or line where some employees feel like the boss is pushing too far, while others in the group don't think the boss has reached that point yet. I think that's partially what I was interested in seeing-- we as employees all have a different "point" or "line" where we feel they cross the line, but I Think we all reach it at differnet points based on our views and attitudes regarding the workforce.
Also with the "don't mind doing", I added it in because I didn't want to imply it was a hardship to accomplish the task.
A situation arose where a group of employees were supposed to work together to accomplish a task, and one insisted on not doing it, even though he didn't mind doing it, because it would "set a bad precedent for people in the future who might mind doing it". I feel that kind of work attitude is detrimental to group dynamic.
The first question is difficult. I answered in the minority because I think going above and beyond should be limited to when it is asked. If the boss realizes things are crazy and says "Mike, can you stay late?" or "Can you come in this weekend?" of course I'll always say yes.
That sort of connects to the second question in that I don't try to put too much in the way of 'above and beyond' outside of when it will be obvious and noticed. That's not to say I don't work hard most of the time, but I don't do extra, uncompensated work.
I skipped #4. I try not to brag about good things I do, but I'm certainly not silent about it, either. Like, right now I'm working on a huge project that will save us lots of time... I don't sit around and talk about how awesome it is, but I have made a point to talk with our department supervisor to say, "This is going on, you should know about it because I might need your help to get people on board."
I make sure upper management knows what I'm up to. Silent good work definitely does NOT get noticed.
Well, I tried to make it as black and white as possible to the extreme. In the end, I think if you speak up about it and point it out to your supervisor, you are "tooting your horn" in a calm, acceptable manner. I don't think all tooting needs to be obnoxious and loud.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Seriously, it's almost like you're at my job, spying on my interactions with my coworkers and supervisor.
no subject
I might call you tomorrow so we can rant? LOL.
no subject
I've been at a lot of jobs that have taken advantage of me, because I let them take advantage of me. I've worked at jobs that didn't give me the credit when it was due so I had to learn how to either stand up for myself or accept that the work environment was toxic (and leave). I didn't get the opportunity to really learn that until I'd been laid off from a place with a back-stabbing, lying wench who considered herself my boss (as she was of the whole damn planet) and an actual boss who regularly caved in to her. So now I know to avoid getting into those kinds of battles.
My $.02, YMMV
no subject
Ultimately, I think we all reach a point or line where some employees feel like the boss is pushing too far, while others in the group don't think the boss has reached that point yet. I think that's partially what I was interested in seeing-- we as employees all have a different "point" or "line" where we feel they cross the line, but I Think we all reach it at differnet points based on our views and attitudes regarding the workforce.
no subject
A situation arose where a group of employees were supposed to work together to accomplish a task, and one insisted on not doing it, even though he didn't mind doing it, because it would "set a bad precedent for people in the future who might mind doing it". I feel that kind of work attitude is detrimental to group dynamic.
no subject
That sort of connects to the second question in that I don't try to put too much in the way of 'above and beyond' outside of when it will be obvious and noticed. That's not to say I don't work hard most of the time, but I don't do extra, uncompensated work.
no subject
I make sure upper management knows what I'm up to. Silent good work definitely does NOT get noticed.
no subject