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We all have bad days, and even bad weeks.

However, if you want to be a good employee, you need to figure out how to keep bad decisions from becoming bad habits. If you lost your temper, complained too much or weren’t a team player –make sure you take action to correct what you did wrong.

Below is a list of a few bad habits you should be on the lookout for in your own behavior.

Poor punctuality

Professionals are expected to show up to work on time every day. While situations like bad weather make that nearly impossible, you should be coming in on time 90 to 95 percent of the time.

Being punctual doesn’t just mean punching in on time. It also means showing up to meetings on time. Regularly showing up late to meetings is a sign of disrespect to your co-workers. In essence, you are saying your time is more important than theirs.

Being ‘high maintenance’

Companies want employees who can be given instructions and turned loose to accomplish a task. They don’t want to have to answer a ton of questions for every job, or listen to complaints every time something doesn’t go as expected.

If you have questions about an assignment, make sure they are well-thought-out and targeted to provide essential details you were not given. If something unexpected happens or something doesn’t go as planned, stop and think if it’s worth complaining about, or if complaining will just make you seem whiny.

Having bad manners

Hopefully, at some point in life, you learned how people are expected to behave in the company of others. Being too loud, swearing, doing makeup or grooming in public are all big no-nos in the workplace. While you don’t have to be a perfect Miss/Mister Manners all the time, you need to keep a lid on any behaviors that most people find off-putting.

Being a bad communicator

Sometimes, people have the best of intentions, but the way they communicate makes them more of a detractor than a positive force. For instance, you may feel the need to contribute to a meeting or conversation, but if you keep interrupting other people – you’re probably doing yourself more harm than good.

Bad communicators also make things personal, when they should be focused on confronting issues. For example, if someone is always late to work, don’t call them lazy and irresponsible. Instead, address their unproductive behavior and talk about how changing it can help the entire team.

Feeding the drama

Let’s face it: Every workplace has gossip and drama. Feeding into that drama makes you a bad employee. If you think working the drama to your advantage is a way to get ahead at your company, it might be time to start looking for a new job.


At Action Group, we often coach our employees to help them reach the next stage in their career. If you’re looking to work for a staffing company with that level of support, please contact our team today!


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