14 Oct I Should Be Entitled to (fill in the blank)
For those who live in the Tampa area, you saw something this morning that was like a new ray of sunshine. Actually, it WAS a ray of sunshine. For the past few weeks, Tampa has been hit repeatedly with downpours, flooding and an overall soppy mess. The lack of sunshine for basically the month of July made me appreciate how fortunate we are to live in a place that normally averages 244 sunny days each year. While it made me feel a bit more sympathetic for those who live in a dreary climate, I also felt a bit embarrassed. For the last 20 or so days, I woke up to the sound of rain and/or an overcast sky, and my Floridian entitlement of sunshine was making me somewhat agitated.
Then that sunshine ray truly hit me. Who the hell am I to expect–no feel entitled to–that the sun be shining in the morning?
It made me think about the issue of workplace entitlement that we’re all guilty of to some extent. How often have you heard these statements from employees (or even uttered them yourself)?
“I should get a raise each year for doing my job.” While raises at your company may be based on cost-of-living increases, a raise is likely tied to job performance and your value. Your company’s financial well-being will also be a factor for the increase probability.
“If I don’t finish the project my boss gave me to do because I started late, then I should be given a pass to finish it when I can.” We have all simply “run out of time” in the day. Sometimes, you need to buckle up, take that project home and finish it there. That way, you show your boss that while you may have missed the 5 p.m. deadline, it was important to you to complete it as soon as possible.
“I am paid a salary, so if I want to cut early out on Friday afternoon, that should be okay.” Earning a salary versus an hourly wage definitely has its benefits, but it doesn’t give you a hall pass for earning that salary. Remember that 10 a.m. doctor’s appointment you had last week? How about that long lunch? When you start abusing the no-time-clock privilege, your boss and coworkers will remember for you.
“I have children, so I expect to receive special treatment when I come in late and/or leave early.” Before the parents reading this get up at arms by this statement, please know that I was a single parent, working a ton of hours. I didn’t expect special treatment, and I busted my tail in anticipation there would be times I needed to stay home with a sick child or chose to chaperone a field trip. Because of the hours I put in, I wasn’t viewed differently from the non-parent employees.
“I am really good at what I do, so I shouldn’t be required to work the hours as everyone else.” This is a favorite of mine, because these exact words were spoken by a former employee. I don’t think there is any need for a dissertation on this one.